Payroll & Financial Accounting Officer

Global Highland; Scotland; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable organization in Scotland is seeking an experienced Payroll & Financial Accounting Officer to ensure accurate payroll and pensions services. This role involves assisting with financial processes, compliance, and external audits while supporting data analysis. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in payroll and accounting, excellent numerical skills, and the ability to handle confidential information with integrity. Join a values-led team and contribute to significant operational outcomes.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a payroll and accounting professional.
• Excellent numerical skills with substantial experience using Excel.
• Strong analytical ability with experience presenting financial information clearly.
• Experience in payroll and pensions administration.
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver accurate and timely monthly payroll for staff and Board members.
• Prepare tax and pension returns to HMRC and pension providers.
• Assist with corporate accounting processes and external audits.
• Support month-end processes, including prepayments and accruals.
• Calculate project accounting claims for external funders.

Skills

Numerical skills

Analytical ability

Verbal communication

Written communication

Confidentiality

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office applications

Access Payroll

Access Financials

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and detail-driven Payroll & Financial Accounting Officer to support our clients delivery of accurate payroll, pensions administration, and financial accounting processes across the organisation.

Reporting to the Financial Accountant, you will play a key role in ensuring timely and compliant payroll and pensions services, while also contributing to monthly accounting processes, year-end accounts, and the annual external audit. This is an excellent opportunity for a payroll and accounting professional who enjoys working with data, supporting governance, and contributing to a values-led organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll & Pensions

You will support the delivery of a high-quality payroll and pensions service, including:

• Delivering accurate and timely monthly payroll for all staff and Board members
• Preparing and submitting payroll, tax, and pension returns and payments to HMRC and pension providers
• Supporting year-end payroll, tax, and pension reporting
• Assisting with the delivery of payroll services to external clients and partner organisations
• Supporting payroll modelling for annual budgeting and public sector pay policy requirements
• Assisting the Authority in meeting all statutory obligations relating to payroll, tax, and pensions

Financial Accounting & Annual Accounts

You will also support the wider financial accounting function by:

• Assisting with corporate accounting processes, financial accounts preparation, and external audit requirements
• Preparing and maintaining monthly balance sheet reconciliations
• Supporting month-end processes, including prepayments, accruals, and asset capitalisation
• Calculating and submitting project accounting claims to external funders
• Providing documentation and evidence to support external audit fieldwork
• Delivering ad hoc financial analysis and forecasting as required
• Maintaining data required for annual carbon reporting

General Responsibilities

• Contributing to the work of the Corporate Services Directorate and the organisation as a whole
• Supporting data modelling and financial analysis using strong numerical and analytical skills
• Ensuring compliance with financial procedures and internal controls
• Demonstrating flexibility to support evolving organisational priorities
• Embracing organisational values, culture, and health and safety requirements

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience as a payroll and accounting professional
• Excellent numerical skills, with substantial experience using Excel to manipulate and analyse financial data
• Strong analytical ability, with experience presenting financial information clearly and accurately
• Demonstrable experience in payroll and pensions administration
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with integrity and discretion
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications

Desirable

• Experience using Access Payroll and Access Financials accounting packages
• Experience running an organisational payroll, including all associated statutory returns
• Experience administering pension schemes, ideally the Civil Service Pension Scheme
• Knowledge of the Gaelic language