Catalyst Partners
Payroll Accountant – FTC (6–8 Months)
London – Hybrid Working
£70,000 + bonus & benefits
Client: Confidential – Leading UK Financial Services Group
About the Company and the Role
Our client is a highly regarded financial services organisation with a significant presence across the UK. As the business continues to evolve its HR and Finance operations, an opportunity has arisen for an experienced Payroll Accountant to join on a 6–8 month fixed‑term contract.
This role sits at the intersection of HR, Payroll and Finance, providing critical oversight across all payroll accounting activity for the UK. Working closely with payroll, benefits and multiple finance teams, the successful candidate will manage business‑as‑usual processes across weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual cycles.
Beyond the core workload, this role is designed to support continuous improvement. The Payroll Accountant will be expected to identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve reporting, strengthen internal controls and deliver greater operational efficiency across the payroll accounting landscape.
This position requires an individual who is immediately available, with an anticipated start date shortly after the Easter break.
Key Responsibilities
• Manage end‑to‑end payroll accounting processes across weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual cycles.
• Reconcile payroll balance sheet accounts and ensure accurate posting of payroll journals.
• Partner with UK payroll and benefits teams to ensure data integrity, timely processing and compliance.
• Collaborate with Finance teams across the UK on reporting, period close activities and audits.
• Review existing processes and controls, proactively identifying opportunities to simplify, automate and improve efficiency.
• Support statutory reporting requirements and provide documentation for internal and external audits.
Candidate Profile
• Strong experience in payroll accounting, ideally within a complex or highly regulated environment; financial services experience preferred.
• A solid understanding of payroll processes, financial controls and reconciliations.
• Comfortable working across HR, Payroll and Finance with the ability to build effective relationships quickly.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple periodic cycles.
• Confident analysing data, improving processes and enhancing internal controls.
• Immediately available or available at short notice; able to start following the Easter break.
