Payroll Apprentice

PM M LTD

BLACKBURN (BB1 5QB)

Closes on Thursday 8 January 2026

Posted on 23 October 2025

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Contents

Summary

Voted in the UK Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers Rankings, you will be joining our apprenticeship programme, which will give you the skills and support you need to unlock a future full of new opportunities and experiences within the world of Payroll Bureau. You will enjoy a combination of on-the-job learning and structured training.

Wage

£14,231.75 to £23,015.85, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Apprentice's salaries and promotions are typically are reviewed after the first 12 months, as well as regularly reviewed thereafter following performance and exam success.

Training course
Payroll administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, times to be confirmed.

36 hours 15 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

3 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Our Payroll apprenticeship programme is an ideal opportunity for enthusiastic individuals, educated to at least GCSE or A Level, who want to gain a professional qualification within the Payroll profession and progress their career within an apprenticeship framework.

  • To assist the payroll team to deliver the firm's payroll services to clients.
  • To ensure all security and confidentiality procedures are adhered to.
  • With guidance, working towards a high standard of processing whilst working efficiently to deadlines.
  • To collect and enter payroll data, supplied by clients, into PM+M’s software so as to meet deadlines and ensure accurate and complete payroll information.
  • To assist in the processing and calculation of net pay, for each employee on a client's payroll, using either computer software or manually applying the rules and tables supplied by HMRC.
  • To assist with client queries and queries from other teams within PM+M.
  • This role will be based in Blackburn.

Where you'll work

GREENBANK TECHNOLOGY PARK
CHALLENGE WAY
BLACKBURN
BB1 5QB

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Training course

Payroll administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • gather, analyse and process payroll data and information
  • resolve different types of queries that may be presented from payroll customers such as employees, clients, management, explaining and documenting responses
  • deal with complaints, following processes and escalating complex situations
  • meet client or customer needs in line with service level agreements
  • provide customer service using agreed systems and processes, taking ownership for work applying agreed processes for checking
  • adhere to deadlines and process schedules both internal and statutory, mitigating the impact on the business, employees and clients of deadlines not being met by reprioritising tasks when dealing with conflicting or changing demands
  • select appropriate media for communication etc recognising the advantages and risks related to each method
  • escalate concerns relating to deadlines in a timely manner, suggesting solutions
  • use the appropriate communication media for each stakeholder for each situation. Examples may include ‘phone, face-to-face, email and letters, communicating and engaging professionally, accurately and appropriately, respecting the principles of data protection and confidentiality
  • Build and maintain trust and sound relationships with stakeholders to deliver quality payroll services
  • develop and maintain strong working relationships with team colleagues, supporting and collaborating to achieve results, seeking advice when appropriate within parameters of the role
  • use computerised payroll software and spreadsheet packages such as MS Excel
  • use systems and processes to support the payroll function. Examples may include the provision of accounting information and the Real Time Information submissions to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
  • gather, analyse and process payroll data and information
  • resolve different types of queries that may be presented from payroll customers such as employees, clients, management, explaining and documenting responses
  • deal with complaints, following processes and escalating complex situations
  • meet client or customer needs in line with service level agreements
  • provide customer service using agreed systems and processes, taking ownership for work applying agreed processes for checking
  • adhere to deadlines and process schedules both internal and statutory, mitigating the impact on the business, employees and clients of deadlines not being met by reprioritising tasks when dealing with conflicting or changing demands
  • select appropriate media for communication etc recognising the advantages and risks related to each method
  • escalate concerns relating to deadlines in a timely manner, suggesting solutions
  • use the appropriate communication media for each stakeholder for each situation. Examples may include ‘phone, face-to-face, email and letters, communicating and engaging professionally, accurately and appropriately, respecting the principles of data protection and confidentiality
  • Build and maintain trust and sound relationships with stakeholders to deliver quality payroll services
  • develop and maintain strong working relationships with team colleagues, supporting and collaborating to achieve results, seeking advice when appropriate within parameters of the role
  • use computerised payroll software and spreadsheet packages such as MS Excel
  • use systems and processes to support the payroll function. Examples may include the provision of accounting information and the Real Time Information submissions to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

Training schedule

You'll be working towards a Level 3 Payroll apprenticeship standard. The role is on site at our Blackburn office, the study element is remote distance learning.

PM+M believes that its most valuable resource is its team members. The continued success of the organisation depends upon having highly motivated people with proper skills in the right job at the right time. We recognise the need to offer all team members a clear path of progression within the business.

Therefore, as part of this programme, we will provide a study package towards Payroll Admin Level 3. Initially, this will be the Level 3 NVQ; you will then go onto completing Level 5 thereafter. We will include the relevant study leave as part of this, and will mentor you through your qualification journey. Once the qualification has been achieved, we would look at further training opportunities to help develop your career, such as the CIPP.

We also provide a complementary range of internal training opportunities to ensure that you maximise your potential in areas such as becoming a trusted adviser, how to network, presentation skills etc, with opportunities for progression around the firm.

We have 6 monthly reflect and act conversations to ensure your development is on track, with optional monthly 1-2-1s. You will also have a buddy and an opportunity for a mentor.

We also encourage you to get involved in wider firm initiatives and have your say on how we can progress on our journey towards being the best North West firm of finance professionals.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 5 or above)
  • Maths (grade 5 or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

About this employer

We are a vibrant, dynamic and award-winning firm of Chartered Accountants and business advisers, with offices in Blackburn and Bury, covering East Lancashire, Greater Manchester and beyond. Our vision is to be the best North West firm of finance professionals and we want great people to join our team and help us do that. We are proud of our inclusivity and diversity, encouraging people to be the best they can be and to be involved, no matter their level of experience or role.

https://www.pmm.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

25 days’ holiday per annum + bank holidays. On-site free parking. Employer pension contribution of 8%. Weekly flexi-time. Overtime. Hybrid working. Dress for your day policy and dress down Fridays. Paid sick leave. Plus more.

After this apprenticeship

Once the Level 3 qualification has been achieved, we would look at further training opportunities to help develop your Payroll career, such as the CIPP.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

recruitment@pmm.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000347952.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 8 January 2026

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