AAT Level 2 Payroll & Compliance Apprentice

We seek an enthusiastic, detail-oriented Payroll & Compliance Apprentice to join our fast-paced operations team. In a recruitment agency, payroll is the core engine of our business, ensuring hundreds of temporary contractors, freelancers, and internal staff are paid accurately and on time every week.

This role provides a structured pathway to study towards your AAT Level 2 Qualification while gaining hands-on experience in high-volume payroll processing, UK employment legislation, Right to Work (RTW) regulations, and contractor compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Processing & Administration

1. Assist with end-to-end processing for weekly contractor timesheets and monthly internal staff payroll.
2. Input candidate timesheets, pay rates, charge rates, and expense claims into the recruitment CRM and payroll software.
3. Perform payroll calculations including Pay As You Earn (PAYE), National Insurance (NI), Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), and auto-enrolment pension contributions.
4. Process starter and leaver administration, including P45, P60, and Starter Declarations.
5. Reconcile payroll reports and investigate pay discrepancies or missing timesheets promptly.
6. Handle pay queries from agency workers and internal consultants with professionalism and accuracy.
7. Support HMRC reporting requirements, including Real Time Information (RTI), Full Payment Submission (FPS), and Employer Payment Summary (EPS).

Recruitment Compliance & Vetting

1. Conduct Right to Work (RTW) checks for newly placed temporary workers in accordance with Home Office legislation.
2. Verify worker documentation, including passports, visas, share codes, proof of bank details, and proof of address.
3. Assist with contractor umbrella company compliance and IR35 status documentation.
4. Monitor candidate compliance expiry dates (e.g., visa renewals, DBS checks, and professional certifications) and issue renewal notifications.
5. Maintain clean, audit-ready candidate compliance files within the CRM system.
6. Ensure full adherence to UK GDPR and data protection regulations regarding sensitive financial and personal data.

Skills & Requirements

1. Educational Background: Minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above (including English and Mathematics) or equivalent qualification.
2. Accounting & Payroll Study: Strong desire to undertake and complete the AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting / Payroll qualification.
3. Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook) and a strong foundation in Microsoft Excel (e.g., basic formulas, spreadsheets, and data manipulation).
4. Attention to Detail: High precision when entering numerical data and auditing legal compliance documentation.
5. Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to liaise effectively with contractors, internal recruiters, and external compliance partners.
6. Time Management: Strong organizational ability to prioritize tasks and meet strict, recurring weekly payroll deadlines.

Key Personal Attributes

1. Integrity & Discretion: Direct, reliable, and trustworthy when handling confidential financial and payroll data.
2. Proactive Learner: Eager to learn and dedicated to progressing through structured apprenticeship coursework.
3. Problem Solver: Positive, solution-focused attitude within a fast-moving office environment.