Payroll Assistant

Zenith Advisory Partners Ltd; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave (including bank)

Company pension - 5%

Sick pay

Additional leave

Employee discount

Health & wellbeing programme

On-site parking

Referral programme

Job summary

Zenith Advisory Partners in Carlisle is seeking a Payroll Assistant to join a busy payroll team. You will help ensure employees are paid accurately and on time, supporting payroll processing across a diverse workforce.

The role suits someone with payroll experience, who is highly organized, reliable and capable of handling confidential information. You will interact with HR and managers, enjoy working to deadlines and contributing to continuous improvement of payroll processes.

Qualifications

• Experience in payroll administration, preferably in a high-volume environment.
• Strong numerical skills, accuracy, and confidentiality.
• Ability to work to deadlines and communicate clearly with colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Process, manage and maintain monthly payroll and Time & Attendance software.
• Maintain employee payroll records including starters, leavers and amendments.
• Process overtime, allowances, deductions and adjustments.
• Handle payroll queries from employees and managers with timely responses.
• Complete statutory payroll requirements (PAYE, NI, pensions).
• Ensure payroll changes have proper authorisation and reconcile reports.
• Support year-end processes and audits; assist with improvements.
• Liaise with HR, Finance and operations to resolve issues.

Skills

Payroll admin

High-volume payroll

Attention to detail

Numerical accuracy

Deadline driven

Confidentiality

Customer service

Excel

Payroll systems

Team player

Tools

Payroll software

Time & Attendance software

Job description

Zenith Advisory Partners are working with a reputable and established business in Carlisle that are seeking an organised, accurate and proactive Payroll Assistant to join a busy payroll team within a leading business. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with payroll experience who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and wants to develop their career within payroll. You will play a key role in ensuring their employees are paid accurately and on time, supporting payroll processing across a diverse workforce.

Key Responsibilities

• Process, manage and maintain both the monthly payroll and Time and Attendance software accurately and within agreed deadlines.
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records, including starters, leavers and amendments.
• Process overtime, allowances, deductions, and other payroll adjustments.
• Manage payroll queries from employees and managers, providing professional and timely responses.
• Complete statutory payroll requirements, including PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and statutory payments.
• Ensure all payroll changes are supported by appropriate authorisation.
• Reconcile payroll reports and investigate discrepancies.
• Liaise with HR, Finance and operational teams to resolve payroll issues.
• Support year-end processes, including P60s and other statutory reporting.
• Assist with payroll audits and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills & Experience Required

• Experienced in payroll administration, ideally within a high-volume payroll environment.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Confident working with numbers and identifying discrepancies.
• Comfortable working to tight deadlines.
• Able to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• A strong communicator with excellent customer service skills.
• Competent using Microsoft Excel and payroll systems.
• Able to work independently while also being a strong team player.
• Keen to develop their knowledge and career within payroll.

What's on Offer

• Salary up to £30,000, depending on experience.
• 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays)
• Company pension - 5%
• Sick pay
• Additional leave
• Employee discount
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Referral programme