Payroll Officer

For further information about this role, please email Sharon Simpson (Head of Payroll) via

** Previous applicants need not apply**

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Officer to join our Payroll Team and support the accurate and timely delivery of weekly and monthly payrolls across the Trust.

This role is ideal for someone with hands‑on payroll experience who can work confidently and independently, applying NHS Terms and Conditions and statutory payroll regulations with minimal supervision. The successful candidate will play an active role from day one, helping to maintain service continuity and ensure employees are paid accurately and on time.

• To provide an accurate payroll and pension service to the Trust, ensuring that data is prepared and input into ESR in a timely and accurate manner and within the timetables set within the payroll processing calendar, ensuring that all employees are paid in a timely manner
• To analyse and interpret complex payments (for example, following pay awards, organisational change, re-gradings, etc). Investigate pay queries and analyse detailed data to identify errors and discrepancies. Inform individuals of over payments and negotiate how monies are recovered
• Using under-pinning knowledge ensure the processing, correct application and calculation of tax, national insurance, pension, sickness, maternity, paternity and statutory deductions (e.g. court, council tax, child support deductions) etc are accurate and complies with statutory and organisational requirements escalating and liaising with internal & external bodies where necessary
• To maintain accurate sickness absence and entitlement records for each employee. Advise the employee and manager of any half and no‑pay situations and maintain a deemed pensionable pay record as necessary
• To ensure that changes to employees details and pay and any payments made, are done so in line with the correct authorisation procedures detailed within the department, by means of the Trust’s authorised signature list
• Check and verify payroll and associated input/output prior to distribution of payslips and related documentation and check exception reports for items of materiality, taking any necessary action to make good financial discrepancies, which will in turn ensure budget reports are an accurate reflection of expenditure/income

Qualifications:

• Sound educational background (4 GCSEs, grade C or above including Maths)
• NVQ Level 3 in Payroll or equivalent relevant experience

Experience:

• Experience of working with computer software programmes such as Microsoft Office, e‑mail and internet.
• Knowledge of ESR system.
• Experience of working in a busy office environment and responding to competing demands
• Awareness of NHS Terms and Conditions of Service, including Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental
• Substantial experience working as a Payroll Officer, with a strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation

Knowledge and Awareness:

• Understanding and knowledge of dealing with sensitive and confidential issues, work policies and procedures (Data Protection Act)
• In depth knowledge and understanding of payroll systems, procedures and current legislation (manual and computerised), including calculating payroll payments from gross to net.
• Knowledge of statutory regulations – PAYE, NIC, SSP, SMP, SAP, SPP

We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients’ homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and…