Payroll & Finance Officer

Payroll & Finance Officer

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.

Privacy Notice

JGA Recruitment Group Ltd (“We”) are committed to equality of
opportunity for all applications regardless of age, disability,
***, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and
maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil
partnerships. We strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants
from a wide range of backgrounds to apply.

We are also committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.
We are a specialist Payroll and HR recruitment agency and
recruitment business as defined in the Employment Agencies and
Employment Businesses Regulations 2003.