Associate, Payroll in Brentwood

We’re Gravita: the accountants fuelling ambitious businesses. We’re a full service, tech-enabled firm, working with entrepreneurs and businesses to help them achieve their goals, and make an impact in the world. We’re growing fast and are bringing like-minded advisors together to form a full-service tech-enabled accounting partner for thousands of SMEs. Our team use their incredible expertise alongside intuitive technology to help businesses and entrepreneurs plan better and grow faster. Our mission is to become the UK’s leading tech-enabled accounting firm for SMEs. We have ambitious goals and our high-calibre team work hard to achieve them. We are one team with one agenda, working collaboratively in a respectful environment to deliver a great service to our clients. So if you join us, you’ll not only be working on exciting client challenges, you’ll also be helping us shape the future of accounting.

The Role

As a Senior Associate in Payroll within our Outsourcing team, you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering a first-class payroll service to Gravita clients and stakeholders. In this fast-paced position, you’ll be responsible for the end-to-end processing of client payrolls across a variety of pay cycles, including weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, and annual frequencies. You will be working closely with the Payroll Manager and Associate Payroll Manager to enhance accuracy, streamline processes, and drive continuous improvements in efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain ongoing communication with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure compliance with statutory obligations. Accurately manage all online payroll filings, Real Time Information (RTI) submissions, and correspondence, ensuring deadlines are consistently met.
• Administer workplace pension auto-enrolment duties using integrated payroll systems. Ensure timely employee assessments, opt-in/opt-out processing, and contributions reporting in accordance with The Pensions Regulator requirements.
• Handle essential HMRC documentation such as starter checklists, P45s, and P60s to ensure smooth employee onboarding and offboarding, and maintain accurate records for audit and compliance purposes.
• Complete year-end processes including P60 production, final submissions to HMRC, reconciliation tasks, and preparation of payroll summaries for client records and internal reporting.
• Stay informed of changes in employment and payroll legislation. Proactively adapt processes and advise clients on regulatory updates to maintain full compliance.
• Commit to completing relevant CPD hours annually, keeping up to date with industry best practices, software developments, and regulatory changes to enhance technical knowledge and service delivery.
• Accurately prepare and run payrolls for clients across various frequencies (weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually), ensuring timely payments, statutory deductions, and client satisfaction.
• Operate Paycircle and other modern payroll platforms efficiently, utilising cloud based functionalities for real-time collaboration, client access, and data security.
• Act as a trusted point of contact for clients on payroll-related matters. Resolve issues professionally and proactively while providing guidance and building strong, long term relationships.
• Prepare and issue accurate client invoices. Monitor receivables and follow up on outstanding payments in a professional manner to support healthy cash flow.
• Contribute to the smooth functioning of the payroll service by undertaking a variety of administrative and support tasks as needed, demonstrating flexibility and a collaborative mindset.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Experience:

• Solid understanding of payroll legislation and auto enrolment processes.
• Some experience processing weekly and monthly payrolls, ideally in a bureau or client-facing environment.
• Proficient in payroll software, with Paycircle or similar (preferred).
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong communication skills, clear and effective in both verbal and written forms.
• Confident with IT systems and spreadsheet tools (including formulas).
• Skilled at building client relationships and managing a portfolio.
• CIPP qualification or equivalent (preferred).
• Engage in relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and training to maintain professional competence and stay up to date with legislation, industry standards, and best practice.
• Proactive in learning and professional development.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

Your Career with Gravita

When you join Gravita, we’ll support you on your own growth journey. We want to be the place you learn, grow and unlock your true potential. We’ll work with you to build a progression plan to outline how you’ll grow at our company and everything we’ll do to help you get there. We’re also passionate about learning and development, to help you focus on your future.

The Nitty Gritty

Our standard working week is a 37.5-hour week on a hybrid basis. Core working hours are 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday. Flexible working and happy employees are at the top of our list here at Gravita and we have been working hard to support our teams through the fast-paced changes. Your development won’t be forgotten, our development support is extraordinary for a firm of our size. It's a busy, fast-paced environment here at Gravita.