Payroll & Accounts Assistant

Payroll & Accounts Assistant, Stevenage

Salary: Up to £30,000

This role plays an essential part in the company’s client operations. You will be handling both payroll and accounting tasks, managing payroll for clients while assisting with bookkeeping, VAT returns and preparing accounts.

Key Responsibilities:

?Payroll Management

• ?Manage and process client payrolls accurately and on time, ensuring all deadlines are met.

• Address client payroll queries, advising on PAYE, NIC, statutory payments, and pension contributions.
• Handle payrolls with more complex requirements, such as director-only payrolls and benefits administration.
• Ensure payroll compliance with HMRC requirements, including RTI submissions, P45s, P60s, and year-end processing.
• Assist with the setup of new PAYE schemes and auto enrolment processes, including liaising with HMRC on PAYE queries.

?Accounts & Bookkeeping

• Prepare accounts up to trial balance for a range of clients, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting standards.

• Prepare and submit VAT returns, ensuring timely and accurate submissions.
• Maintain accurate financial records, including bank reconciliations, using software like Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage.
• Liaise with clients regularly to gather financial data, resolve queries, and provide updates on their financial status.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes and client service offerings.?

Qualifications & Skills

• ?Minimum of 3 years of experience in payroll processing, ideally with knowledge of UK payroll legislation and multi-client payrolls.

• Experience in bookkeeping, VAT returns, and preparing accounts to trial balance.
• Proficiency in BrightPay (or similar payroll software), Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage is essential.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple clients and meet deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain accounting and payroll issues in simple terms to clients.
• Relevant payroll certifications (e.g., CIPP) preferred but not essential.
• Knowledge of CIS tax is desirable but not essential.

Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week (office based)

On site parking

28 days holiday plus birthday and Christmas closing

Vouchers given for birthdays and Christmas

It is with regret that we are unable to respond personally to each individual application due to the high volume of CVs we receive on a daily basis. However, if you have not heard from us within 7 days, please take it that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.This vacancy is being advertised by Fresh Recruit Ltd who are acting as an employment agency business