Payroll Officer

toadhall-nursery; Hitchin; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A childcare organization located in Hitchin is searching for a Payroll Officer who will oversee payroll processes, maintain records, and ensure compliance with UK regulations. The ideal candidate should have over 3 years of payroll experience, a CIPP qualification, and strong skills in Excel and communication. This hybrid role involves preparing monthly payroll runs, responding to payroll queries, and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives. A satisfactory Enhanced DBS check is required to ensure child safeguarding.

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience in a payroll department for a multi-site organisation.
• Solid knowledge of UK payroll regulations and statutory compliance.
• Proficiency in handling confidential financial data.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly payroll runs and maintain payroll records.
• Act as the contact point for payroll queries.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC RTI requirements.

Skills

UK payroll regulations knowledge

Attention to detail

Multi-tasking

Communication skills

Excel proficiency

Education

CIPP qualification

Tools

Sage

Timesheet Portal

Job description

Payroll Officer

Hitchin Head Office based (hybrid - minimum of 2 days per week in the office) - SG5 1RT

Reports to: Head of Finance

Salary: £35-40k, dependent on experience

Travel is required to other Toad Hall settings or locations as part of the role. Use this link to “find out more about our locations”.

What you’ll be doing

As our Payroll Officer, you’ll be preparing monthly payroll runs, ensuring that all payroll amendments are administered correctly and accurately, acting as point of contact for payroll enquiries and performing any ad‑hoc payroll requests.

• Maintain payroll records, input data, and reconcile information within the payroll system.
• Ensure that all payroll amendments are administered correctly, are accurately reflected in our payroll system and processed within agreed deadlines.
• Calculate payroll for starters, leavers & contractual changes ensuring data integrity across HR and payroll systems.
• Prepare monthly payroll runs, review for accuracy and follow up on any amendments, ensuring timely processing of data to meet HMRC Real Time Information (RTI) requirements.
• Act as a point of contact for payroll queries, providing assistance to nursery managers and staff members, ensuring that all queries are resolved effectively and promptly.
• Help managers understand complex payroll and pension queries such as PAYE, NI and Salary Sacrifice.
• Produce payroll reports, analysis and ad‑hoc insights to support decision making.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in payroll processes and systems and undertake payroll projects to introduce or improve processes and enhance payroll workflows.
• Perform ad‑hoc payroll requests as requested.

Managing the Payroll Inbox

• Ensure that all statutory obligations (e.g. Income Tax, National Insurance, pensions) are met in line with current legislation.
• Assist in the administration of the company pension scheme in accordance with Pension Regulations, including monthly submissions, opt‑outs etc.
• Maintain and update accounts links and cost centres on both the payroll and accounting systems.
• Assume responsibility for assisting with benefits administration.
• Support year‑end processes, including P60s, P11Ds, and audit requirements.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and confidentiality of employee information.

Suitable People: Toad Hall Nursery Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants invited to interview will be required to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK and complete a suitability declaration. Successful applicants will also be required to have an enhanced DBS check, provide two satisfactory references and provide a certificate of good conduct (if you have lived outside the UK for more than 6 months in the last 5 years) before starting work with Toad Hall.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. We take safeguarding seriously and follow safe recruitment procedures.

Essential skills and experience

• 3+ years’ experience of working in a payroll department serving a multi‑site organisation.
• Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) qualification.
• Solid knowledge of UK payroll regulations (IR35, PAYE) and statutory compliance.
• Experience of zero‑hour payroll.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to multi‑task and manage a busy and varied workload.
• Proficiency in handling confidential financial data with discretion.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the finance and HR teams.
• Strong Excel and finance / CRM system skills (e.g., Timesheet Portal, Sage etc).
• Exceptional communication skills; written, verbal, and interpersonal.
• Access to own transport to visit nursery settings.
• Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.
• Experience of ADP is preferable, but not essential.

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