Payroll & Finance Officer in Chester

Salary: £32,000 - £35,000

Location: Remote – Cheshire

Working Setup: Remote, with very occasional travel to the Cheshire office

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-time

JGA Recruitment Group are working exclusively with a growing education organisation to recruit a Payroll & Finance Officer into their central team. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced payroll professional who enjoys working independently and wants to take ownership of an in-house payroll function supporting multiple schools. The role is currently approximately 75% payroll and 25% finance, with the payroll element expected to increase as the organisation continues to grow.

You will be responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll across academies and a central team.

The Role

Reporting to the Finance Manager, you will take ownership of the day-to-day payroll operation, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while managing payroll-related pensions, statutory submissions and stakeholder queries. Alongside payroll, you will support the wider finance team with reconciliations, invoices, month-end activity and general financial administration. The role is predominantly remote, with occasional travel to the Cheshire office — approximately once a month during term time — so candidates within a reasonable commuting distance of Cheshire are preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end monthly payroll for multiple academies and the central team.
• Ensure payroll calculations, deductions and submissions are accurate and completed within agreed deadlines.
• Manage payroll-related queries and liaise with employees, schools, senior stakeholders and external bodies including HMRC and pension providers.
• Manage Teachers' Pensions and Local Government Pension Scheme requirements, including relevant forms, returns and deductions.
• Complete monthly payroll and budget reconciliations, investigating and explaining variances.
• Upload monthly payroll costs to the finance system and support the wider finance team with reporting and administration.
• Review and approve academy invoices and assist with month-end routines.
• Support bank reconciliations, the asset register and wider financial administration.
• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues on payroll and finance matters.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and finance processes as the organisation continues to grow.

About You

The successful candidate will have:

• Current or recent experience running a monthly payroll from end to end.
• Previous education, academy or school payroll experience is highly desirable.
• A strong understanding of PAYE, pensions and UK payroll legislation.
• Experience with Teachers' Pensions and/or LGPS would be advantageous.
• Experience using payroll software.
• AAT qualification or equivalent experience, with an understanding of accruals-based accounting.
• Good Excel and wider MS Office skills.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to work accurately to tight payroll deadlines.
• The confidence to work independently, manage your own workload and take ownership of the payroll function.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain payroll and financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues.

What's on Offer

• £32,000 - £35,000 salary
• Permanent position
• Predominantly remote working
• Occasional travel to the Cheshire office during term time
• 5 weeks' annual leave, increasing to 6 weeks after 5 years' service
• Bank holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Individualised, funded training plan
• Annual flu jab
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Opportunity to develop with a growing organisation and take increasing ownership of the payroll function

Interested? If you’re an experienced payroll professional with education-sector experience and are looking for a predominantly remote role where you can take genuine ownership of the payroll function, we’d love to hear from you.