Finance and Payroll Administrator

SGS; Kildare; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme + Life Assurance

Maternity & Paternity Top Up

Gym Discount

22 Days Annual Leave

Health & Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

SGS in Naas, Co. Kildare, is seeking a Finance and Payroll Administrator to support payroll, AR, AP and month-end processes. The role involves maintaining payroll records, resolving issues and ensuring compliance with finance policies.

It is a 40-hour-per-week, permanent position with a salary in the 32,000–35,000 EUR range. Key duties include processing payroll, managing reconciliations, assisting with VAT and grants, and driving process improvements.

Qualifications

• Leaving Certificate or equivalent required.
• One year’s experience in administration or a similar role is essential.
• A certificate or QQI Level 5–6 in a related discipline is an advantage but not essential.
• Experience working in a busy finance, payroll or accounts administration environment.
• Practical understanding of payroll administration, payroll controls and confidential employee data handling.
• Experience in accounts receivable, credit control, accounts payable, reconciliations and month-end support.
• Experience working with ERP systems, payroll systems, online banking platforms and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong Excel skills with reconciliations, reporting schedules and data checks.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the administration of payroll, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely processing.
• Maintain employee payroll records and process payroll-related changes, leave adjustments, expenses, and benefits.
• Support accounts receivable activities including invoicing, credit control, customer account management, cash allocation, and debt collection.
• Assist with accounts payable processes, supplier invoice management, reconciliations, and payment administration.
• Prepare payroll, debtor, creditor, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Support month-end close activities, including journals, accruals, reporting, and financial analysis.
• Assist with VAT returns, audits, compliance requirements, and financial controls.
• Support ERR reporting, IDA grant administration, and the preparation of associated documentation and reconciliations.
• Maintain accurate finance records and contribute to continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Build strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, Shared Service Centres, suppliers, and customers.

Skills

Payroll administration

Accounts receivable

Accounts payable

Excel

Data accuracy

Communication

Analytical skills

Education

Leaving Certificate

QQI Level 5–6 (advantage)

Tools

ERP systems

Payroll systems

Online banking platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are SGS – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world. Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability.

The Finance Operations & Payroll Administrator plays an important role in supporting the Finance Department and wider business by ensuring accurate, timely and controlled execution of key finance activities across payroll, accounts receivable, credit control, accounts payable, month-end reporting, general finance administration, tax compliance, grant administration and general finance operations.

The role supports the Financial Controller by maintaining strong financial records, preparing reconciliations and supporting schedules, following up on outstanding actions, helping to resolve transactional issues, and ensuring that finance processes are completed in line with company policy, internal controls and statutory requirements.

Job Description

ROLE OVERVIEW

• Job Title: Finance and Payroll Administrator
• Job Type: Permanent
• Location: Naas, Co. Kildare
• Hours: 40
• Salary: 32,000 - 35,000 p.a. DOE

overview of the role

• Coordinate the administration of payroll, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely processing.
• Maintain employee payroll records and process payroll-related changes, leave adjustments, expenses, and benefits.
• Support accounts receivable activities including invoicing, credit control, customer account management, cash allocation, and debt collection.
• Assist with accounts payable processes, supplier invoice management, reconciliations, and payment administration.
• Prepare payroll, debtor, creditor, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Support month-end close activities, including journals, accruals, reporting, and financial analysis.
• Assist with VAT returns, audits, compliance requirements, and financial controls.
• Support ERR reporting, IDA grant administration, and the preparation of associated documentation and reconciliations.
• Maintain accurate finance records and contribute to continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Build strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, Shared Service Centres, suppliers, and customers.

Qualifications

You will also have the following…

• Leaving Certificate or equivalent required
• One year’s experience in administration or a similar role is essential
• A certificate or QQI Level 5–6 in a related discipline is an advantage but not essential
• Experience working in a busy finance, payroll or accounts administration environment.
• Practical understanding of payroll administration, payroll controls and confidential employee data handling.
• Experience in accounts receivable, credit control, accounts payable, reconciliations and month-end support.
• Experience working with ERP systems, payroll systems, online banking platforms and Microsoft Office applications.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including reconciliations, reporting schedules, lookups, filtering and data checks.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail, particularly when working with payroll, payments, reconciliations and financial records.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage recurring deadlines and competing priorities.
• Clear communication skills with the ability to follow up professionally and confidently with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to investigate queries through to resolution.
• Good numeric and analytical skills, with the ability to identify errors, trends, unusual balances and process gaps.
• Confidential, trustworthy and professional approach to sensitive employee, supplier, customer and financial information.
• Proactive and positive attitude with a willingness to support the wider finance team and improve processes.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a team
• Training on internal systems will be provided

Additional Information

At SGS, we believe in rewarding our employees for their hard work and commitment. As part of our team, you would be eligible for:

• Pension scheme + Life Assurance
• Maternity & Paternity Top Up
• Gym Discount
• 22 Days Annual Leave (increasing with service) plus bank holidays
• Health & Wellbeing initiatives

SGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such we recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristics protected by law.

To be considered for this role, you must hold a valid and eligible work permit or visa that authorizes you to work in Ireland.