Senior Payroll Assistant

Job Title: Senior Payroll Assistant

Department: Payroll

Location: Norwich

Hours: Flexible working hours - minimum of two days per week in office

Salary: between £32,000 and £35,000 depending on experience

At Larking Gowen, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to both our employees and clients is at the core of who we are. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive workplace culture where employee wellbeing is paramount, work-life balance is valued, and personal growth is encouraged through tailored training and development opportunities.

This position is ideal for candidates with experience managing high‑volume payrolls—preferably within a bureau environment—who enjoy supporting colleagues and are eager to further develop their expertise as part of a busy payroll bureau team.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of the payroll function with increased responsibility for clients and supporting other members of the team. We are looking for a candidate with good communication skills, who enjoys working as part of a team, supporting their colleagues, can organise their workload, works well to deadlines and has an appetite for learning and development.

Main Responsibilities:

General

•Looking after a portfolio of complex client payrolls, varying in size, and frequency.

•Preparing the payrolls from start to finish, liaising with clients and HMRC with any queries, taking full control of all regulatory submissions, deadlines and ensuring client expectations are met.

•Reviewing payrolls to ensure high levels of accuracy and ability to question when needed.

•Taking full responsibility for being the day-to-day contact for your client base, answering any queries they may have and ensuring a high level of client care.

•Taking an interest in the client’s values and business needs to develop good working relationships.

•Demonstrating the ability to work independently.

•Organising your workload, particularly in peak periods, ensuring deadlines are met and communicating with the team around you to ensure work flows smoothly.

•Supporting the rest of the team development and working as one.

•Learning all aspects of the payroll function.

•Holds a strong understanding of payroll legislation, calculations, and the industries related regulations.

•Completes regular technical reading to ensure knowledge is up to date and prepared for any new legislative or environmental changes.

•Interested in helping to keep the team ahead of any developments and spotting potential opportunities as they arise.

Team and Firm Development

•Take responsibility for projects alongside your payroll portfolio

•Supporting management with ad hoc tasks

•Take responsibility for the supervision and development of colleagues.

•Take a proactive approach to advising clients on forthcoming regulatory changes

•Actively seek out opportunities to develop and grow the firm

•Have an awareness of the wide range of services that Larking Gowen offers to spot opportunities to assist clients

Training

•Ensure compliance with all CPD requirements.

•Proactively identify training requirements to assist with personal development.

•Share experience to assist with the development of others.

Other Responsibilities

•Adhere to the firm’s risk management policies and procedures,

•Undertake other duties to meet the demands of the business as required

Person Specification:

Education and qualifications

Desirable:

Professional qualification (CIPP technician or equivalent)

Skills and Experience

Essential:

Experience working in a payroll role for at least three years

Proven ability to manage a portfolio/high level of employees efficiently and effectively

Proven ability to adapt quickly to changing deadline and priorities

Experience of dealing with client matters.

Desirable

Experience coaching/mentoring staff

Experience working on Paycircle

Xero / Quickbooks / HMRC Basic PAYE tools payroll experience.

Background in working in a payroll bureau environment.

Personal Attributes

Essential:

Strong organisation skills

Excellent communication skills (written and oral)

Be proactive in identifying practical solutions to internal and client issues

Be able to operate at a high level of confidentiality

Have a “can do” approach

Innovative and able to use own initiative

A commitment to drive technological and digital improvements.

Prioritise delivery of excellent client service at all times.

Other

Essential:

Applicants must be willing to travel to other offices and/or client premises in East Anglia when needed.