Payroll Administrator in Guildford, Surrey

Graduate Payroll & Expenses Administrator

£27,000 - £29,000 + benefits

Guildford – Hybrid Working (3 Days On-Site)

We're supporting a well-established professional services business that is looking to appoint a Graduate Payroll & Expenses Administrator to join its finance team. This is a great entry-level opportunity for a recent graduate or someone at the beginning of their finance career. You'll work closely with an experienced Payroll Manager, supporting the monthly payroll process alongside employee expenses, benefits and general finance administration.

You don't need extensive payroll experience. We're looking for someone organised, numerate and detail-focused who wants to learn and develop within a professional finance environment. Having experience in finance, accounting, HR or administration is highly beneficial.

The Role

Reporting into the Payroll Manager, you'll provide day-to-day support across payroll and expenses, helping ensure employee information is accurate and everything is ready for the monthly payroll cycle. You'll initially focus on administration, data checks, expenses and employee queries, with the opportunity to gradually develop your knowledge across reconciliations, payroll journals, pensions, statutory deductions and month-end.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the preparation and processing of the monthly payroll for 1000+ staff
• Maintain payroll information including new starters, leavers, salary changes, overtime, bonuses and other adjustments
• Process and review employee expense claims in line with company policies
• Check payroll data for accuracy and investigate any basic discrepancies
• Maintain accurate employee payroll, expenses and benefits records
• Monitor payroll inboxes and respond to employee queries
• Assist with payroll reconciliations across salaries, pensions, tax and benefits
• Support the preparation of payroll journals and month-end information
• Assist with the administration of employee benefits
• Work closely with HR and Finance to ensure employee information remains accurate

What We're Looking For

• Recent graduate in Finance, Accounting, HR, Business or a similar subject
• Alternatively, some initial experience within HR, finance, payroll, expenses or administration
• Strong numerical skills and excellent attention to detail
• Good Excel skills and comfortable working with data
• Highly organised and able to work towards monthly deadlines
• Confident communicating with colleagues and responding to queries
• Someone who enjoys structured, process-driven work
• Positive attitude with a genuine willingness to learn
• Interest in developing a career within payroll and finance

Why Join?

This is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door with an established professional services business and build a genuine career within payroll and finance. You'll receive hands-on training, work closely with experienced colleagues and gradually take on more responsibility as your knowledge develops.

If you're a recent graduate or junior finance professional looking for your first real opportunity within payroll and finance, we'd love to hear from you.