Payroll Specialist - London

Payroll SpecialistLocation: London, United Kingdom Reports to: Head of HR, GlobalWorks closely with: Finance Team, People Team & external payroll providersAbout Us Sokin is a next-generation B2B financial services provider, enabling businesses to make and receive global payments with greater speed, lower cost, and total transparency. Our mission is simple: we’re unifying the best of business banking.  We deliver services across: Global payments and receivables Foreign Exchange (FX) Treasury management Finance reconciliations We are rapidly expanding, with established presence in EMEA, APAC, and North America.  Backed by a strong global infrastructure and industry-leading partners, we are redefining how businesses move money worldwide. Our clients span industries from sports and entertainment to logistics and travel, and our community is growing rapidly. As we continue to expand, we’re building a team of exceptional people who share our ambition to transform the future of global payments. The RoleWe’re looking for a Payroll Specialist to make sure everyone is paid accurately, on time, and in compliance, every time. You’ll run payroll across our operating locations, work with external providers and local advisers, and act as the trusted point of contact for employees on pay queries. You’ll work closely with Finance and the Compensation & Benefits Manager so that payroll data, costs, and reporting are accurate and reconciled.Key ResponsibilitiesPayroll ProcessingRun end-to-end monthly (and any other cycle) payroll for all operating locations, from data collection to payment and payslip distributionProcess starters, leavers, promotions, pay changes, overtime, allowances, bonuses, commissions, and equity-related paymentsManage statutory deductions and payments, including income tax, social contributions, pensions/retirement, and loan or garnishment deductionsRun pre- and post-payroll checks and variance analysis to catch errors before they reach employeesHandle off-cycle payments, corrections, and expense reimbursementsMulti-Country and Provider ManagementManage relationships with external payroll providers, bureaus, and local accountants in each countryReview and challenge payroll providers’ output, checking it against source data before it is submitted or paidCoordinate local statutory filings, year-end returns, and tax authority submissionsKeep up to date with changes to payroll legislation, tax rates, and thresholds in each jurisdictionSupport the set-up of payroll in new countries as we expandFinance PartnershipProvide payroll journals, accruals, and reconciliations to Finance each month and support month-end and year-end closeWork with the Head of FP&A to provide accurate actuals for people-cost reporting and forecastingPartner with the Compensation & Benefits Manager on salary review, bonus, benefits, and pension implementationSupport audits and respond to queries from auditors and tax authoritiesData, Systems and ComplianceMaintain the accuracy of payroll data in the HRIS and payroll systems, and own the integration between themMaintain payroll policies, procedures, and documented controls, ensuring segregation of duties and data confidentialityEnsure compliance with GDPR and local data protection requirements for employee dataIdentify opportunities to automate and improve payroll processesEmployee SupportBe the first point of contact for payroll, tax code, pension, and payslip queriesExplain pay calculations clearly and sensitivelySupport managers and People Partners on the payroll implications of changes to employmentRequirementsEssential4-6 years of experience in payroll, ideally running full-cycle payroll in a growing businessStrong working knowledge of payroll legislation, tax, and statutory deductions in relevant jurisdictionsAdvanced Excel/Google Sheets skills, with the ability to reconcile and analyse large data setsExperience working with HRIS and payroll systems (e.g. ADP, Papaya Global, Deel, Xero, Sage, BambooHR)Exceptional attention to detail, with a record of accuracy under tight deadlinesStrong judgment and discretion when handling confidential dataClear communication skills, with the ability to explain pay topics simplyDesirableExperience managing multi-country payroll through external providersExperience in fintech, technology, or a high-growth environmentExperience with equity, share option, and bonus payroll processingUnderstanding of payroll accounting and journalsProfessional qualification such as CIPP, CIPD, or equivalent payroll qualificationExperience with payroll audits and internal controlsKey CompetenciesAccurate, methodical, and reliableStrong ownership and accountabilityDiscreet and ethicalCollaborative with Finance, People, and external partnersComfortable working to fixed deadlinesContinuous improvement mindsetPlease note, candidates will need to have the right to work in the jurisdiction that they are looking to work in.Sokin is an equal opportunities employer and committed to maintaining an inclusive work environment. As a growing global startup with bases across multiple countries, we were established on and continue to promote an agile, flexible working culture. Please reach out to discuss any accommodations you may require during the recruitment process.