Apprentice Payroll Administrator

Halton Borough Council

Widnes (WA8 7DZ)

Closes in 18 days (Sunday 5 July 2026)

Posted on 17 June 2026

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Summary

The pay and pensions team at Halton Borough Council delivers 11 monthly payrolls to both internal and external payees, paying around 8,000 people each month. We are now looking to employ an apprentice on the team, and this opportunity will be a chance for the apprentice to learn all there is to know about a career in Payroll. 

• Wage:

  £19,461 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Payroll administrator (level 3)
• Hours: Monday - Friday, typical office hours i.e. 9.00am - 5.00pm.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 10 August 2026

• Duration:

  2 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

You’ll be involved in all manner of payroll activities, with support and encouragement from our experienced team.

More specific responsibilities include:

• Data entry into service specific IT systems to ensure that employee pay is calculated and paid correctly, within prescribed policy and procedure, meeting legislative requirements and all statutory regulations
• Administrative Support to process contractual documentation for amendments and changes to existing posts (leavers and variations), within the scope of legislation, HMRC guidance, pension regulations, and Council policy
• Assistance in the preparation, calculation  and maintenance of pay and allowances for all external payees, including variations to pay, deductions and recoveries, cheque preparation, distribution of payslips and P45s, in line with Service Level Agreements (SLA) and working  to multiple deadlines, in order for payees to receive monthly salaries
• Support with the production of payroll reports for all payrolls following the gross to net calculation, acting upon and reconciling any discrepancies prior to final calculation
• Support with the preparation of  costing and cheque reconciliation reports to record payment of monies collected from employees to statutory agencies, pension providers, etc., completing all tasks associated to each payment so that employees’ records are accurate and any financial liability on the Council is minimised
• Support with the production of monthly payroll reconciliation reports, investigating and correcting any anomalies to enable accurate completion of statutory and other returns
• Assisting with the administration of financial transactions, including placing orders, good receipting and dealing with enquiries
• Support with the completion of all statutory returns using various statistical reporting / analysis tools (annual and monthly) ensuring the Council meets all of its obligations in relation to legislative, statutory and pension scheme regulations
• Support with the reconciliation of pension information for schools that use external HR / pay providers, following up anomalies and taking corrective action to facilitate accurate reporting and returns
• Respond to service specific enquiries, assess the urgency of enquiries, and handle appropriately
• Carry out system testing of new enhancements of the computerised HR / Pay system and produce appropriate guidance to both internal and external users
• Provision of general administrative support as and when required including filing and photocopying
• Undertake any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time, which are commensurate with the grade of the job

Where you'll work

DCBL Stadium
Lower House Lane
Widnes
WA8 7DZ

Training

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

Training provider

MBKB LTD

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

Training will take place online via 1:1 tuition and group sessions with MBKB Group. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English Language (grade 4/C)
• Mathematics (grade 4/C)

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
• Team working
• Time management

About this employer

Halton Borough Council is the local authority responsible for the borough of Halton, a unitary authority in Cheshire, England. All our colleagues at Halton have made a positive commitment to delivering great outcomes for our communities. Whoever joins us will share that passion for outstanding service, and strongly align with the values which define our workplace culture; Working Together – building fantastic relationships with colleagues and customers. Continuous Improvement – Keeping great service delivery at the heart of everything we do. Personal Growth – Learning, growing and developing ourselves. Accountability – doing what we say we are going to do. Inspiring Leadership – positive roles models and leading by example.

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

Company benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement, starting at 34 days per year (inc. bank holidays), flexible / hybrid working arrangements, discounted shopping, gym membership, wellbeing hub, etc, as well as membership to salary-linked pension scheme.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

As you approach the end of your apprenticeship, you will receive guidance and support from our dedicated Apprenticeship Officer in applying for opportunities within Halton Borough Council. We are eager to ensure that anyone that joins us as an apprentice, is given every chance to secure permanent, long-term employment with us.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Halton Borough Council

Andrea Dolan

Andrea.dolan@halton.gov.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000037474.

Apply now

Closes in 18 days (Sunday 5 July 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.