Interim Payroll Analyst in Leeds - Sharp Consultancy

Sharp Consultancy are looking for a detail oriented Payroll Analyst to support the accuracy, compliance and continuous improvement of our client’s payroll operations.

This role does not involve processing payroll. Instead, you’ll focus on data quality, auditing, analytics, reporting and system support—ensuring that payroll runs smoothly by providing insight, control and governance.

If you enjoy problem solving, working with data and improving processes, this role is perfect for you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct regular audits of payroll data to ensure accuracy, compliance and completeness.
• Maintain and validate employee payroll information and organisational data.
• Produce payroll reports, dashboards and insights for HR, Finance and leadership.
• Support compliance activities including statutory reporting and internal/external audits.
• Analyse trends and anomalies in payroll data to identify risks or improvement opportunities.
• Work with HR, Finance and IT to enhance payroll systems, processes and data flows.
• Support system testing, upgrades and configuration changes.
• Respond to payroll queries by investigating data, reporting and system issues (but not processing adjustments).
• Maintain strong controls and documentation for payroll governance.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Experience in payroll analysis, HR analytics, finance analysis or a similar data-focused role.
• Understanding of payroll principles and statutory requirements (even without processing duties).
• Excellent Excel skills (lookups, pivot tables, data validation, modelling).
• A high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to translate data into clear insights.
• Ability to work with confidential information professionally.
• What’s on offer.
• 3 month contract – will possible extension to 6 months.
• Immediate start.
• Hybrid working and free on-site car parking.

Sharp Consultancy is a finance and accountancy recruitment specialist assisting accounting and finance divisions of businesses in the Yorkshire and Derbyshire area. With over 30 years' experience we pride ourselves on sourcing excellent finance professionals across all divisions of an accounts function.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK full time without restriction. To apply please send your CV to the e-mail address stated, quoting our reference and specifying which website you saw this position advertised on. Due to the high volume of applications, we receive it is not always possible to respond to unsuccessful applicants. Therefore, if we have not responded to your application within seven days, please note that on this occasion your application has not been successful.