Junior Payroll Administrator

Fresh People; Harbledown; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Fresh People in Canterbury, Kent is seeking a Junior Payroll Administrator to join their payroll team. The role offers hands-on payroll exposure and a pathway to develop within payroll.

You will support weekly and monthly payroll processing and handle routine payroll admin tasks. The ideal candidate has some hands-on payroll experience, excel competence, and a keen eye for detail, with a genuine interest in building a long-term career in payroll.

Qualifications

• Previous hands-on payroll experience in any industry.
• Experience in roles such as Payroll Assistant or Payroll Trainee is valued.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Strong numerical and administrative skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good communication and organisational skills.
• Interest in developing a long-term career in payroll.
• Full UK driving licence and access to your own transport.
• Experience using payroll software such as Sage Payroll, Xero, iTrent, STAR, IRIS or similar would be advantageous, Opera particularly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support weekly and monthly payroll processing.
• Input and check payroll information.
• Process starters, leavers and payroll amendments.
• Maintain accurate employee and payroll records.
• Process timesheets, attendance and absence information.
• Assist with statutory payments and deductions.
• Support pension and Auto Enrolment administration.
• Prepare payroll reports and documentation.
• Respond to payroll queries.
• Maintain Excel spreadsheets and payroll data.
• Provide general payroll and administrative support.

Skills

Payroll experience

Excel

Attention to detail

Numerical skills

Communication

Organisational

Long-term payroll career

Driving licence

Payroll software familiarity

Tools

Sage Payroll

Xero

iTrent

STAR

IRIS

Opera

Job description

Fresh People are currently recruiting for a Junior Payroll Administrator to join a well-established business based in Canterbury, Kent.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who already has some hands‑on payroll experience and is looking to continue developing their career within payroll. You do not need to be an experienced Payroll Administrator - we are keen to speak with candidates who have gained practical payroll exposure within a Payroll Assistant, Payroll Trainee, Finance & Payroll or similar position.

The Role

Working as part of an established team, you will support the accurate and timely processing of payroll while providing day-to-day payroll administration.

• Supporting weekly and monthly payroll processing
• Inputting and checking payroll information
• Processing starters, leavers and payroll amendments
• Maintaining accurate employee and payroll records
• Processing timesheets, attendance and absence information
• Assisting with statutory payments and deductions
• Supporting pension and Auto Enrolment administration
• Preparing payroll reports and documentation
• Responding to payroll queries
• Maintaining Excel spreadsheets and payroll data
• Providing general payroll and administrative support

About You

We are looking for someone with:

• Previous hands‑on payroll experience in any industry
• Experience gained as a Payroll Assistant, Payroll Administrator, Payroll Trainee or within a combined finance/payroll position
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong numerical and administrative skills
• Good communication and organisational skills
• A genuine interest in developing a long‑term career within payroll
• Full UK driving licence and access to your own transport
• Experience using payroll software such as Sage Payroll, Xero, iTrent, STAR, IRIS or similar would be advantageous. Experience using Opera would be particularly desirable.

What's on Offer?

• Salary of £28,000 per annum
• Permanent, full‑time position
• Opportunity to develop your payroll knowledge and experience
• Supportive working environment
• Long‑term career development

If you have some practical payroll experience and are looking for the next step in your career, we would love to hear from you.