Head of Payroll & Deputy Lead

Job description

KPMG is part of a global network of firms that offers Audit, Tax & Pensions, Consulting, Deal Advisory and Technology services. Through the talent of over 16,000 colleagues, we bring our creativity and insight to our clients’ most critical challenges.

With offices across the UK, we work with everyone from small start-ups and individuals to major multinationals, in virtually every industry imaginable. Our work is often complex, yet our vision is simple: to be the clear choice for our clients, for our people and for the communities we work in.

The Finance Operations Hub:

The Finance Operations team is a multi skilled group of teams providing wide ranging finance support to the whole of KPMG.  It includes Expenses, Payroll, WIP & Billing, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and the finance and expenses management helpline.

The team uses a variety of channels, from telephone and email to the latest in self service via Get Finance.  Our teams have deep and relevant experience in their subjects and can advise on a variety of core systems and processes.  From paying staff and suppliers to billing our clients, we are constantly involved in the firm’s day to day activities.

As part of the Finance team, the Payroll Department is responsible for the regular monthly payment of over 17,000 employees based in the UK.  Based in the UK, the Payroll department has 11 members of staff dealing with the payment of employees from all of KPMG’s UK offices. 

Head of Payroll - Role Description 

• The Head of Payroll requires significant knowledge on payroll and related processes and will lead a team of 10 payroll administrators based in the UK, along with a third-party suppliers.  Provides a best practice model of payroll, sharing knowledge and working through complex issues and solutions with the payroll team
• Leads the payroll team to deliver processes for circa 17,000 KPMG colleagues across the UK ensuring employees are paid timely and accurately, through a compliant process
• Reviews and approves the final payroll processes each pay period
• Ensures Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for payroll are clearly defined, achieved, and measured regularly
• Monitors service metrics to meet agreed targets
• Responsible for the management of payroll vendors, including cost, contract and performance management to required SLAs/KPIs
• Responsible for overseeing file transmissions and reconciliations with 3rd party payroll related vendors
• Establishes and maintains payroll controls and payroll related procedures for regulatory compliance
• Accountable for monthly reconciliation of payroll control accounts and validating all payroll postings to the Finance systems
• Accountable for effective payroll risk management
• Responsible for process improvements, operational streamlining and exceptional client service
• Ensures service delivery quality for all processes and procedures, keeping third parties accountable if necessary
• Complies with all the payroll financial and legal requirements, responsibilities and obligations including statutory and regulatory obligations and mandatory reporting
• Enhances the provision of payroll information to inform decision making and maintain cost control
• Establishes good relationships with the Finance CoE, Head of Reward and Benefits, and OEH Hub Leads amongst other key stakeholders
• Responds to queries from HMRC
• Ensures compliance with GDPR regulations
• Performance Manager to the payroll team leads, building a high performing team of payroll experts

Deputy to the Head of Finance Operations

Deputising for the Head of Finance Operations when required.  This would include but is not limited to:

• Participating in OEH Leads’ and Finance team meetings on behalf of the Head of Finance Operations
• Guiding and managing the senior managers of other areas of the finance operations team, when required, on behalf of the Head of Finance Operations
• Building up the Finance Operations community within the local office (expected to be Leeds)
• Leading and delivering Payroll and wider Finance Operations projects as directed by the Head of Finance Operations

The Person

Skills and experience:

• Experience of leading and having accountability for a large and multi-locational department (both multiple locations in the UK and an offshore team) of colleagues who are relatively junior
• Demonstrable extensive experience of leading payroll and finance operations teams
• Strong understanding of HMRC payroll requirements
• A strong leadership track record including the management of teams in a virtual environment
• Strong influencing and complex stakeholder management skills across all levels of KPMG and a dedication to excellent customer service delivery
• Advanced qualifications reflective of a high degree of numeracy and accounting knowledge
• Experience of Finance Shared Services
• Experience of assessing control environments and making best practice recommendations
• A high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills, communication and conduct and a proven ability to build strong relationships across functions
• Highly organised, able to work to deadlines in a fast-paced environment and to manage conflicting priorities, in co-ordination with stakeholders
• Knowledge of SAP / S4Hana
• A flexible and positive attitude towards change; resilient, self-motivated
• Must be able to deal with sensitivities relating to financial and payroll elements of the role
• Proven ability to manage a substantial budget with effective accountability.
• Ability to quickly understand the KPMG and KBS strategy and governance to operate effectively
• A motivated team leader with a "can-do" and solutions focused attitude with strong coaching and mentoring skills
• Strong communication skills – able to question effectively, listen and apply judgement
• Strong project management skills to enable identification of required tasks and deadlines and planning and prioritisation of these tasks in an appropriate manner
• Recognises the importance of continuous self and team development and actively strives to achieve this
• Helps others to understand how their work contributes to the overall success of an engagement and the wider firm
• Adheres to and is an advocate of the KPMG values and behaviours
• Significant people management experience, capable of inspiring and empowering leadership of enthusiastic teams and passionate individuals.  Ability to think creatively, motivate, develop, and proactively adapt to changing environments
• Well-developed analytical skills.

Diversity and Inclusion

Commitment to Diversity

Our employees have many varied work schedules to suit their individual needs. Our intelligent working options range from role sharing and flexible start and finish times, to home working and more informal arrangements agreed within teams. Check out examples of KPMG employees enjoying different working patterns on our website and please do share your own individual requirements with us. We are proud of the value we place on individuality.

We want you to bring your full self to work and maximise your potential. KPMG is a place where everyone can thrive, whatever their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background. We value the wealth of experience and knowledge that people who have taken a career break can bring to us. This role welcomes applications for individuals who have been out of work for 18 months or more and who have previous relevant experience.

Applying with Disability

As a member of the Business Disability Forum, we're committed to ensuring a great experience for colleagues with a disability. Should you be successful after the initial application stage, please discuss any adjustments that you may require with your recruitment contact.

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