Payroll & Benefits Specialist (VAR002)

Affinia is a leading, UK Top 50 Accountancy firm. Through successful acquisitions and organic growth, the firm has seen significant development within the last 18 months. Last October we launched our new brand ‘Affinia’ (www.affinia.co.uk) which saw the coming together of LB Group and six other likeminded firms across the East & South East of England to form a combined challenger accounting, tax and business advisory firm.

With a combined heritage spanning over 300 years, we have more than 400 accountancy professionals based in Stratford, Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Halstead, Harlow, Leigh on Sea, Orpington, Sidcup and Sutton. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across seven principal practice groups: Accountancy & Advisory, Tax and Planning, Audit Services, Corporate Finance, Digital Solutions, Payroll and Financial Planning.

We have invested continuously in technology and gained in-depth knowledge across a broad range of markets, growing through acquisitions and private investment. We offer an exceptional service to our clients, with access to our sector experts to develop the strategy that will help them reach their goals. We keep a finger on the industry pulse, so our clients receive the best short to medium and long-term advice.

Purpose of the role:

As a Payroll & Benefits Specialist, you will play a crucial role in managing and administering payroll and benefits processes for our employees across our multisite operations. Your primary responsibility will be to ensure the accurate and timely processing of payroll, compliance with statutory regulations, and efficient administration of our pension schemes and other employee benefits. This role requires a deep understanding of UK payroll and pension regulations, strong attention to detail, and excellent organisational skills.

It is essential for this role to be present during payroll cut-off week each month to ensure that all payroll data is reconciled. This position offers the opportunity to develop professionally, with access to a wide range of technical and soft skills training through platforms like Croner-i, Mercia, Tolley’s, and LinkedIn Learning. We are committed to supporting your personal and professional growth, recognising the value of continuous learning for both you and the organisation.

Key Task and Accountabilities:

Payroll Administration:

• Work closely with the People Team and external payroll partner to process end-to-end payrolls for all employees, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of salary payments.
• Process payroll-related adjustments such as statutory payments, ad hoc bonus payments, overtime, and other pay-related changes.
• Manage the payroll inbox and handle employee inquiries relating to payroll and benefits in a timely and professional manner.
• Reconcile payroll data, including salaries, benefits, and deductions, ensuring all discrepancies are promptly resolved.

Benefits Administration:

• Administer employee pension schemes (enrolments, contributions, and liaising with pension providers), ensuring compliance with auto-enrolment regulations.
• Support employees in understanding and managing their pension options, including changes and queries related to pension contributions.
• Administer the annual leave purchase scheme and the Employee Wellness Programmes (e.g., Paycare, Perkbox, Healthshield, AXA).
• Ensure timely and accurate calculation of gross pay, deductions, statutory payments, and pension contributions.

Regulatory Compliance & Reporting:

• Stay updated with changes in UK payroll and pension legislation, ensuring the team is informed of relevant changes and updates.
• Ensure 100% compliance with current and new payroll legislation (HMRC, TPR, etc.) and implement changes efficiently.
• Support year-end payroll processes, including the production of annual P11D forms.
• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations and confidentiality standards when handling sensitive employee payroll and pension information.

Employee Data & Systems Management:

• Collaborate with the People team to ensure that employee data is accurately maintained in HRIS and payroll systems (e.g., Cezanne).
• Work with the internal Finance team to manage the administration of CPD salary increases and all pay-related changes.

Training & Development:

• Participate actively in professional development activities to enhance skills and knowledge in payroll, benefits, and HR systems.
• Access and utilise technical training and soft skills training platforms such as Croner-i, Mercia, Tolley’s, and LinkedIn Learning to further your knowledge.

Professional skills/qualifications

 Essential

• Solid experience as a UK Payroll Specialist or similar role, with a focus on pension and benefit administration (Ideally 5+ years).
• In-depth knowledge of UK payroll processes, tax regulations, and pension legislation, including auto-enrolment. 
• Proficient in using MS Office applications, particularly Excel, for data analysis and reporting.
• Proficiency in using payroll software or systems for end-to-end payroll processing.
• Familiarity with pension scheme administration, contributions, and compliance requirements.
• Strong understanding of statutory deductions, including income tax and National Insurance contributions.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in processing payroll and pension data.
• Knowledge of HRIS systems and their integration with payroll systems.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively address employee inquiries and concerns related to payroll and pensions.
• Understanding of data protection regulations and confidentiality requirements in handling employee information.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and resolve payroll and pension-related issues.
• Continuous learning mindset to stay updated with changes in UK payroll and pension regulations and best practices.

Desirable

• Experience with TUPE.
• Experience with using Cezanne-HR.
• CIPP qualified or by experience.

Please click the ‘Apply Now’ button to view the full role and benefits package.