Finance and Payroll Assistant

Temporary Payroll and Finance Coordinator - Reading (Office-Based) - £15 - £17 per hour About the Client Our client is a respected organisation within the Education sector, supporting around pupils across a broad age range. They are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, where every background and perspective enriches their collective success. With a strong emphasis on wellbeing, personal development and community engagement, they offer a supportive environment where employees can thrive. About the Job This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional with payroll expertise to join a busy finance team. The role combines responsibility for the monthly payroll cycle with sales ledger administration, financial reporting and wider finance support, ensuring the smooth operation of key accounting processes across the organisation. Duties will include: • Managing the end-to-end monthly payroll process, including data input, employee payments and reporting. • Administering workplace pension schemes and associated records. • Maintaining the sales ledger, ensuring accounts remain accurate and up to date. • Handling invoice enquiries and supporting debt collection activities. • Preparing and issuing termly invoices. • Updating cashbooks and posting transactions to finance systems. • Completing regular bank reconciliations. • Assisting with month-end procedures and ledger close activities. • Supporting annual audit requirements and providing finance documentation. • Assisting with ad hoc finance projects and reporting requests. • Providing cover for other finance team members when required. About the Successful Applicant The successful candidate will hold AAT Level 4 or an equivalent qualification and possess previous payroll experience. You will have strong bookkeeping knowledge, advanced Excel skills and excellent communication abilities. Experience within a school or a complex payroll environment with varying contracts and working patterns would be advantageous. You will be highly organised, detail-focused and capable of managing competing priorities effectively. Top of Form Bottom of Form