Payroll Assistant

* 12 month maternity cover contract - with scope for the right individual
* Opportunity to join a fast-growing, successful business
* CIPP Part/Qualified desirable
Howarth Morris are recruiting for an experienced Payroll Assistant to join a leading, fast-growing business on the outskirts of Manchester for a 12 month maternity cover contract.
You will play a crucial role in ensuring accurate and timely processing of the fortnightly payroll.
Responsibilities:
- Preparing and processing fortnightly payroll for approximately 1,500 employees.
- Accurate calculation of staff hours, considering salaries, overtime, bonuses, taxes/NI and other deductions.
- Input and maintain accurate employee payroll records whilst ensuring data integrity.
- Process new hires, terminations, and changes in employee status.
- Verify timesheets, leave records, and attendance information.
- Collaborate with HR to ensure accurate employee data and resolve discrepancies.
- Calculate and process statutory deductions, including income tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions / administration.
- Assist with year-end payroll processes, including P60s and P11Ds.
- Complete P45s, P46s and other related administration in the correct time allocation periods.
- Respond to employee payroll enquiries and provide excellent customer service.
- Stay updated with UK payroll regulations and ensure compliance.
- Support the finance team in various ad-hoc tasks and projects.
- To provide monthly statistical data reports to Head of HR.
- To be responsible for the compilation and submission of salary survey data.
- To maintain absolute discretion and maturity in handling sensitive/confidential data in line with the GDPR.
- To maintain the administration of benefits schemes such as the company auto-enrolment pension scheme, childcare vouchers and cycle schemes.
- To administer Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), Statutory Maternity Pay and Statutory Paternity Pay alongside our enhanced benefits.
Skills & Experience:
- Extensive Payroll knowledge.
- CIPP Qualified (or working towards a recognised qualification) is highly desired.
- Familiarity with payroll software systems to efficiently manage payroll data, process transactions, and generate reports. Use of Advanced Payroll Software is desirable but not essential
- A thorough understanding of payroll regulations, taxes and PAYE procedures.
- Strong mathematical skills and an attention to detail for high-level data accuracy.
- Proficiency in maintaining organised payroll records and documents for auditing and reporting purposes.
- Skilled at identifying potential payroll discrepancies and addressing them proactively.
- Good use of Microsoft Excel for spreadsheets, records and reports, as well as knowledge and use of pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions.
- Customer-oriented mindset to provide exceptional support to employees with their payroll enquiries and concerns.
A competitive annual salary is on offer along with leading benefits including an annual bonus scheme, enhanced maternity/paternity/shared parental leave packages, health and wellbeing services, free on-site parking, staff discounts and access to discount portals.
This position is temporary to cover a period of maternity leave, which is anticipated to last for 12 months, and the ongoing position would be reviewed at that stage.