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…