Payroll Lead (Practice Environment)

Our client is a long-established, family-run accountancy practice based in Haslemere, Surrey. With a close-knit team of around eight employees, they provide accountancy, bookkeeping, payroll and wider business support services to a varied portfolio of clients across multiple sectors. The practice is known for its friendly, hands-on approach and long-standing client relationships, offering a supportive and collaborative working environment. This is a key hire within the business and a confidential requirement due to immediate operational need within the payroll function., The Payroll Lead will take responsibility for end-to-end payroll processing across approximately 80 client payrolls within a busy accountancy practice environment. You will manage a varied portfolio of payrolls with a strong month-end focus, ensuring all client payrolls are processed accurately, on time, and in line with statutory requirements. This is a hands-on role within a small practice where organisation, accuracy and communication are essential. You will also act as a key point of contact for payroll queries, supporting both clients and internal colleagues, and working closely with practice systems and external payroll support where required.,

• End-to-end processing of approximately 90 client payrolls across a practice portfolio
• Managing a mix of monthly, weekly, fortnightly, 4-weekly and annual payroll runs
• Handling predominantly small payrolls (mostly under 20 employees per client)
• Ensuring accurate and timely payroll submissions, with particular focus on month-end deadlines
• Processing updates from client submissions, including variable pay, adjustments and changes
• Acting as a key point of contact for client payroll queries via phone and email
• Liaising with clients to gather payroll information and resolve queries
• Working with outsourced payroll providers where applicable
• Supporting invoicing triggers and practice workflows using internal systems
• Maintaining accurate records across multiple payroll schemes
• Ensuring full compliance with HMRC regulations and statutory requirements
• Supporting smooth payroll operations across a busy, deadline-driven environment
  
  Previous experience in payroll within an accountancy practice environment
• Experience managing multiple client payrolls (essential - not single-company payroll only)
• Strong understanding of payroll processing, HMRC requirements and statutory obligations
• Ability to manage multiple payroll cycles and deadlines simultaneously
• Confident handling client communication and payroll queries professionally
• High attention to detail and strong organisational skills
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, small-team environment
• Experience with Sage 50 Payroll would be beneficial but not essential
• Familiarity with IRIS systems (Accounts Production / Practice Management) would be advantageous
• Semi-senior accountant with payroll exposure may also be considered
• Reliable, calm under pressure, and able to manage workload independently
Systems & Training The role will involve working with:
• Sage 50 Payroll
• IRIS Accounts Production
• IRIS Practice Management Suite
Training can be provided where required, but adaptability and confidence in learning new systems are important (proven Sage 50 Payroll being the ideal background for the role).