Payroll Specialist (12 month contract)

A&O Shearman; Holywood; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A&O Shearman in Belfast is seeking a Payroll Specialist to join the Payroll Team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. You will handle monthly UK payrolls, data validation, and remittance processing for contractors inside IR35, ensuring accurate and timely payments.

Key duties include processing changes, calculating statutory payments, reconciling accounts, and supporting HR with queries. The role requires strong UK payroll knowledge and attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in processing a comparable sized payroll.
• Strong end-to-end knowledge of UK payroll (PAYE, NI, pensions).
• Experience with accounting/financial systems and reconciliations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word.
• Highly numerate with attention to detail.
• Organised and able to work under pressure and deadlines.
• Experience with PeopleSoft HRIS and SD Worx payroll.
• Experience with Power BI is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Process allocated UK payrolls from data collection to final outputs.
• Input, validate and process payroll changes (starters, leavers, absences, overtime, deductions).
• Calculate statutory payments, pensions, salary sacrifice and related items.
• Administer payroll and remittance for contractors inside IR35.
• Ensure HMRC notifications (tax codes, Student Loans) are applied correctly.
• Respond to employee/contractor payroll inquiries promptly.
• Liaise with HR Operations and HR Managers on payments and queries.
• Assist with benefit administration (pensions, PMI, dental).
• Month-end reconciliations, journals, and year-end processes.

Skills

End-to-end UK payroll knowledge

Numerate and detail-oriented

Microsoft Excel

Organised and deadline-driven

Payroll data integrity

Discretion with payroll data

Education

Professional payroll qualification (CIPP)

Tools

PeopleSoft HRIS

SD Worx payroll

Power BI

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Payroll Specialist to join our Payroll team, based in A&O Shearman's Belfast Office. This opportunity is available on a 12-month fixed-term contract basis.

Payroll team - Belfast

The Payroll Team is responsible for the preparation of the monthly payroll for A&O Shearman's UK based employees and posting of payroll related costs to the accounting system. In addition, it is responsible for processing the remittance for Contractors who are operating 'Inside IR35'. The team's remit is expected to expand to include UAE payroll, supporting the development of a consistent, resilient and compliant multi-jurisdictional payroll service.

What you will do

• Process allocated UK payrolls from data collection and validation through to calculation, review, authorisation support and final outputs, ensuring accurate and timely payment.
• Input, validate and process all payroll changes, including starters, leavers, contractual changes, absence, overtime, allowances, deductions and one-off payments.
• Calculate statutory and occupational payments, including family-related leave and sickness payments, together with GAYE, employee loans, salary sacrifice and other complex adjustments.
• Administer payroll and remittance arrangements for contractors operating inside IR35.
• Ensure HMRC notifications including, tax code changes and Student Loan notifications are applied correctly in the payroll
• Respond to direct employee/contractor payroll inquiries in a timely manner
• Liaise with the HR Operations team and with HR Managers regarding individual queries and payments (including calculations for the purposes of assignments or secondments)
• Assisting with benefit administration such as Pensions, PMI, Dental and salary sacrifice schemes
• Undertake the monthly reconciliation of payroll/remittance control accounts, creation of journals and year end processes
• In conjunction with the Payroll Manager:
  • Review/ authorise the monthly payroll/contractors remittance calculation prior to sign-off
  • Undertake reconciliation checks in preparation for payroll sign off
  • Prepare PAYE disbursements and submit EPS to HMRC
  • Keep up to date with new legislation and regulatory ruling impacting payroll
  • Ad hoc projects as required by the Payroll Manager

What you will have

• Proven track record in processing a comparable sized payroll and be comfortable processing complex calculations in a timely manner
• Strong end-to-end knowledge of UK payroll, including PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, pensions auto-enrolment, RTI, Benefits and Salary Sacrifice.
• Previous experience of preparing reconciliations of general ledger accounts
• Experience in Accounting and Financial systems
• Highly numerate with exemplary attention to detail
• Highly organised and able to work under pressure and to deadlines
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Excel & Word)
• Flexibility and overtime at peak times such as payroll/remittance cut off and sign off

You will stand out if you bring:

• Experience of PeopleSoft HRIS and SD Worx payroll
• Experience of Power BI
• A recognised professional payroll qualification
• CIPP Membership
• Experience working in an in-house payroll team and dealing with outsourced payroll providers
• Experience working in the professional services industry

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

A&O Shearman does not accept unsolicited CVs. For further information, please see our UK Recruitment Agency Policy and our commitment to direct sourcing here.