UK Payroll Specialist

Job Title: Assistant Manager – Payroll

Job Overview:
We are looking for an experienced and detail-oriented Assistant Manager – Payroll to oversee the payroll operations for the company. This role involves managing the payroll team, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, compliance with relevant labor laws, and providing strategic support to the HR and Finance departments. The AM – Payroll will be responsible for supervising payroll staff, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and managing payroll-related queries.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Team Management & Leadership:

2. Supervise, mentor, and provide leadership to the payroll team to ensure efficiency and accuracy in payroll processing.

3. Assign tasks to payroll team members, set priorities, and manage workloads.

4. Provide training and development opportunities to payroll staff to enhance skills and knowledge.

5. Payroll Processing & Accuracy:

6. Oversee the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring timely and accurate payment of wages, benefits, and bonuses.

7. Review payroll calculations, including hours worked, overtime, deductions, and allowances.

8. Monitor and resolve any payroll discrepancies or errors, ensuring a smooth payroll run each cycle.

9. Compliance & Regulatory Adherence:

10. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and payroll laws and tax regulations, including wage and hour laws, tax withholdings, and reporting requirements.

11. Stay up to date with changes in tax laws, employee benefits regulations, and other payroll-related legislation.

12. Ensure the proper filing of payroll tax returns and any other mandatory government reports.

13. Payroll Reporting & Analytics:

14. Prepare and present accurate payroll reports for management, including summaries of payroll expenses, tax withholdings, and other related data.

15. Analyze payroll data and provide insights to senior management to assist with decision-making, budgeting, and forecasting.

16. Ensure the generation of required statutory reports on time.

17. Employee Queries & Resolution:

18. Act as the point of contact for escalated payroll-related issues and queries from employees and management.

19. Provide clear and timely responses to employee payroll inquiries, including tax calculations, deductions, and other payroll concerns.

20. Payroll Systems & Process Improvement:

21. Work with HRIS and payroll software systems to ensure smooth payroll operations and data accuracy.

22. Identify opportunities to streamline payroll processes and recommend improvements for better efficiency and compliance.

23. Coordinate with IT and other departments to implement system upgrades or changes.

24. Payroll Audits & Documentation:

25. Assist with internal and external payroll audits to ensure compliance with company policies and statutory regulations.

26. Maintain accurate and up-to-date payroll records and ensure proper documentation for audits and reporting purposes.

27. Collaboration with Other Departments:

28. Collaborate with HR, Finance, and other departments to ensure the accurate integration of payroll-related data.

29. Support the Finance team in budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting related to payroll costs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 4-6 years of experience in UK Payroll processing, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• In-depth knowledge of payroll procedures, taxation, and compliance.
• Proficiency in payroll software (e.g., ADP, Workday, SAP) and HRIS systems.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret payroll data and reports.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage and resolve employee issues.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Certification in Payroll (e.g., CPP - Certified Payroll Professional) is a plus.
• Knowledge of additional software systems such as Microsoft Excel for payroll reporting and analysis.