Finance Officer - PAYE Payroll and Purchases (14 Mth FTC- Maternity Cover)

Payroll Officer Maternity Cover

Location - Head Office , Winfrith , Dorset (Dorset Innovation Park)

Working Hours - 40hrs per week but would consider Part time applicants 27 hours per week (flexible across 3 to 4 days)

Contract Type Fixed term contract maternity cover

Salary £17.00 to £19.50 per hour (27hrs pw - £23,868 to £27,378 per annum pro-rata, based on a 40-hour full-time equivalent of £35,360 to £40,560) depending on experience

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Officer to join our finance team on a fixed-term basis to provide maternity cover. We will consider applicants willing to work full or part time in this capacity.

In this role you will take full ownership of the end-to-end monthly PAYE payroll cycle, oversee expense claims, administer weekly contractor payment runs, and manage Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) processes. You will also provide collaborative cover for our Finance Officer (Purchase Ledger) when required.

Key Responsibilities

• Run the monthly payroll process from start to finish, including HMRC submissions, tax code updates, workplace pension contributions, statutory payments (SSP, SMP, SPP), and PAYE and National Insurance calculations.
• Administer and submit monthly CIS returns and maintain subcontractor records.
• Produce BACS payment files for payroll and weekly subcontractor payment runs.
• Calculate and communicate weekly recharges to delivery partners.
• Manage annual payroll year-end returns, including P60s, P11D benefits reporting, and pension reconciliations.
• Post monthly payroll journals on Sage 50 and reconcile all payroll-related balance sheet accounts.
• Process expense claims, including reviewing and posting weekly out-of-pocket expenses for payment, reconciling company debit cards, managing petty cash, and importing credit card transactions.
• Liaise with HMRC regarding tax codes, statutory notices, and compliance queries.
• Act as the primary point of contact for internal payroll and expense queries.
• Provide cover and support for purchase ledger activities as needed.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• CIPP qualification (Certificate in Payroll Practice or equivalent) or AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting is mandatory. Substantial, demonstrable sole-charge payroll experience with proven equivalent technical depth will also be considered (Qualified by Experience).
• Demonstrable experience running an end-to-end UK payroll function independently.
• Sound, up-to-date working knowledge of UK payroll legislation, statutory payments including SMP and SSP, and HMRC reporting.
• Practical working knowledge of Construction Industry Scheme administration, monthly CIS returns, and contractor payments.
• Proficiency with Sage 50 Accounts or similar finance and payroll packages.
• Strong attention to detail with proven competence in balance sheet reconciliations and nominal ledger journals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to handle queries from employees, subcontractors, and HMRC professionally.

The Package

• Salary: £17.00 to £19.50 per hour (27hrs pw - £23,868 to £27,378 per annum pro-rata, based on a 40-hour full-time equivalent of £35,360 to £40,560) depending on knowledge , skills and experience
• Holiday: 25 days holiday plus 8 UK public holidays (pro-rata)
• Pension: Company pension scheme with employer contributions(stat cap applies).
• Benefits: Enhanced Family Friendly policy (where eligible), Company Sick Pay (where eligible), Employee Assistance Programme, and Study Support.
• Environment: On-site parking and a commitment to a diverse and inclusive working environment.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a brief covering note outlining your relevant payroll and CIS experience. Interviews will take place promptly as we are seeking an early November start to ensure a comprehensive handover period.