Payroll Assistant - 12-month fixed term (Potters Bar → Watford)
We're working with a well-established, sizeable employer in Hertfordshire looking for a reliable Payroll Assistant to join their friendly payroll team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The business is currently based in Potters Bar but is relocating offices - once the move completes the role will be based in Watford, so you must be comfortable commuting to both locations.
Salary & package
* £30,000-£40,000 per year (depending on experience)
* Bonus scheme
* Excellent benefits package and unmatched holiday entitlement
* Hybrid working (typically 2-3 days in the office per week)
About the role
You'll help run monthly and quarterly payrolls across multiple payroll streams, ensuring accurate pay for employees and compliance with HMRC reporting. You'll work alongside an experienced Payroll Lead and get exposure to end-to-end payroll processes from input and adjustments to BACS and GL reconciliation.
Key responsibilities
* Process monthly and quarterly payrolls, including starters, leavers and temporary changes
* Calculate manual adjustments (part-months, pro-rata calculations) and apply payroll rules consistently
* Collate and process sickness, overtime and third-party deductions each cycle
* Run payroll reports and complete statutory submissions (FPS/EPS), plus liaise with HMRC where required
* Prepare and authorise BACS payments and support month-end reconciliations and journals to the General Ledger
* Support year-end tasks (statutory increases, P60s etc.) and help maintain payroll controls and risk reporting
* Highlight and help rectify payroll errors before payments are processed
About you (must-haves)
* Proven experience working in a payroll team (large payroll experience desirable)
* Practical understanding of payroll legislation and HMRC reporting requirements (FPS/EPS, P45/P60 etc.)
* Comfortable processing BACS and performing reconciliations / journal posting to the GL
* Strong attention to detail, good numerical ability and an organised approach to deadlines
* Confident communicator who can explain technical payroll matters clearly to colleagues and third parties
* Comfortable commuting to Potters Bar now and to Watford once the office move completes
Desirable
* CIPP qualification or working towards it
* Experience of HRIS/payroll systems - experience with SAP SuccessFactors is useful but not essential
Working pattern
* Hybrid: typically 2-3 days in the office (flexible working considered)
* 12-month fixed term contract
If you're a payroll professional who enjoys working in a structured team, wants broad exposure to payroll operations and can commute to Potters Bar and then Watford, I'd love to hear from you.
Vitae Financial Recruitment Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy