Payroll Manager – Education Focused (ORPSTR01)

Affinia, formally known as Baxter & Co, is a leading, UK Top 50 Accountancy firm. Through successful acquisitions and organic growth, the firm has seen significant development within the last 18 months. Last October we launched our new brand ‘Affinia’ (www.affinia.co.uk) which saw the coming together of LB Group and six other likeminded firms across the East & South East of England to form a combined challenger accounting, tax and business advisory firm.

With a combined heritage spanning over 300 years, we have more than 400 accountancy professionals based in Stratford, Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Halstead, Harlow, Orpington, Sidcup and Sutton. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across seven principal practice groups: Accountancy & Advisory, Tax and Planning, Audit Services, Corporate Finance, Digital Solutions, Payroll and Financial Planning.

We have invested continuously in technology and gained in-depth knowledge across a broad range of markets, growing through acquisitions and private investment. We offer an exceptional service to our clients, with access to our sector experts to develop the strategy that will help them reach their goals. We keep a finger on the industry pulse, so our clients receive the best short to medium and long-term advice.

Purpose of the role:
As a Payroll Manager at Affinia, a growing accountancy business, you will take the lead in managing the payroll operations for our education sector clients. Your expertise will be crucial in shaping and enhancing the payroll service offering to meet the unique needs of educational institutions. You will be responsible for overseeing the full payroll process, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and timely delivery of payroll services to clients in the education sector. You will work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to refine and expand our payroll services, ensuring they align with both current and future client needs as our business continues to grow. This role is key to driving our business growth by offering tailored, efficient, and reliable payroll solutions that support the success of our education sector clients.

Accountabilities:
As a Payroll Manager at Affinia, a growing accountancy business, you will take the lead in managing the payroll operations for our education sector clients. Your expertise will be crucial in shaping and enhancing the payroll service offering to meet the unique needs of educational institutions. You will be responsible for overseeing the full payroll process, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and timely delivery of payroll services to clients in the education sector.

You will work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to refine and expand our payroll services, ensuring they align with both current and future client needs as our business continues to grow. This role is key to driving our business growth by offering tailored, efficient, and reliable payroll solutions that support the success of our education sector clients.

Skills / Qualifications:

• Proven track record of managing or overseeing payroll functions in an accountancy practice, particularly within the education sector. This includes experience working with schools, academies, and other educational institutions. Familiarity with the complexities of multiple payroll cycles and varying employee types (e.g., teachers, support staff, part-time staff) is essential.
• In-depth understanding of payroll processes, tax laws, and statutory requirements, that apply to the education sector. This includes knowledge of Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) regulations, auto-enrolment, statutory sick pay (SSP), and other sector-specific payroll compliance matters.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills.
• Proficiency in payroll software and MS Office.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity.

Please click here to view the role and apply with a CV and Covering Letter.