Payroll Officer (Remote/South Africa)

Role Purpose

The Payroll Officer is responsible for delivering accurate, compliant and timely payroll services across a portfolio of client accounts.
This is an end-to-end payroll position within a busy payroll bureau. The postholder will manage multiple payrolls with different pay frequencies, requirements and deadlines, while providing a responsive and professional service directly to clients.
The role requires strong practical payroll knowledge, a clear understanding of HMRC rules and reporting requirements, and previous experience of working within a payroll bureau environment. The successful candidate will also be confident using payroll and related technology, able to learn new systems quickly and comfortable adapting to new software and processes.

Although the role is fully remote, the Payroll Officer will be an active and collaborative member of the wider team.

Key Responsibilities

End-to-End Payroll Processing
•Manage a designated portfolio of client payrolls from receipt of payroll information through to final payroll completion.
•Accurately process starters, leavers, salary changes, overtime, bonuses, commissions, allowances, deductions and other payroll adjustments.
Complete payroll reconciliations and undertake detailed checks before payrolls are finalised.

HMRC Compliance and Reporting
•Maintain a strong working knowledge of PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments and other relevant payroll legislation.
•Complete and submit Full Payment Submissions and Employer Payment Summaries accurately and within the required timescales.
•Process amendments, corrections and earlier year updates where required.
•Support clients with HMRC queries and assist in resolving payroll reporting discrepancies.
•Monitor relevant legislative and HMRC changes and apply these correctly to client payrolls.
•Ensure that all payroll activity complies with statutory requirements, internal procedures and agreed client service standards.

Pensions and Benefits Reporting
•Assess workers for workplace pension purposes and process automatic enrolment, postponement, opt-in, joining and opt-out activity.
•Prepare and upload pension contribution files to a range of pension provider portals.
•Investigate and resolve pension file errors, rejected records and contribution discrepancies.
•Prepare, review and submit P11D and P11D(b) returns.
•Process benefits and expenses information accurately and in accordance with HMRC requirements.
•Support payrolling of benefits where applicable.

Client Account Management
•Act as a key point of contact for an allocated portfolio of payroll clients.
•Build effective and professional working relationships with clients.
•Respond to payroll queries promptly, clearly and accurately.
•Provide clients with practical guidance on payroll processes, reporting requirements and routine compliance matters.
•Manage competing client priorities while maintaining accuracy and service quality.
•Identify potential issues early and escalate complex, sensitive or higher-risk matters appropriately.

Systems and Technology
•Use payroll software, client relationship management systems, secure portals, pension platforms and other digital tools confidently.
•Learn new payroll software and related systems quickly and apply that learning effectively.
•Follow information security, data protection and secure working procedures at all times.
Teamworking and Continuous Improvement
•Work collaboratively with colleagues despite operating in a fully remote environment.
•Communicate proactively regarding payroll progress, client issues, deadlines and workload.
•Support colleagues with technical queries and peer checking where appropriate.
•Take responsibility for continuing professional development and maintaining current payroll knowledge.
•Contribute ideas that improve payroll quality, efficiency, controls and client service.

Person Specification

Experience
•Demonstrable experience of processing payroll from start to finish.
•Recent experience of working within a payroll bureau, accountancy practice, outsourced payroll provider or similar multi-client environment.
•Experience of completing pension file uploads and dealing with pension provider portals.
•Experience of preparing or supporting P11D and P11D(b) submissions.

Knowledge
•Solid working knowledge of PAYE and National Insurance.
•Strong understanding of Real Time Information reporting and HMRC submission requirements.
•Good working knowledge of statutory payments.
•Understanding of workplace pension automatic enrolment requirements.
•Knowledge of payroll year-end and tax-year processes.
•Understanding of benefits reporting and P11D requirements.
•Awareness of confidentiality, UK GDPR and the secure handling of payroll data.

Skills and Attributes
•Excellent attention to detail and a consistently high level of accuracy.
•Strong numerical and analytical skills.
•Ability to learn unfamiliar software quickly and independently.
•Strong spreadsheet skills, including the confident use of Microsoft Excel.
•Excellent organisation and time-management skills.
•Ability to manage several payrolls and deadlines simultaneously.
•Confident, professional and responsive when dealing directly with clients.
•Clear written and verbal communication skills.
•Ability to explain payroll matters in a straightforward and helpful way.
•Calm and methodical when working under pressure.
•Able to identify discrepancies and investigate problems thoroughly.
•Reliable, accountable and comfortable taking ownership of client payrolls.
•Collaborative and supportive, with a genuine commitment to being part of a remote team.
•Willingness to ask questions, share knowledge and escalate concerns appropriately.
•Commitment to maintaining current payroll knowledge and delivering a high-quality service.

Additional Requirements

Because this is a fully remote role, the postholder must be able to work effectively from home and maintain a reliable, professional and secure working environment.

The postholder will be expected to attend virtual meetings, remain accessible during agreed working hours and communicate proactively with colleagues and clients.

Payroll processing is deadline-driven. Some flexibility may therefore be required during particularly busy periods, including payroll year-end and statutory reporting deadlines

Application

Please send your CV to collegeconnect@geminiworx.co.uk.