Remote Payroll & Finance Officer for Schools

JGA Recruitment; Chester; Remote; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote working

Occasional travel to Cheshire office

5 weeks' annual leave

Bank holidays

Local Government Pension Scheme

Training plan

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

JGA Recruitment Group are working exclusively with a growing education organisation to recruit a Payroll & Finance Officer into their central team. This role combines payroll and finance and is currently ~75% payroll, 25% finance, with ownership of in-house payroll across multiple academies.

The role reports to the Finance Manager, handling day-to-day payroll operations, pensions, submissions and queries, while supporting reconciliations and month-end tasks in a remote-first setup with

Qualifications

• Current or recent experience running payroll end-to-end.
• Experience in education, academy or school payroll is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of PAYE, pensions and UK payroll legislation.
• Experience with Teachers' Pensions and LGPS would be advantageous.
• Experience using payroll software.
• AAT qualification or equivalent accounting knowledge.
• Excellent Excel and MS Office skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to meet payroll deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end monthly payroll for multiple academies and the central team.
• Ensure payroll calculations, deductions and submissions are accurate and completed within agreed deadlines.
• Manage payroll-related queries and liaise with employees, schools, senior stakeholders and external bodies including HMRC and pension providers.
• Manage Teachers' Pensions and Local Government Pension Scheme requirements, including relevant forms, returns and deductions.
• Complete monthly payroll and budget reconciliations, investigating and explaining variances.
• Upload monthly payroll costs to the finance system and support the wider finance team with reporting and administration.
• Review and approve academy invoices and assist with month-end routines.
• Support bank reconciliations, the asset register and wider financial administration.
• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues on payroll and finance matters.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and finance processes as the organisation continues to grow.

Skills

Excel

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Independent worker

MS Office

Education

AAT qualification or equivalent experience

Tools

Payroll software

Job description

JGA Recruitment Group are working exclusively with a growing education organisation to recruit a Payroll & Finance Officer into their central team. This role combines payroll and finance and is currently ~75% payroll, 25% finance, with ownership of in-house payroll across multiple academies.

The role reports to the Finance Manager, handling day-to-day payroll operations, pensions, submissions and queries, while supporting reconciliations and month-end tasks in a remote-first setup with