Payroll / Finance Apprentice

SYNERGY HEALTH MANAGED SERVICES LIMITED

Derby (DE24 8HE)

Closes in 17 days (Friday 30 January 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 13 January 2026

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Summary

Supporting the Payroll Manager in delivering accurate and timely payroll services while gaining practical, hands-on experience of payroll administration, payroll systems, employee payments and HMRC compliance. The role will also include exposure to tasks within the Finance department and performing work to support the whole Finance team.

Wage

£15,704 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Payroll administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm, with 30 min unpaid break.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 9 February 2026

Duration

1 year

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

Payroll Processing

  • Assist with the preparation and processing of weekly and monthly payrolls.
  • Enter, update, and maintain payroll data including new starters, leavers, and changes to employee details.
  • Support calculation of statutory payments (SSP, SMP, SPP, SHPP).
  • Help with processing overtime, bonuses, deductions, and adjustments.

 

Compliance & Record Keeping

  • Ensure payroll documentation is accurate, complete, and securely stored.
  • Learn and apply legislation related to PAYE, National Insurance, pensions auto-enrolment, and holiday pay.

 

Employee Support

  • Respond to employee payroll queries professionally and efficiently.
  • Assist with issuing payslips, P45s, and P60s.
  • Support communication with internal departments (HR, Finance & Operations) to resolve discrepancies.

 

Systems & Reporting

  • Use payroll software systems used by the organisation.
  • Help run payroll reports, reconcile payroll totals, and highlight any anomalies.
  • Maintain accurate digital records in line with company policies.

 

Finance Support

  • Support the Finance team with tasks such as purchase ledger & sales ledger, as required.
  • Learn how the payroll function supports and assists the wider Finance function including supporting with any information requests from Finance to ensure month end analysis is thorough.

 

Learning & Development

  • Complete all apprenticeship programme requirements and training sessions.
  • Attend workshops, courses, and reviews as part of the qualification.
  • Develop understanding of payroll legislation, calculations, and best practice.

 

General

  • Undertake any reasonable requests from your manager.
  • Provide any information that is requested from Finance and Operational Management.
  • Maintain close working relations within the Finance and HR teams as well as departments across the business such as production
  • Maintain confidentiality of information at all times.
  • Be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) to ensure that the agreed health and safety training shall be mandatory for all members of staff.
  • Be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Data Protection Act (1998) to ensure that sensitive personal data is used in accordance with the legislation

Where you'll work

Synergylms
Ascot Drive
Derby
DE24 8HE

Training

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

Training provider

EMA TRAINING LIMITED

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

The Payroll Administrator standard is delivered in two elements; the CIPP (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals) knowledge units and work based projects designed by the provider, to meet employer needs.

The knowledge units provided will cover topics such as:

  • National Insurance
  • PAYE
  • Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
  • Statutory Parental Leave
  • Statutory Deductions
     

The last three months of the qualification will entail completing the following as part of the End Point Assessment:

  • Multiple-Choice
  • Written Report
  • Professional Discussion

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

GCSEs including Maths and English (grade 4/C 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
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Willingness To Learn
  • High level of Confidentiality
  • High level Professionalism

About this employer

Synergy LMS was created in 1996 and provides a range of sterile linen and laundry management services to hospitals and other healthcare providers throughout the UK including NHS Acute Trusts, private hospitals, Ambulance Trusts and Healthcare and Community Trusts. Synergy LMS owns three specialised facilities in Derby, Sheffield and Dunstable.

After this apprenticeship

Opportunity for a full-time position within the team upon completion of the apprenticeship programme. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

EMA TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000007724.

Apply now

Closes in 17 days (Friday 30 January 2026 at 11:59pm)