Payroll Senior

Hollybank Trustees Ltd; Sidcup; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Affinia is seeking a Payroll Senior to lead complex client payrolls with a focus on leadership, strategic input, and compliance. You will move beyond routine processing to manage high‑value cases, oversee the payroll team, and contribute to service line development.

The role operates under a hybrid policy, combining office, client site, and home working. You will maintain strong client relationships, ensure accurate pay calculations, and uphold data security standards (GDPR).

Responsibilities

• Independently manage 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 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

Job description

Location: Hybrid / Sidcup, UK

Job type: Permanent / Full-time

Sector and subsector: Finance & Legal | Accounting & Payroll

Salary: Competitive salary

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.

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, clients’ 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.