Payroll Manager

Portfolio Payroll Limited; Leigh on Sea; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000

Job description

Are you an ambitious Payroll Senior or Supervisor looking for an opportunity to take ownership of payroll operations within a dynamic and growing accountancy practice?

This entrepreneurial firm is going through an exciting period of transition and expansion, requiring a proactive and commercially minded payroll professional to lead the function, drive process improvements, and deliver a high-standard payroll service to a diverse client base.

The Role:

As the Payroll Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing and developing the payroll function, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and efficiency in service delivery. You will play a key role in process transformation, contributing to system enhancements, automation, and the overall growth of the department.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Client Payroll Management:
   Oversee the end-to-end processing of multiple client payrolls across various industries, ensuring all deadlines are met with precision.
   Act as a key point of contact for clients, offering expert payroll advice, resolving queries, and maintaining strong professional relationships.
   Ensure all payroll calculations, including tax, NI, pensions, statutory payments (SSP, SMP, SPP), and deductions, are processed correctly.
   Stay up to date with legislative changes and advise clients on payroll compliance and best practices.
2. Process & System Development:
   Assess current payroll processes, identifying areas for improvement and implementing efficiency-driven changes.
   Work closely with senior management to integrate new payroll systems, streamline automation, and enhance reporting capabilities.
   Develop and document payroll procedures to standardize best practices across the team.
3. Compliance & Reporting:
   Ensure all payrolls are fully compliant with HMRC regulations, including RTI submissions and P11D reporting.
   Manage pension auto-enrolment processes, liaising with pension providers and ensuring contributions are processed accurately.
   Prepare and submit payroll reports, including financial forecasting, variance analysis, and year-end reconciliation.
   Work with auditors and external bodies during audits and compliance reviews.
4. Team Leadership & Growth:
   Support the expansion of the payroll team, taking an active role in hiring, training, and mentoring new payroll staff.
   Establish a structured payroll function with clear roles, responsibilities, and development pathways.
   Foster a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and collaboration within the team.

About You:

To thrive in this role, you will need to be a confident and commercially aware payroll professional who is eager to take ownership and drive change. The ideal candidate will have:

1. Extensive experience in a payroll leadership role, ideally within an accountancy practice or bureau environment.
2. Strong technical payroll knowledge, including UK PAYE legislation, statutory requirements, and pensions auto-enrolment.
3. Experience managing complex and multi-frequency payrolls across multiple clients.

Why Join?

Be part of an ambitious and growing accountancy practice with a clear vision for the future.
Have full autonomy to shape and lead the payroll function, driving process improvements and system transformations.
Work in a commercial, client-facing role where you can make a tangible impact on business success.
Enjoy a collaborative, supportive working environment that values innovation and professional growth.

If you are a payroll professional looking for a leadership role where you can take the reins, make strategic improvements, and grow alongside an entrepreneurial business, we want to hear from you!

To apply, please submit your CV or contact for more details.

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