Payroll Trainee

Plymouth/ Weston-super-Mare

Westcotts is a Top 50+50 Accountancy Practice and Top 50 Apprenticeship Employer with over 290 team members across Devon and Somerset. We are currently looking for a Payroll Trainee to join us on a permanent full-time basis in either our Plymouth or Weston-Super-Mare offices.

You will undertake both practical and theoretical training whilst studying for your CIPP qualification under an apprenticeship agreement. The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) is a professional qualification which can help you to achieve a rewarding career in Payroll.  Studying for the Level 3 CIPP apprenticeship qualification includes learning the fundamentals of Payroll and the standards. We will not only offer you support and mentoring throughout your training, but we will also fund the training, and pay you your normal salary on the days you attend classes or time in the office to study. You will also receive regular pay reviews.

It is not just about studying though as 80% of your time will be gaining valuable work experience supporting the rest of the team in providing a range of Payroll services to our clients. Our payroll team provides outsourced payroll services to an array of businesses all from different sectors. With the support of the wider team, you will be responsible for running client payrolls each month. The role will see you gain some general practice experience working alongside out accounts team in the first twelve months which help you gain a holistic view of the services we provide to our clients.

Main Duties

The main duties are the following but will be varied to maximise your strengths: –

• Collect, compile, and enter payroll data using appropriate software.
• Review and verify source documents.
• Calculate and post payroll deductions.
• Process payroll by established deadlines.
• Issue statements of earnings and deductions.
• Reconcile employee deductions.
• Investigate and correct payroll discrepancies and errors.
• Update payroll records by recording changes including auto enrolment pension, loan payments, salary increases.
• Process new employees, terminations, transfers, and promotions.
• Prepare and print payroll reports of earnings, hours worked, PAYE tax and National Insurance, auto enrolment pension, leave.
• Address employee’s pay-related concerns and provide accurate payroll information.
• Complete requests for pay-related documents including statements and verifications.
• Produce HMRC payments.
• Develop, manage, and maintain comprehensive payroll records.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC regulations and guidelines.
• Assistance with general office administration duties from time to time.

This job description summarises the main duties and responsibilities of the post, however the list is not exhaustive as the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties and projects of similar level and responsibility.

Attributes, Skills, Experience and Qualifications

Ideally candidates will have the following attributes, skills, experience, and qualifications: –

• Analytical, methodical, and numerical.
• Outgoing, socially confident, and emotionally controlled.
• A positive attitude, friendly, and personable.
• Resilient, able to multi-task, and work independently / flexibly.
• Adaptable, organised, and conscientious.
• Takes the initiative, ability to prioritise, and meet deadlines.
• Professional and team orientated in approach.
• Good working knowledge of Word and Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with proven accuracy, and an eye for detail.
• Ability to learn new IT skills quickly.

 

As the role requires the ability to study and pass formal exams, we would look for a strong track record in obtaining qualifications often indicated by strong results in GCSE’s, A-levels (or equivalent), however other academic history will also be considered. The successful candidate must also meet the apprenticeship eligibility requirements.

 

Terms / Benefits

• Ideally 36.25 hours / 5 days per week (flexible and hybrid working available).
• Annual salary review.
• 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays increasing to 25 days plus bank holidays after 3 years’ service.
• Opportunity to carry over one week’s holiday into the following year.
• Death in service 3 x annual salary.
• Access to Westfield Rewards and Health scheme.
• 24-hour external Employee Assistance Programme helpline.
• Flexible benefits including Buy and Sell holiday, Cycle to Work, Payroll Charity Giving and Private Medical Insurance.
• Introducing clients and staff commission schemes.
• Pension 3% rising to 4% (but matched up to 6%) after 4 years’ service.
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay after one years’ service.

 

How to apply

To apply for this position, please upload your CV along with a covering letter providing information on why you feel you would be suitable for the role in particular in regards to the desired attributes, skills, experience and qualifications. Please also state your current salary (if applicable), salary expectations and available start date.