Payroll & Head Office Accountant

Hanson Wade is a rapidly growing, private equity-backed business intelligence firm. Our Finance team is looking for a Compensation and Head Office Accountant to join our expanding finance team and to take ownership of payroll, compensation plans, and head office accounting. This is a fantastic opportunity for a finance professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is eager to develop their expertise in payroll, financial control, and system implementation.

The role:

You'll be instrumental in managing all payroll activities for our approximately 500 employees, ensuring accurate and timely payments. You'll also take ownership of our commission and profit share plans, including their calculation, accrual, and payment. Additionally, you'll oversee head office cost accounting. You'll report to the Group Financial Controller and work closely with the Finance Manager.

• Compensation & Benefits: Manage bonus, profit share, and commission models; automate processes for efficiency and accuracy; ensure compliance with UK employment laws and tax regulations; and handle bonus calculations.
• Head Office Accounting: Oversee central function costs, lead employee cost budgeting, and support month-end/year-end closing activities.
• Payroll: Administer monthly payroll and pension; collaborate with HR; manage reporting and compliance; and handle employee queries.
• Process Improvement & Systems: Optimize payroll and compensation systems and potentially lead new software implementations.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting: Provide key insights to senior leadership and support audits.

Key responsibilities:

We're looking for someone who has at least 3 years of experience in managing complex payrolls. You should have:

• Experience with automated commission software (Vulki preferred)
• Advanced Excel skills
• A strong understanding of UK payroll and tax rules
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, and problem-solving abilities
• A mindset for process improvement and system implementation is highly valued.

Why choose us?

• Competitive salary + Bonus
• Private health and life insurance
• Competitive pension
• Hybrid working arrangement
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 extra day per year, up to 30 days
• 1 x charity day per year
• Access to our Wader Hub benefits platform (retail, gym, hospitality, and wellness discounts)
• Sabbatical options after 2 and 5 years
• Quarterly development conversations

If you're a finance professional ready for a dynamic role with significant growth opportunities, we encourage you to apply!