At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Payroll Trainee and manage payroll processes from start to finish.
- Company: Saffery, a people-focused firm with a rich heritage in accountancy.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work arrangements, profit-sharing, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal development and social events.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in payroll with hands-on experience and mentorship.
- Qualifications: 112 UCAS points and GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above.
The predicted salary is between 19350 - 23650 £ per year.
Are you looking to start your career in Payroll, helping businesses by providing a full and integrated payroll service? We’re seeking ambitious individuals from all backgrounds to join our team as a trainee, studying towards the CIPP qualification.
Who we are
Saffery is a partner-led and people-focused firm of chartered accountants, tax and business advisers. Since 1855, we’ve built long-term relationships with our diverse, high-profile clients, across varied and specialised sectors. We pride ourselves on our informal and inclusive culture, building an environment where people can be themselves and enjoy challenging, interesting, rewarding careers.
Who we welcome
We recognise that talent comes from different paths, so we encourage applications from upcoming and recent school leavers or career changers. We do not expect applicants to have any prior relevant work experience. Our training contract takes 18 months to complete with full support and access to first-class tuition centres. You’ll follow a structured development programme combining professional study with on-the-job learning.
Your role and development
Your growth doesn't just come from exams. It comes from valuable work experience and real-world learning.
What you’ll do
- Process all payrolls from start to finish, including processing starter, leavers and permanent data changes.
- Manage multiple deadlines for variable data and managing clients throughout their pay cycle.
- Manage report processing.
- Liaise directly with clients and HMRC on any salary queries.
- Complete monthly pension returns.
- Process and calculate statutory payments, including Statutory Maternity Pay and Statutory Sick Pay.
- Manually calculate pro-rata payments such as holiday pay and hourly/daily rates of pay.
- Keep abreast of new legislation, supporting the team to implement new procedures.
What you’ll learn
- Core payroll principles across UK payroll legislation and compliance.
- Income tax, National Insurance and HMRC regulations.
- Workplace pensions and auto-enrolment.
- Holiday pay and other employment-related payments.
- Statutory payments.
- Managing client relationships and delivering excellent customer service.
- Payroll systems, reporting tools and data management processes.
- The practical application of your professional qualification studies in real-world scenarios.
We’ll support you every step of the way through mentorship and structured training, as well as regular social events to build friendships with colleagues.
What you'll need
A minimum of 112 UCAS points from your top 3 A Levels or Highers (or equivalent), excluding General Studies and AS Levels, A minimum of 5 (or C) in GCSE or National 5 Maths and English Language (or equivalent).
We understand that confidence plays a role in job applications, and some candidates may hesitate to apply. If this role excites you and aligns with your career ambitions, we’d love to hear from you!
Where potential meets personal meets you
At Saffery, we look for people who share our values. We're looking for individuals who are collaborative, responsible, progressive and act with integrity, whilst always striving for excellence. You’ll be approachable, committed and ready to take ownership of your work, with a proactive and curious mindset and a genuine interest in how businesses operate.
We value people who are organised, pay close attention to detail, enjoy working with financial data, and can manage their time effectively. You'll thrive in a close-knit team environment, working collaboratively with others while taking responsibility for your own development.
We want people who are willing to learn, ask questions, speak up when something could be better, and help make improvements happen. Here, you're never just a number. We value drive, focus and a positive attitude, but we also value who you are as a person.
What we’ll offer you
- Profit-sharing scheme (approx. £1,000 per year).
- Generous annual leave & flexible work arrangements.
- Contributory pension plan (5% salary match).
- Work life balance & wellbeing.
- Buddy scheme and/or line manager support.
- Agile working policy (up to three days working from home, however in your first few months we do encourage up to 4 days in the office to reap the benefits of training around your managers and colleagues).
- Health assessments, GP access, & cancer screenings.
- Access to mental health & wellbeing resources.
- Mentorship & career progression opportunities.
- Participation in our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) programme.
- Volunteer to join one of our People networks, including Accessibility, Cultural Heritage, Faith, LGBTQ+, Social Mobility and Gender Equality.
School Leaver Payroll Trainee (CIPP) - Peterborough - September 2027 employer: Saffery Champness
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