Payroll Assistant

Accounts & Payroll Assistant

Department: Finance

Reports to: Accounts Manager

Location: Rayleigh, Essex

Hours: Part Time – 25 hours per week

We envisage this role being worked over 5 hours per day, Monday to Friday, although we are open to discussing alternative working patterns for the right candidate.

Kinect Services is an award-winning provider of specialist transport and care services across the East of England. We support local authorities, schools, healthcare providers and private clients by delivering safe, reliable and person-centred services.

• Prepare and process the Company’s monthly payroll accurately and within agreed deadlines.
• Calculate pay for full-time, part-time, term-time and casual employees.
• Process starters, leavers and contractual changes.
• Administer statutory payments including SSP, SMP, SPP and other statutory entitlements.
• Process PAYE, National Insurance and workplace pension deductions.
• Prepare and submit payroll information to HMRC through Real Time Information (RTI).
• Produce payroll reports and supporting documentation.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and employee payroll files.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Respond to payroll queries from employees in a professional and timely manner.
• Prepare payroll journals and assist with payroll reconciliations.
• Support year-end payroll activities including P60s and other statutory reporting.
• Ensure payroll activities comply with current legislation and Company procedures.

• Process purchase invoices accurately and promptly.
• Raise sales invoices where required.
• Reconcile supplier statements and resolve invoice queries.
• Assist with payment runs.
• Support bank reconciliations.
• Assist with credit control activities where required.
• Maintain accurate financial records within the accounting system (ideally Xero).
• Assist with month-end finance processes.
• Produce reports and management information as requested.
• Provide day-to-day administrative support to the Accounts Manager.

• Raise purchase orders in accordance with Company procedures.
• Coordinate purchasing requests from across the business.
• Liaise with suppliers regarding orders, pricing and deliveries.
• Monitor outstanding purchase orders and deliveries.
• Resolve purchase order and invoice queries.
• Maintain supplier records and documentation.
• Assist with ordering office supplies, uniforms, PPE and operational resources.
• Support supplier administration and onboarding where required.
• Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes and achieve value for money.

• Maintain accurate records and electronic filing systems.
• Respond to finance and payroll enquiries professionally and confidentially.
• Assist with audit requests and financial documentation.
• Produce reports, spreadsheets and documentation as required.
• Support continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to improve finance and payroll processes.
• Provide administrative support to the wider business when required.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties consistent with the role.

• GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above).
• Payroll, finance, bookkeeping or accounting qualification, or equivalent practical experience.

• Previous experience working within a payroll, accounts or finance environment.
• Experience processing financial transactions accurately.
• Experience using payroll software.
• Experience using accounting software, ideally Xero.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office.

• Understanding of payroll processes and UK payroll legislation.
• Knowledge of HMRC requirements.
• Understanding of purchase ledger processes.
• Awareness of financial controls and the importance of confidentiality.

• Exceptional attention to detail with a commitment to producing accurate work.
• Highly organised with excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritise competing workloads.
• Process-driven, with the ability to follow established procedures while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency.
• Excellent numerical and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and…