Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll data, create reports, and ensure accuracy in financial records.
- Company: Join the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, pension scheme, gym access, and wellness support.
- Other info: Great opportunities for professional growth and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a difference in your community while developing valuable skills in finance and reporting.
- Qualifications: Strong data handling skills and advanced MS Excel proficiency required.
The predicted salary is between 29540 - 32061 £ per year.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the largest non‑metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England, invites applications for a permanent, full‑time (37 hours per week) Pay and Reporting Assistant Officer based at our Service Headquarters in Exeter. The role offers a competitive salary starting at £29,540, rising annually to £32,061 (gross) pro rata per annum.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain and update spreadsheets, databases and payroll systems in accordance with the Data Protection Act, including input and processing of pay and personnel data.
- Extract and process operational activity and availability claims from Gartan systems for every payment run.
- Facilitate the reconciliation of absence data between Gartan and iTrent, minimising overpayment situations for on‑call colleagues.
- Handle payment errors: identify causes, liaise with stakeholders, oversee salary advance administration, recover and reconcile errors, produce correspondence to affected individuals, and manage escalation of casework.
- Support payroll system table maintenance and testing of planned upgrades or developments under guidance from system administration and payroll lead roles.
- Produce reports relating to HR database content and payroll output, presenting data accurately in user‑friendly formats using look‑ups, pivots, slicers and graphs.
- Provide data for additional reporting requirements on an ad‑hoc basis (e.g., Subject Access Requests, FOIs, organisational data returns such as ONS and HMI).
- Ensure the payroll system reflects employment variations, including new joiners, leavers, position and grade changes, and personal particulars updates.
- Record and implement deductions, subscriptions, recoveries and other third‑party payments accurately and timely in collaboration with the payroll provider.
What We Offer
- Flexible working arrangements to promote work‑life balance.
- A generous pension scheme.
- Ample annual leave.
- Family leave policies.
- Access to physiotherapy services.
- Opportunities for professional development and progression.
- Free gym access and personalised fitness coaching.
- Support for eye care and wellness programmes.
- Exclusive Blue Light Membership discounts.
- Affordable healthcare options through Benenden Health.
- Engaging sports and social groups for community building.
- Confidential counselling services and mental health support.
- Access to the Firefighters Charity for additional support.
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
Essential Criteria
- Proven ability to input and extract data efficiently and accurately.
- Demonstrable ability to identify and solve problems involving numerical information.
- Knowledge and understanding of People/Database systems.
- Ability to work efficiently and effectively both individually and as part of a busy team.
- Good planning, organisational and time‑management skills.
- Proven ability to use MS Excel at an advanced level.
Closing date: 23:59 hrs Monday 20 May 2026. The successful candidate must, by the commencement of employment, have the right to work in the UK.
Assistant Pay & Reporting Officer employer: Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
Contact Detail:
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Pay & Reporting Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and help us stand out in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to payroll systems and data management. We can even do mock interviews with friends to boost our confidence and refine our answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our skills! Bring along examples of spreadsheets or reports we've created in the past. This will demonstrate our advanced MS Excel abilities and problem-solving skills, which are key for the Assistant Pay & Reporting Officer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can keep an eye on any updates or additional roles that might pop up.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Pay & Reporting Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Assistant Pay & Reporting Officer role. Highlight your experience with data input, payroll systems, and any relevant software like MS Excel. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don’t forget to mention your problem-solving skills and experience with databases.
Showcase Your Attention to Detail: In this role, accuracy is key! Make sure to highlight any experiences where you've had to manage data or handle financial information. We love candidates who can demonstrate their attention to detail in their application.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s straightforward and ensures your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Assistant Pay & Reporting Officer, you'll be dealing with a lot of numerical data. Brush up on your Excel skills and be ready to discuss how you've used advanced functions like look-ups and pivots in previous roles. This will show that you can handle the technical aspects of the job.
✨Understand the Systems
Familiarise yourself with payroll systems like Gartan and iTrent before the interview. If you can demonstrate knowledge of these systems or similar ones, it’ll give you a leg up. Be prepared to talk about how you’ve reconciled data or handled payment errors in the past.
✨Problem-Solving Mindset
The role requires identifying and solving problems related to pay and personnel data. Think of specific examples where you've successfully resolved issues, especially those involving numerical information. This will highlight your analytical skills and ability to work under pressure.
✨Show Team Spirit
While the role involves individual tasks, teamwork is crucial. Be ready to share experiences where you collaborated with others to achieve a common goal. Emphasising your ability to work effectively in a busy team will resonate well with the interviewers.