Pay & Bill Specialist - #2151739

Prospero Group is seeking an experienced Payroll & Billing Specialist to oversee and support the payroll and billing processes, ensuring that all tasks are completed accurately, efficiently and in line with company procedures and legislative requirements.

The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of the end-to-end payroll process, from initial preparation through to submission and final sign-off. While the completion of payroll processing is undertaken overseas, this role will be responsible for reviewing, overseeing and signing off the process, ensuring all necessary checks and controls have been completed.

Alongside payroll responsibilities, the role will support the billing function, including client onboarding, self-billing processes and ensuring invoices are raised accurately and contain all documentation and attachments required by individual clients.

The role will also contribute to continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to streamline payroll and billing processes, improve controls and enhance efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll

• Oversee the payroll process from preparation through to submission and final sign-off.
• Review payroll outputs prepared overseas, ensuring all required tasks and checks have been completed accurately.
• Complete and/or oversee key payroll controls, including:
• National Minimum Wage (NMW) checks.
• Overpayment and advance deduction checks.
• Review of payroll amendments and adjustments.
• Validation of payroll data and exceptions.
• Ensuring relevant payroll documentation and approvals are in place.
• Sign off payroll once all required checks and processes have been satisfactorily completed.
• Investigate and resolve payroll queries from employees, workers, clients and internal stakeholders.
• Liaise effectively with the overseas payroll team to resolve discrepancies and ensure deadlines are met.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and ensure processes comply with relevant legislation and internal controls.
• Identify recurring payroll issues and recommend improvements to reduce errors and increase efficiency.

Billing

• Understand and oversee the end-to-end billing process.
• Support the onboarding of new clients from a billing perspective, ensuring all relevant requirements are understood and incorporated into the process.
• Process and oversee self-billing arrangements where applicable.
• Ensure invoices are raised accurately and in accordance with client-specific requirements.
• Check that all required supporting documentation and attachments are included with invoices before submission.
• Ensure client billing deadlines and contractual requirements are met.
• Investigate and resolve billing queries and discrepancies.
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure payroll and billing information is accurate and aligned.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and billing processes, controls and workflows.
• Review existing procedures and recommend practical improvements.
• Help implement process changes and ensure new procedures are clearly documented.
• Look for opportunities to reduce manual administration, minimise errors and improve turnaround times.
• Support the development of robust controls around payroll and billing activities.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Previous experience working within payroll, with a good understanding of the end-to-end payroll process.
• Experience reviewing or overseeing payroll processing and carrying out payroll checks.
• Good understanding of payroll legislation and requirements, including National Minimum Wage.
• Experience dealing with payroll queries and resolving discrepancies.
• Experience within a billing/accounts environment.
• Understanding of invoicing processes and client billing requirements.
• Experience with self-billing or similar client-specific billing arrangements.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, with the confidence to liaise with internal teams, clients and overseas processing teams.
• Experience using payroll systems and accounting/finance systems.
• A proactive approach to identifying and implementing process improvements.

Desirable

• Experience within a high-volume payroll or billing environment.
• Experience working with an outsourced or overseas payroll team.
• Experience within the recruitment, staffing or professional services sector.
• Knowledge of multiple payroll and accounting systems.
• Experience supporting client onboarding processes.
• Relevant payroll or accounting qualification, such as CIPP, AAT or equivalent.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be:

• Detail-oriented - able to identify discrepancies and ensure processes are completed accurately.
• Analytical - comfortable reviewing payroll and billing information and investigating anomalies.
• Organised - able to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Proactive - willing to identify issues and suggest improvements rather than simply following existing processes.
• Commercially aware - understands the importance of accurate, timely billing and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Confident communicator - able to communicate effectively with colleagues, clients and external/overseas teams.
• Accountable - comfortable taking ownership of the review and sign-off process.