Payroll Officer - 2 Months Contract in Bradford

Experienced Payroll Officer with a strong background in payroll administration, finance, and employee support within fast-paced and compliance-driven environments. Skilled in processing payroll transactions, maintaining accurate employee records, managing statutory deductions, pensions, allowances, and overpayments while ensuring full compliance with HMRC regulations and internal policies. Adept at resolving payroll queries, providing professional advice to employees and managers, and working with complex payroll systems to deliver accurate and timely payroll services. Possesses excellent numerical, analytical, and problem-solving abilities, with a high level of attention to detail and experience handling large volumes of payroll data. Proven ability to work to strict deadlines, support process improvements, maintain confidentiality, and deliver a high standard of customer service within payroll and HR-related functions.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll transactions accurately and within strict deadlines, including salaries, increments, pay awards, expenses, allowances, deductions, and overpayments in line with legislation and internal policies.
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records and ensure compliance with HMRC regulations, audit controls, and payroll procedures.
• Provide professional advice, guidance, and support to employees and managers on payroll-related queries, payslips, pay calculations, and conditions of service.
• Process and manage payroll overpayments, ensuring timely recovery and adherence to established procedures.
• Operate and maintain payroll systems (SAP), ensuring accurate data input, payroll calculations, and reporting.
• Investigate payroll discrepancies, identify irregularities or potential fraud, and elevate concerns to the Payroll Team Leader where appropriate.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of payroll systems, processes, and management information reporting.
• Work closely with HR, Recruitment, and Redeployment teams to ensure the efficient setup and payment of new employees.
• Assist in training and supporting new or less experienced payroll staff to maintain service standards and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to a high-quality payroll service by ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and excellent customer service.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Previous experience within a payroll, finance, or administrative environment involving public or employee contact.
• Strong understanding of payroll processes, including gross-to-net calculations, statutory deductions, pensions, allowances, and overpayments.
• Knowledge of HMRC payroll legislation, compliance requirements, and payroll best practices.
• Excellent numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex payroll regulations, policies, procedures, and conditions of service.
• Experience using payroll systems, ideally SAP, and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain payroll information clearly to employees and managers.
• Ability to manage large volumes of detailed information and work effectively to strict deadlines.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, customer service excellence, and maintaining confidentiality at all times.