Role overview

We’re building a pool of experienced South African–based payroll specialists to support a variety of UK businesses on a remote, full-time commitment. You’ll own end-to-end payroll processing, ensure compliance with UK regulations, and deliver timely, accurate pay runs that keep employees happy and finance teams confident.

Key challenges you’ll face

Navigating complex UK payroll legislation (tax codes, National Insurance, statutory leave and pay)
Managing multi-currency payrolls, expatriate assignments, and cross-border tax considerations
Integrating with diverse ERP/payroll systems (e.g., Sage, ADP, payslips.co.uk) and bespoke reporting tools
Coordinating deadlines across time zones with UK HR, finance teams, and external advisors
Safeguarding data privacy and process consistency in a fully remote environment

Impact you’ll deliver

Accurate, on-time monthly and ad hoc payroll runs that maintain employee trust and legal compliance
Detailed payroll journals and reconciliations that feed seamlessly into month-end close processes
Comprehensive payroll reports (cost analyses, headcount metrics, statutory filings) that inform strategic decisions
Robust controls and audit-ready documentation that reduce risk and support UK statutory requirements
A reliable, responsive payroll service that strengthens client relationships and supports business growth

Responsibilities

Process end-to-end UK payrolls: data collection, gross-to-net calculations, deductions, and net-pay distributions
Manage statutory filings and payments: PAYE, National Insurance contributions, student loans, pension auto-enrolment
Reconcile payroll ledger accounts, investigate variances, and prepare adjustment journals for month-end close
Maintain and update employee records: starter/leaver forms, pay rate changes, benefits, and leave balances
Generate payroll reports and dashboards for management, HR partners, and finance teams
Liaise with UK-based HR, finance, and external advisers (HMRC, pension providers) to resolve queries
Ensure payroll processes adhere to GDPR, UK employment law, and internal control policies
Recommend and implement process improvements, automation, and best practices

Requirements

3–5 years’ hands-on payroll experience, ideally supporting UK-based or multi-jurisdiction clients
Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, tax codes, statutory leave and pay rules
Proficiency with payroll software (e.g., Sage, ADP, payslips.co.uk) and Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP)
Experience reconciling payroll accounts and preparing supporting journals for finance teams
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical details clearly
Self-motivated, organized, and comfortable managing competing deadlines in a remote setup
Based in South Africa with a stable internet connection and availability during core UK working hours (9am–5pm GMT)

Preferred qualifications

Payroll accreditation (e.g., CIPP/IPP) or relevant local certification
Experience with ERP integrations or payroll APIs
Familiarity with UK pension auto-enrolment schemes and benefits administration
Prior exposure to multi-currency and expatriate payroll processes
Proven track record of process improvements and automation in payroll operations

Ideal candidate profile

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented payroll professional who thrives in a remote environment and excels at delivering flawless pay runs under tight deadlines. You have a solid command of UK payroll legislation, a knack for process optimization, and strong stakeholder-management skills across time zones. Your proactive communication style, commitment to data integrity, and continuous-improvement mindset make you a trusted partner to HR and finance teams alike.

Payroll Specialist (Talent Pool)