At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure accurate payroll reconciliation and compliance in a dynamic higher education environment.
- Company: Leading London-based higher education institution with a focus on financial integrity.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, hybrid work model, and opportunity to enhance your financial skills.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a pivotal role that impacts thousands of employees and supports organisational change.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll or financial reconciliation, strong analytical skills, and advanced Excel proficiency.
The predicted salary is between 32 - 38 € per hour.
A leading London-based higher education institution is seeking an experienced Interim Payroll Reconciliation Specialist. This is a pivotal role in a large, complex environment, supporting accurate payroll reconciliation and ensuring complete confidence in pay-related financial controls.
You will join a large team that supports several thousand employees across academic, research and professional services functions. As part of the HR/Payroll team, you'll play a critical role in strengthening payroll accuracy, compliance and financial integrity during a period of organisational change.
The Role
- Take ownership of payroll control and suspense account reconciliations, ensuring pay overs to statutory bodies and third parties are accurate and compliant.
- Work closely with Payroll, Finance and Pensions colleagues to investigate discrepancies, resolve issues and produce journals to correct errors.
This role requires someone who is highly analytical, comfortable managing large volumes of data, and able to maintain rigorous financial controls in a complex, multi-cost centre environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Complete timely and accurate reconciliation of payroll control and suspense accounts.
- Investigate and resolve discrepancies across payroll, pensions and finance activity.
- Ensure accurate pay overs to HMRC and third-party agencies.
- Prepare journals, adjustments and corrections as required.
- Manage the overpayments suspense account and highlight emerging issues.
- Support month-end and year-end processes, including compliance with HMRC legislation.
- Liaise with staff regarding overpayments and returned salary payments.
- Assist with internal and external audits, supplying data and insights.
- Arrange BACS recalls and work with treasury to allocate returns.
- Maintain up-to-date professional knowledge and support best practice within the team.
Essential experience:
- Qualified or part-qualified accountant.
- Significant experience in payroll or financial reconciliation roles.
- Strong understanding of payroll legislation, compliance and accounting principles.
- Experience in higher education or public sector environments.
- Advanced Excel and strong general IT skills.
- Experience working collaboratively with finance, payroll and operational stakeholders.
- Experience with Oracle HR/Payroll or similar systems.
- Business Objects reporting skills.
Payroll Reconciliation Specialist employer: Cedar Recruitment
As a leading higher education institution in London, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that values employee contributions and promotes professional growth. Our Payroll Reconciliation Specialist role offers the opportunity to work within a dynamic team dedicated to ensuring financial integrity and compliance, while also providing competitive pay rates and the flexibility of a hybrid working model. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a supportive environment that champions continuous learning and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Reconciliation Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the higher education sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on payroll legislation and compliance. Make sure you can discuss how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of the Payroll Reconciliation Specialist role. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've tackled discrepancies or improved financial controls in past roles. This will show employers you’re the right fit for their complex environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Reconciliation Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Reconciliation Specialist role. Highlight your experience in payroll and financial reconciliation, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications or skills that match the job description.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires someone who is highly analytical, be sure to showcase your ability to manage large volumes of data. Include examples of how you've resolved discrepancies or improved financial controls in previous roles.
Highlight Compliance Knowledge:Demonstrate your understanding of payroll legislation and compliance. Mention any specific experiences you have with HMRC or third-party agencies, as this will show that you’re well-versed in the necessary regulations.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cedar Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Payroll Reconciliation Specialist, you'll be dealing with a lot of data. Brush up on your payroll legislation and compliance knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've successfully reconciled accounts or resolved discrepancies.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
This role requires a keen analytical mind. Prepare to talk about how you've managed large volumes of data in previous roles. Think of a time when you identified an error and how you went about correcting it—this will demonstrate your problem-solving abilities.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Systems
If you have experience with Oracle HR/Payroll or similar systems, make sure to highlight this during your interview. If not, do some research on these systems and be prepared to discuss how you would adapt to new software quickly.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
This position involves working closely with various teams. Be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated with finance, payroll, and operational stakeholders in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how they helped resolve issues effectively.
