Payroll Reconciliation Specialist

Sector: Higher Education

Role type: Interim

Location: London (Hybrid)
Rate: £32 - £38 per hour (umbrella)

A leading London-based higher education institution is seeking an experienced Interim Payroll Reconciliation Specialist. This is a pivotal role in a large, complex environment, supporting accurate payroll reconciliation and ensuring complete confidence in pay-related financial controls.

You will join a large team that supports several thousand employees across academic, research and professional services functions. As part of the HR/Payroll team, you'll play a critical role in strengthening payroll accuracy, compliance and financial integrity during a period of organisational change.

The Role

You will take ownership of payroll control and suspense account reconciliations, ensuring pay overs to statutory bodies and third parties are accurate and compliant. Working closely with Payroll, Finance and Pensions colleagues, you'll investigate discrepancies, resolve issues and produce journals to correct errors.

This role requires someone who is highly analytical, comfortable managing large volumes of data, and able to maintain rigorous financial controls in a complex, multi-cost centre environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete timely and accurate reconciliation of payroll control and suspense accounts
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies across payroll, pensions and finance activity
• Ensure accurate pay overs to HMRC and third-party agencies
• Prepare journals, adjustments and corrections as required
• Manage the overpayments suspense account and highlight emerging issues
• Support month-end and year-end processes, including compliance with HMRC legislation
• Liaise with staff regarding overpayments and returned salary payments
• Assist with internal and external audits, supplying data and insights
• Arrange BACS recalls and work with treasury to allocate returns
• Maintain up-to-date professional knowledge and support best practice within the team

Essential experience:

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant
• Significant experience in payroll or financial reconciliation roles
• Strong understanding of payroll legislation, compliance and accounting principles
• Experience in higher education or public sector environments
• Advanced Excel and strong general IT skills
• Experience working collaboratively with finance, payroll and operational stakeholders

• Experience with Oracle HR/Payroll or similar systems
• Business Objects reporting skills