Payroll Senior

Affinia; Sidcup; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

23 days holiday

Study support

Pension

Hybrid working

Dress for your diary

Job summary

Affinia is a UK payroll-focused accountancy firm seeking a Payroll Senior to lead complex client payrolls, oversee end-to-end processing, and mentor junior staff within a hybrid working model.

You'll build strong client relationships, ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation, and drive process improvements while maintaining accuracy and data security across a diverse portfolio.

Qualifications

• Accounting, Tax, and/or Payroll qualifications are desirable/useful but not essential.
• Proven experience within a payroll function, ideally in a practice setting.
• Experience handling complex payroll scenarios.
• Experience in mentoring others and leading a small team.
• Expert in payroll software and advanced MS Excel.
• Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong communication skills with clients and colleagues.
• Proactive, client-focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage and oversee end-to-end processing of a diverse portfolio of client payrolls.
• Ensure timely and accurate calculation of gross pay, deductions, and pension contributions.
• Oversee year-end processing and statutory reporting.
• Act as a primary contact for an allocated client portfolio, building strong relationships.
• Proactively manage client expectations regarding deadlines and scope.
• Identify opportunities for value-added services for clients.
• Resolve complex client queries ensuring high satisfaction.
• Implement and maintain robust internal quality control for payroll processes.
• Mitigate risks related to payroll accuracy, compliance, and data security (e.g., GDPR).
• Ensure compliance with current payroll legislation (HMRC, TPR).
• Conduct internal audits to maintain service excellence.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior payroll staff.
• Review work and provide constructive feedback to ensure accuracy.
• Assist with training and onboarding of new team members.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation to enhance efficiency.
• Contribute to development and optimisation of payroll systems and workflows.
• Manage personal and team WIP to ensure timely billing and profitability.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Mentoring

Payroll software

Advanced MS Excel

UK payroll legislation

Attention to detail

Client communication

Proactive client focus

Tools

Payroll software

Job description

About Affinia

Affinia is the UK’s fastest growing purpose‑led, purpose‑built Accountancy firm, focused on building stronger, more valuable relationships.

With over 1000 colleagues across the East, Southeast, London and the Midlands, we are dedicated to supporting our clients, colleagues and communities.

We advise businesses, public sector organisations, charities and individuals throughout the UK and internationally across six Service Lines – Accounts Solution, Taxation, Audit & Assurance, Corporate Finance, Payroll and Corporate Recovery, supported by centralised enabling functions spanning People, Finance, Marketing, Business Support, IT, Risk and Corporate Development. Our team also offer in‑depth sector expertise across a number of sectors, ensuring our clients receive the best short to medium and long‑term advice, tailored to them.

We are committed to delivering excellence in every aspect of our work, adapting to the evolving technology and regulatory landscape while consistently exceeding client expectations.

Our people are our most valuable asset. We are therefore committed to supporting our colleagues throughout their professional development, providing guidance and training at whatever stage of their career they join us.

Real people. Real growth. Real difference.

Purpose Of The Role

As a Payroll Senior your role has a greater focus on leadership, strategic input, and complex problem‑solving than at Semi Senior level. You will play a pivotal role in delivering high‑quality payroll services, managing client relationships, and contributing to the development of the payroll team and service line. You’ll move away from processing the simple client payrolls and be able to independently process the more complex clients.

We operate a hybrid working policy, so you will be able to combine working from Affinia’s office, client’s offices when required, and from home when you are able.

Affinia provides access to technical training and soft skills training through platforms such as Croner‑i, Mercia, Tolley’s and LinkedIn Learning, which you will be able to access. We are committed to supporting your learning professionally and personally and recognise the value that L&D offers to you and to us as an organisation.

Accountabilities

• Independently manage and oversee the end‑to‑end processing of a diverse portfolio of client payrolls
• Ensure timely and accurate calculation of gross pay, deductions, statutory payments and pension contributions.
• Oversee year‑end processing and other statutory reporting.
• Act as a primary point of contact and trusted advisor for an allocated client portfolio, building strong, lasting relationships.
• Proactively manage client expectations regarding deadlines, scope, and service delivery.
• Identify and advise clients on opportunities for value‑added services
• Effectively resolve complex client queries and issues, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction.
• Implement and maintain robust internal quality control procedures for all payroll processes.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to payroll accuracy, compliance, and data security (e.g., GDPR).
• Ensure 100% compliance with current and new payroll legislation (HMRC, TPR, etc.), implementing necessary changes efficiently.
• Conduct internal audits and reviews to maintain service excellence and minimise errors.
• Provide guidance, support, and technical mentorship to junior payroll administrators and semi‑seniors.
• Review work performed by junior staff, providing constructive feedback and ensuring accuracy.
• Assist with the training and onboarding of new team members.
• Foster a collaborative and high‑performing team environment.
• Identify and implement opportunities for process improvements and automation within the payroll function to enhance efficiency and reduce processing times.
• Contribute to the continuous development and optimisation of payroll systems and workflows.
• Manage personal and team WIP (Work in Progress) effectively to ensure timely billing and contribute to service line profitability.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of all relevant payroll legislation, software updates, and industry best practices.
• Actively participate in professional development activities to enhance skills and knowledge.

Skills / Qualifications

• Accounting, Tax, and/or Payroll qualifications are desirable/useful but not essential
• Proven experience within a payroll function ideally in a Practice setting
• Experience in handling complex Payroll scenarios
• Experience of managing and mentoring others
• Expert in Payroll software
• Advanced MS Excel skills
• Strong understanding and application of UK Payroll legislation
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong communication skills with clients and colleagues alike
• Proactive, client‑focused approach.

Culture & Core Benefits

At Affinia, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:

• 23 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays.
• Full study support including tuition fees and paid study days
• Professional membership support
• Auto enrolment Pension Scheme
• Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
• Dress for your Diary Policy

Affinia is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible and agile roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Affinia is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.

Recruitment Privacy Notice

Affinia will use the personal data you provide for recruitment purposes, including assessing suitability, communicating with you, arranging interviews, and completing pre‑employment checks. Our lawful bases include contractual necessity, legal obligations, and our legitimate interests in managing recruitment. For full details on how we handle personal data, please see our Privacy Policy: https://www.affinia.co.uk/privacy-policy/