The Role
Manage end-to-end complex client payrolls (weekly, monthly, annual) including payrolled benefits, share schemes, Teachers' Pensions, expatriate and multi-entity payrolls. Lead HMRC submissions, year-end processes, auto-enrolment and pension administration. Act as technical authority, advise clients, mentor juniors, support IRIS Payroll implementations and improve bureau practices.
Summary Generated by Built In
The Senior Payroll Advisor is a client-facing role at one of the UK's leading professional services firms. You'll take ownership of a portfolio of complex, high-frequency client payrolls spanning multiple sectors, including payrolled benefits, share schemes, Teachers' Pensions, complex pension arrangements, and international assignments. You won't just be processing payroll; you'll be the technical authority your clients and colleagues rely on. Expect to advise, mentor, problem-solve, and shape how the payroll bureau operates. If you're an experienced payroll professional who thrives on complexity and wants a role where your expertise genuinely matters, this is worth reading on.
Romford-based with hybrid working, just one day a week in the office. Easily commutable via the Elizabeth line from central and east London, and across Essex.
Romford-based with hybrid working, just one day a week in the office. Easily commutable via the Elizabeth line from central and east London, and across Essex.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage end-to-end payrolls across weekly, monthly, and annual cycles for complex multi-site client portfolios, including payrolled benefits, share schemes, Teachers' Pensions, and expatriate payrolls
- Handle variable and complex pay structures across multiple sites, brands, and legal entities, each with different pay rules and management structures
- Manage all HMRC correspondence, RTI submissions, statutory filings, and year-end processes including P60 production and reconciliations
- Administer auto-enrolment and complex pension schemes in line with The Pensions Regulator requirements
- Operate IRIS Payroll Professional at an advanced level; support system implementations, parallel runs, and new client onboarding
- Advise clients confidently on holiday pay, Working Time Regulations, and statutory payments for irregular earnings
- Mentor and develop junior team members and contribute to best practice across the bureau
- Act as a trusted senior point of contact for clients, resolving complex issues proactively and clearly
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- Minimum 3 years' payroll processing experience, ideally in a bureau or client-facing professional services environment
- Strong, current knowledge of UK payroll legislation, auto-enrolment, complex pensions, and statutory compliance
- Experience with expatriate, international, and multi-entity payrolls
- Advanced proficiency in IRIS Payroll Professional
- Confident managing client relationships and complex payroll queries independently
- Strong Excel skills including formulas for data analysis and reporting
- Excellent communicator, able to translate technical detail into clear, practical advice
- CIPP qualification is a definite advantage, though not essential
Job Benefits
- Salary: Transparent pay framework & promotion opportunities to recognise your contributions and performance.
- Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 25 days plus three days off at Christmas.
- Flexible Working: We're committed to a positive work-life balance, offering a hybrid working policy that prioritises your well-being and flexibility.
- Comprehensive Wellbeing Support: Private Health Insurance, Access to Digicare+, Employee Assistance Programme, and more!
- Professional Subscriptions: Invest in your growth and development.
- Inclusive Employer: Be part of a diverse team with equity, inclusion, and flexibility at the core
For full details of the role, please download the full job description.
About
At Moore Kingston Smith, we believe in the potential of people to make a positive impact, fuelled by the power of genuine understanding. Working with small, medium and large clients, we are a multi-disciplinary advisory, tax and audit firm with expertise across multiple sectors, uniquely positioned to help people realise their ambitions. Our London and regional teams deliver quality results locally and nationally, and worldwide alongside the Moore Global network. Through respect, collaboration and active listening, understanding is at the heart of everything we do with our clients, colleagues and communities. We value people and projects that promote positive change for the future. Come and join us to make a difference.
Skills Required
- Minimum 3 years payroll processing experience, ideally in a bureau or client-facing professional services environment
- Strong, current knowledge of UK payroll legislation, auto-enrolment, complex pensions, and statutory compliance
- Experience with expatriate, international, and multi-entity payrolls
- Advanced proficiency in IRIS Payroll Professional
- Confident managing client relationships and resolving complex payroll queries independently
- Strong Excel skills, including formulas for data analysis and reporting
- Ability to mentor and develop junior team members and contribute to bureau best practice
- CIPP qualification
- Able to be Romford-based with hybrid working (one day a week in the office)
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The Company
What We Do
Moore Kingston Smith is a multi-disciplinary advisory, tax, and audit firm with expertise across multiple sectors, uniquely positioned to help people realize their ambitions.
