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- Tasks: Deliver accurate payroll services and ensure compliance with regulations.
- Company: Join Action for Children, a passionate team dedicated to supporting vulnerable children.
- Benefits: Enjoy 29 days annual leave, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while building your career.
- Qualifications: CIPP national payroll certificate or equivalent experience required.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 22680 - 28640 £ per year.
Salary: £26,600 per annum. Location: Homebased. Must be located permanently in the UK. Contract: Permanent, 35 hours per week.
Benefits:
- 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave.
- Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities.
- Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages.
- Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover.
- Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailer's discounts.
A bit about the role:
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivating Payroll Officer to deliver a confidential, accurate, professional and effective payroll service within agreed timelines. Ensuring compliance with internal policies, procedures, statutory regulations and third-party requirements.
How you'll help to create brighter futures:
- Checking and updating an integrated eHR/payroll database, to effect changes to salary, other payroll related data.
- Process statutory notifications and payments (e.g. SMP, SSP), voluntary deductions, third party payments and occupational entitlements.
- Work to agreed service standards and maintaining clear audit trails.
- Apply internal control procedures, checking system generated reports to ensure the integrity of submitted changes to the payroll.
- Ensure the correct adherence with TUPE scheme rules and other implications such as maternity differences and TUPE pension legislation.
- Work in conjunction with the People Insight Analyst to utilise systems and databases.
Let's talk about you:
- CIPP national payroll certificate or equivalent work-related experience.
- Experience, in particular gained within a financial environment.
- Working methodically and in a structured way to deliver an efficient transactional payroll service.
- Excellent customer service skills with proven ability to communicate effectively.
- Excellent analytical numeracy skills.
- Use of Microsoft packages in particular Excel to advance level.
- Excellent team player.
- Oracle experience an advantage.
- Minimum of 6 months Payroll Legislation experience.
Please see the Job Description for the full list of accountabilities and requirements.
Contact David Simpson on 01923361732 or email us at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 12516. Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Diversity, equality, and inclusion:
At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic, and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.
Closing Date: Monday 2nd February 2026. Interviews will be scheduled on Monday 9th February by MS Teams.
Payroll Officer in Watford employer: Action for Children
Contact Detail:
Action for Children Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Officer in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or even in person. Let them know you're on the hunt for a Payroll Officer role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common payroll-related questions and practice your answers. We want you to feel confident and ready to showcase your skills, especially your analytical and customer service abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, shoot a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll be part of a team that’s all about making a difference in children’s lives!
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Officer in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in payroll legislation and financial environments. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about working with us at Action for Children and how you can contribute to our mission. Be specific about your achievements and experiences.
Show Off Your Skills: Don’t forget to mention your analytical numeracy skills and proficiency in Microsoft Excel. These are key for the Payroll Officer position, so let us know how you've used these skills in your previous roles!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered promptly. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Action for Children
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your payroll legislation knowledge. Familiarise yourself with statutory notifications, TUPE rules, and any recent changes in payroll regulations. This will show that you're not just a candidate but someone who genuinely understands the role.
✨Show Off Your Excel Skills
Since the job requires advanced Excel skills, be prepared to discuss your experience with spreadsheets. Maybe even bring examples of how you've used Excel to streamline payroll processes or analyse data. This will demonstrate your practical abilities and problem-solving skills.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication
As a Payroll Officer, you'll need to work closely with others. Be ready to share examples of how you've effectively communicated with team members or clients in previous roles. Highlighting your customer service skills can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare Questions About the Company
Research Action for Children and think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This shows your interest in the organisation and its mission. You might ask about their approach to diversity and inclusion or how they support professional development for employees.
