Payroll Analyst

About The Company
CMA Recruitment Group is recruiting on behalf of an established commercial business for an experienced Payroll Analyst. The organisation offers a supportive team environment and the opportunity to contribute to a business with international payroll activity. The successful candidate will work closely with colleagues in HR and Finance, as well as external payroll providers, to help deliver accurate and dependable payroll services.
About The Role
This is a 9–12 month fixed-term contract based in Portsmouth, with hybrid working available. You will support the accurate and timely processing of a monthly UK payroll covering approximately 700 employees, while also gaining exposure to a smaller Spanish payroll. Strong UK payroll experience is the priority; previous international payroll experience is useful but not essential.
The role will suit a detail-focused payroll professional who is confident managing their workload, investigating issues and taking ownership of tasks through to resolution. You will contribute to payroll controls, reconciliations and analysis, helping ensure that payroll information is accurate and processes are followed consistently. As the business continues to develop its international activity, there may also be opportunities to support additional payroll work and broaden your experience.
Qualifications
You will bring practical payroll experience and a strong working knowledge of UK payroll legislation and statutory requirements. This includes PAYE, National Insurance, Statutory Sick Pay, Statutory Maternity Pay and workplace pensions. Experience completing payroll reconciliations, checks and variance analysis is important, as is the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies with care.
Strong Excel skills are required, ideally including PivotTables, XLOOKUP or VLOOKUP, and SUMIFS. You should have excellent attention to detail, a high level of accuracy and the confidence to work independently while collaborating effectively with HR, Finance and external providers. Spanish payroll or wider international payroll experience would be advantageous, as would a CIPP qualification or current CIPP studies.
Responsibilities
In this role, you will support the monthly UK payroll for approximately 700 employees and assist with a smaller Spanish payroll. You will apply your understanding of UK payroll legislation and statutory requirements, helping ensure employee pay is processed accurately and on time.
Your responsibilities will include completing payroll reconciliations, validation checks and variance analysis; reviewing payroll data and investigating discrepancies; and taking ownership of issues through to resolution. You will work with outsourced payroll providers and internal HR and Finance colleagues, communicate relevant information clearly, and maintain effective payroll controls. You will also use Excel to analyse payroll data and support wider payroll activities as the organisation’s international operations develop.
Benefits
The salary is £35,000–£40,000 per annum, depending on experience. The position is offered on a 9–12 month fixed-term contract and provides hybrid working in Portsmouth, alongside a 37.5-hour working week. You will join a supportive and collaborative team and have the opportunity to gain or broaden international payroll experience. Further benefits include potential support towards CIPP study and the chance to become involved in additional international payroll activity as the business grows.
Equal Opportunity
CMA Recruitment Group complies with relevant UK legislation and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics. CMA Recruitment Group is acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy. By completing the application process, you agree to the terms in CMA’s Privacy Notice and acknowledge that CMA may contact you about your application and work-finding services. The Privacy Notice is available under the privacy tab on the CMA website. CMA is currently receiving a high volume of applications. While every application will be considered, it may not be possible to respond individually to all applicants.

Skills
Payroll

Work arrangement
Yes