Payroll Specialist - Auditing Experience

Summary: The Payroll Specialist role focuses on leading a comprehensive audit of pensionable pay processes to ensure accuracy and compliance within payroll operations. This position requires a detailed examination of payroll records and collaboration with various teams to identify inconsistencies and implement best practices. The contract is for three weeks, starting on January 12th, and is classified as inside IR35. The role is remote and offers a daily rate of £280.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct a detailed audit of pensionable pay processes across all employee categories.
• Review payroll records to confirm correct pensionable earnings and contribution calculations.
• Identify inconsistencies, gaps, or non-compliance with pension scheme rules.
• Assess treatment of allowances, bonuses, overtime, and other pay elements in relation to pensionable pay.
• Collaborate with Payroll, HR, and Pensions teams to understand current practices and historical context.
• Produce a clear, evidence-based audit report with findings, risk assessments, and actionable recommendations.
• Support implementation of changes to ensure future compliance and best practice.
• Advise on policy updates or controls to strengthen accuracy and transparency.

Key Skills:

• Proven experience in payroll operations, ideally in a public sector or large-scale environment.
• Strong understanding of pensionable pay rules within occupational pension schemes.
• Knowledge of HMRC payroll regulations, pension contributions, and statutory requirements.
• Experience conducting audits, investigations, or internal reviews.
• High attention to detail and accuracy, with strong analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficiency with payroll systems and Excel/data analysis tools.

Salary (Rate): £280 per day

City: undetermined

Country: UK

Working Arrangements: remote

IR35 Status: inside IR35

Seniority Level: undetermined

Industry: Other

Detailed Description From Employer:

• Payroll Specialist - Auditing Exp
• Remote
• 3 week contract - 12th January Start
• Inside of IR35
• £280 per day

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to lead a comprehensive audit of our pensionable pay processes. This critical role ensures accuracy, compliance, and best practice across our payroll operations, with a focus on pensionable earnings and contributions.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct a detailed audit of pensionable pay processes across all employee categories.
• Review payroll records to confirm correct pensionable earnings and contribution calculations.
• Identify inconsistencies, gaps, or non-compliance with pension scheme rules.
• Assess treatment of allowances, bonuses, overtime, and other pay elements in relation to pensionable pay.
• Collaborate with Payroll, HR, and Pensions teams to understand current practices and historical context.
• Produce a clear, evidence-based audit report with findings, risk assessments, and actionable recommendations.
• Support implementation of changes to ensure future compliance and best practice.
• Advise on policy updates or controls to strengthen accuracy and transparency.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in payroll operations, ideally in a public sector or large-scale environment.
• Strong understanding of pensionable pay rules within occupational pension schemes.
• Knowledge of HMRC payroll regulations, pension contributions, and statutory requirements.
• Experience conducting audits, investigations, or internal reviews.
• High attention to detail and accuracy, with strong analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficiency with payroll systems and Excel/data analysis tools.

Desirable Skills

• Experience working with external auditors or regulatory bodies.
• Familiarity with pensions administration systems or payroll software (eg, SAP).
• Professional qualifications such as CIPP (Payroll) or IIA (Internal Auditing).

If you are available and interested, please apply today!

Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.