Senior Associate, Payroll Delivery, Manchester

Ernst & Young; Manchester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Total Rewards package

Career development

Job summary

Ernst & Young in Manchester is seeking a Senior Payroll Associate to join our UK Payroll Operate. You will manage payroll delivery for a portfolio of clients, ensure accuracy and compliance, and report on KPIs while supporting payroll leadership.

The role requires strong payroll processing experience, Iris software knowledge, and a proactive coaching approach. Competitive rewards and opportunities for development are offered.

Qualifications

• 3 years of end-to-end payroll processing experience.
• Experience with Iris payroll software.
• CIPP or alternative payroll qualification desirable.
• Experience in payroll implementation or service delivery.
• Previous Big 4 payroll bureau experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll data for each pay period accurately.
• Set up new joiners and terminating employees on the payroll software.
• Import pay data into the payroll software.
• Prepare payroll reports and general ledger reports.
• Ensure RTI, Auto Enrolment and Apprentice Levy compliance.
• Coach and support Associates; handle complex queries with escalation when needed.
• Review client deliverables for accuracy and monitor payroll controls.
• Identify process improvements and participate in system testing.

Skills

Payroll processing

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Deadline driven

Communication skills

Education

CIPP (desirable)

Tools

Iris payroll software

Mercury

Excel

Job description

We are currently looking for Senior Payroll Associates to join our growing UK Payroll Operate in Manchester! This is an excellent opportunity to join our fast-growing payroll team within EY. Reporting to the Payroll Manager, the successful candidate will be part of a team with responsibility for the successful payroll implementation or delivery of payroll services for new and existing clients. You will need to ensure all payrolls are executed to a high standard, manage stakeholders, report on internal EY metrics and build positive relationships across the firm. As part of this role, you will also need to prioritise your time and workload to ensure payrolls are delivered on time. The role will focus on managing and processing a portfolio of payroll clients, offering an excellent service and help implementing best practise initiatives and the candidate must have a high level of accuracy and attention to detail,

• Processing the payroll data each pay period in a timely and accurate manner
• Setting up new joiners and terminating employees on the payroll software
• Importing pay data into the payroll software
• Manual calculation of pro‑rated payments for joiners/leavers
• Processing statutory payments
• Calculating retrospective payments
• Setting up pay components within the payroll software to include linking for overtime payments
• Calculating the PAYE tax, NI and Apprenticeship Levy amounts payable
• Complete payroll reports, including bespoke financial reports such as general ledger reports
• Ensuring regulatory compliance i.e., RTI, Auto Enrolment and Apprentice Levy.
• Creating BACS files for the payment of employees, and ensuring calendar invites are set up per annum
• Issuing payslips / P45's and P60's to employees
• Completing all necessary checklists for audit purposes
• Set up and administration of pensions information
• Executing management reports and KPI reports on the payroll process.
• Providing other management information to Payroll Leadership, as required.
• Identify and implement process improvements within the team, ensuring client payrolls are processed effectively and efficiently.
• Participation in payroll system testing to ensure software meets all legislative requirements.

Reviewing

• Complete a detailed review of payrolls that have been processed by Associates to ensure 100% accuracy
• Review all emails and client deliverables that have been compiled by Associates before sending to the client
• Ensuring that the client mailbox is monitored, and emails are responded to and filed in an accurate and timely manner.
• Providing subject matter advice and support to junior associates and clients.
• Ensuring all internal EY quality and risk management activities are completed on behalf of each client.
• Reviewing client contracts to understand fees, scope and contractual requirements.
• Ensuring all payroll controls are executed and any issues with the payroll are identified and resolved.
• Participation in annual ISAE certification process

Handovers

• Reviewing incoming work from transitions to ensure team understands payroll scope of work and specific client processes.
• Ensure that all your work is covered when going on periods of annual leave. All necessary handovers should be made prior to leaving for annual leave
• Help when other colleagues are going off on leave to ensure that their payrolls are completed during their absence

Engagement Financials

• Review of Billing Reconciliation Template with hires, leavers, number of employees and any additional agreed fees
• Review of prepared bills in Mercury
• Checking previous bills have been paid and are up to date
• Sending Billing to clients each month
• Monitoring engagements to ensure accurate recording of time, identifying changes in margin and tracking revenue.
• Providing Payroll Leadership with reporting on engagement financials.

Coaching and Training

• Proactively coach and share your knowledge with our Associates to help them upskill
• Prepare and deliver internal training on key payroll and EY topics.
• Monitor the performance of our Associates, and where knowledge gaps are identified, proactively suggest remedial action to management through internal or external training
• Support our Associates by being the first escalation point for complex queries which you will use your knowledge and experience to see through to resolution, or escape to Management when required
• Provide constructive feedback to junior associates as part of quarterly feedback cycles.
• Participate in all EY LEAD and coaching activities. Good knowledge and understanding of payroll compliance and best practice

Additional Qualifications

• Excellent IT Skills and highly competent with Word, Excel and Outlook
• Good workload management skills and ability to work to deadlines
• Ability to handle increasingly high volume of work in a fast paced, deadline driven environment in a calm manner
• Understanding of payroll compliance including AE, RTI, Apprenticeship Levy, Employment Allowance
• Understanding of financial service regulator processes such as know your client and anti-money laundering
• Previous experience in a Big 4 firm of payroll bureau is desirable

To qualify for the role, you must have

• 3 years of end-to-end payroll processing experience and knowledge
• Experience with Iris payroll software
• CIPP or alternative payroll qualification desirable but not essential
• Experience in payroll implementation or service delivery

What we look for

• A self‑motivated team player with excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Critical Thinking - ability to work under own initiative to solve problems either by research or by signposting how problems can be solved
• Flexibility - to meet the demands of the position (i.e., quick turnarounds)
• Proactive approach to coaching and knowledge sharing
• Improvement minded individuals

We offer a competitive remuneration package where you'll be rewarded for your individual and team performance. Our comprehensive Total Rewards package includes support for flexible working and career development, and with FlexEY you can select benefits that suit your needs, covering holidays, health and well‑being, insurance, savings and a wide range of discounts, offers and promotions.

Benefits

• Support, coaching and feedback from some of the most engaging colleagues around
• Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career
• The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that's right for you