School Leaver Payroll Trainee (CIPP) - Peterborough - September 2027

Saffery LLP; Peterborough; Remote; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit-sharing scheme

Generous annual leave

Contributory pension plan

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Saffery Champness in Peterborough is recruiting a School Leaver Payroll Trainee (CIPP) for September 2027. You’ll train toward the CIPP qualification while delivering a full payroll service in a supportive, client‑facing team.

The 18‑month contract combines professional study with on‑the‑job learning, allowing you to process payrolls end‑to‑end, manage deadlines, handle HMRC queries and pension returns, and build client relationships as you develop.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 112 UCAS points from your top 3 A Levels or Highers (or equivalent), excluding General Studies and AS Levels.
• A minimum of 5 (or C) in GCSE or National 5 Maths and English Language (or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Process all payrolls from start to finish, including processing starter, leavers and permanent data changes
• Manage multiple deadlines for variable data and managing clients throughout their pay cycle
• Manage report processing
• Liaise directly with clients and HMRC on any salary queries
• Complete monthly pension returns
• Process and calculate statutory payments, including Statutory Maternity Pay and Statutory Sick Pay
• Manually calculate pro-rata payments such as holiday pay and hourly/daily rates of pay
• Keep abreast of new legislation, supporting the team to implement new procedures

Education

UCAS points requirement (112 points from top 3 A Levels or Highers)

GCSE Maths and English Language (minimum grade C/5)

Job description

School Leaver Payroll Trainee (CIPP) - Peterborough - September 2027

Are you looking to start your career in Payroll, helping business by providing a full and integrated payroll service?We’re seeking ambitious individuals from all backgrounds to join our team as a trainee, studying towards the CIPP qualification.

Who we are

Saffery is a partner-led and people-focused firm of chartered accountants, tax and business advisers. Since 1855, we’ve built long-term relationships with our diverse, high-profile clients, across varied and specialised sectors. As a proud member of Nexia, a worldwide network of trusted member firms, we’ve got access to local insight on a global scale.

We pride ourselves on our informal and inclusive culture, building an environment where people can be themselves and enjoy challenging, interesting, rewarding careers.

When you work with Saffery, the well-respected accountancy firm where heritage meets ambition, you work with people who know your name. Who know you as a human being, not just a job title. Everyone belongs here. Always.

Who we welcome

We recognise that talent comes from different paths, so we encourage applications from upcoming and recent school leavers or career changers. We do not expect applicants to have any prior relevant work experience.

Our training contract takes 18 months to complete with full support and access to first-class tuition centres. You’ll follow a structured development programme combining professional study with on-the-job learning. As your knowledge and confidence develop, you’ll take on more complex work, contribute to projects and build your expertise as a trusted advisor.

Key dates to apply:

Monday 2 November 2026 - Sunday 29 November 2026

We encourage early applications to avoid disappointment, as roles may close early due to high demand.

Due to the volume of applications, you may occasionally experience delays; however, we remain committed to reviewing all applications fairly. All applications are assessed by trained human reviewers, and automated tools are not used to make final decisions.

Your role and development

Your growthdoesn't just come from exams. It comes from valuable work experience and real-world learning.

What you’ll do

• Process all payrolls from start to finish, including processing starter, leavers and permanent data changes
• Manage multiple deadlines for variable data and managing clients throughout their pay cycle
• Manage report processing
• Liaise directly with clients and HMRC on any salary queries
• Complete monthly pension returns
• Process and calculate statutory payments, including Statutory Maternity Pay and Statutory Sick Pay
• Manually calculate pro-rata payments such as holiday pay and hourly/daily rates of pay
• Keep abreast of new legislation, supporting the team to implement new procedures

What you’ll learn

• Core payroll principles across UK payroll legislation and compliance
• Income tax, National Insurance and HMRC regulations
• Workplace pensions and auto-enrolment
• Holiday pay and other employment-related payments
• Statutory payments
• Managing client relationships and delivering excellent customer service
• Payroll systems, reporting tools and data management processes
• The practical application of your professional qualification studies in real-world scenarios

We’ll support you every step of the way through mentorship and structured training, as well as regular social events to build friendships with colleagues.

What you'll need

• A minimum of 112 UCAS points from your top 3 A Levels or Highers (or equivalent), excluding General Studies and AS Levels,
• A minimum of 5 (or C) in GCSE or National 5 Maths and English Language (or equivalent).

We understand that confidence plays a role in job applications, and some candidates may hesitate to apply. If this role excites you and aligns with your career ambitions, we’d love to hear from you!

Where potential meets personal meets you

At Saffery, we look for people who share our values. We're looking for individuals who are collaborative, responsible, progressive and act with integrity, whilst always striving for excellence.

You’ll be approachable, committed and ready to take ownership of your work, with a proactive and curious mindset and a genuine interest in how businesses operate. We value people who are organised, pay close attention to detail, enjoy working with financial data, and can manage their time effectively.

You'll thrive in a close-knit team environment, working collaboratively with others while taking responsibility for your own development. We want people who are willing to learn, ask questions, speak up when something could be better, and help make improvements happen.

Here, you're never just a number. We value drive, focus and a positive attitude, but we also value who you are as a person. We believe in caring more, leaving egos behind, supporting each other and enjoying the journey together. There's genuine mutual respect here and a two-way relationship where we bring out the best in each other.

We’ll help you get to know our clients, but we also look for people who are naturally inquisitive about the wider business and economic landscape. If you're curious, eager to learn, and committed to giving your best, you'll find plenty of support and opportunities to succeed as you work towards your qualification and beyond.

You’ll be surrounded by people who value you, your contributions, and your potential.

What we’ll offer you

We believe thatsupporting our people leads to success, so we provide both core and flexible benefits tailored to your needs:

• Profit-sharing scheme (approx. £1,000 per year)
• Generous annual leave & flexible work arrangements
• Contributory pension plan (5% salary match)

Work life balance & wellbeing

• Buddy scheme and/or line manager support
• Agile working policy (up to three days working from home, however in your first few months we do encourage up to 4 days in the office to reap the benefits of training around your managers and colleagues)
• Health assessments, GP access, & cancer screenings
• Access to mental health & wellbeing resources

Personal development and belonging

• Mentorship & career progression opportunities
• Participation in our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) programme
• Volunteer to join one of our People networks, including Accessibility, Cultural Heritage, Faith, LGBTQ+, Social Mobility and Gender Equality