Payroll Manager

Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Job summary

Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to take ownership of payroll operations across the UK and Europe, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely delivery.

Working closely with HR, Finance and external payroll providers, you will oversee end-to-end payroll, support month-end accounting activities, financial reporting, and continuous process improvements in a growing international business.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing end-to-end payroll across multiple entities.
• Strong understanding of PAYE, National Insurance, pensions, and payroll regulations.
• Experience with UK payroll legislation and GDPR compliance is preferred.
• Excellent analytical, organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Advanced Excel skills for payroll analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage end–to–end monthly payroll across UK and European entities.
• Liaise with external payroll providers to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Review and approve payroll submissions, including starters, leavers, salary changes, bonuses, overtime, expenses, pensions, and statutory payments.
• Prepare payroll journals and ensure accurate posting into the finance system.
• Complete payroll reconciliations, investigating and resolving discrepancies.
• Reconcile payroll–related balance sheet accounts, including PAYE, National Insurance, pensions, holiday accruals, and payroll clearing accounts.
• Support month–end and year–end finance processes.
• Produce payroll reports, financial analysis, budgeting support, and payroll forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation, GDPR, and relevant European payroll regulations.
• Coordinate statutory reporting, including HMRC submissions, pensions, P60s, and P11Ds where applicable.
• Review and improve payroll processes, driving efficiencies and supporting system implementations.
• Act as the payroll subject matter expert, providing guidance and support across Finance and HR teams.

Skills

End-to-end payroll

PAYE & NI & Pensions

UK payroll legislation

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Organisational skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Confidential information handling

Tools

Excel

Job description

Payroll Manager Outskirts of Canterbury

Our client is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to take ownership of payroll operations across the UK and Europe. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional with a strong accounting background to join a growing international business, ensuring payroll is delivered accurately, efficiently, and in full compliance with statutory requirements.

Working closely with HR, Finance, external payroll providers, and senior leadership, you will oversee the end–to–end payroll process while supporting month–end accounting activities, financial reporting, and continuous process improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end–to–end monthly payroll across multiple UK and European entities.
• Liaise with external payroll providers to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Review and approve payroll submissions, including starters, leavers, salary changes, bonuses, overtime, expenses, pensions, and statutory payments.
• Prepare payroll journals and ensure accurate posting into the finance system.
• Complete payroll reconciliations, investigating and resolving discrepancies.
• Reconcile payroll–related balance sheet accounts, including PAYE, National Insurance, pensions, holiday accruals, and payroll clearing accounts.
• Support month–end and year–end finance processes.
• Produce payroll reports, financial analysis, budgeting support, and payroll forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation, GDPR, and relevant European payroll regulations.
• Coordinate statutory reporting, including HMRC submissions, pensions, P60s, and P11Ds where applicable.
• Review and improve payroll processes, driving efficiencies and supporting system implementations.
• Act as the payroll subject matter expert, providing guidance and support across Finance and HR teams.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience managing end–to–end payroll.
• Excellent understanding of PAYE, National Insurance, pensions, statutory payments, and UK payroll legislation.
• Strong knowledge of month–end finance processes.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical, organisational, and problem–solving skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to manage confidential information.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

The company is offering a competitive salary and benefits package, including company pension, private medical insurance, life assurance, and the opportunity to play a key role within a growing international business.