Payroll Manager

JMF Associates; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

JMF Associates, in partnership with a growing Accountancy Practice in London, seeks an experienced Payroll Manager to own a busy payroll function handling 500+ client payrolls. You will lead one Payroll Administrator and ensure deadlines, accuracy, and strong client relationships.

You will apply UK payroll knowledge, HMRC compliance, and year-end tasks while continually improving processes and delivering high-quality service to clients.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing high-volume, multi-client payrolls within Accountancy Practice environments.
• Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation and HMRC processes.
• Confident leading and developing staff, even within a small team structure.
• Excellent communication skills with a client-focused approach.
• High level of accuracy, organisation, and problem-solving ability.
• Experience with payroll software (e.g., Sage, BrightPay, Iris, etc.) is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end processing of over 500 client payrolls, ensuring all deadlines are met.
• Lead, support, and develop one member of payroll staff, providing guidance and quality oversight.
• Ensure compliance with all UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements, and statutory reporting.
• Oversee payroll audits, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Act as the main point of contact for client queries, providing expert advice and resolving issues promptly.
• Maintain and improve payroll processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Prepare and submit RTI, pension contributions, and year-end returns, including P60s and P11Ds.
• Work closely with internal teams to support wider business operations.

Skills

High-volume payroll management

Team leadership

UK payroll legislation

HMRC compliance

Client relationship management

Attention to detail

Tools

Sage

BrightPay

IRIS

Job description

JMF Associates are partnering with a growing Accountancy Practice that is seeking an experienced and highly organised Payroll Manager to take ownership of their busy payroll function, overseeing the delivery of over 500 client payrolls and managing one Payroll Administrator. This is a hands‑on leadership role suited to someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, maintains exceptional accuracy, and enjoys building strong client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end processing of over 500 client payrolls, ensuring all deadlines are met.
• Lead, support, and develop one member of payroll staff, providing guidance and quality oversight.
• Ensure compliance with all UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements, and statutory reporting.
• Oversee payroll audits, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Act as the main point of contact for client queries, providing expert advice and resolving issues promptly.
• Maintain and improve payroll processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Prepare and submit RTI, pension contributions, and year-end returns, including P60s and P11Ds.
• Work closely with internal teams to support wider business operations.

It is expected that the Payroll Manager will:

• Proven experience managing high-volume, multi-client payrolls within Accountancy Practice environments.
• Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation and HMRC processes.
• Confident leading and developing staff, even within a small team structure.
• Excellent communication skills with a client-focused approach.
• High level of accuracy, organisation, and problem-solving ability.
• Experience with payroll software (e.g., Sage, BrightPay, Iris, etc.) is highly desirable.