Payroll Officer

Role overview

Hall & Wilcox is hiring an experienced Payroll Officer for a 12-month fixed-term full-time position within its national Finance function. The role supports the Payroll Manager in running an accurate, timely and compliant payroll operation for employees and partners.

This is a national position and can be based from any of the firm’s Australian offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Newcastle, Canberra, Adelaide or Darwin. The firm also offers hybrid and flexible working through its HW Evolve model, including work from home and access to modern open-plan offices.

What the role involves

• Running the end-to-end fortnightly payroll for around 1,100 employees, with a strong focus on accuracy, deadlines and legal compliance.
• Handling payroll inputs such as new starters, pay adjustments, casual hours, overtime, back pay, deductions, bonuses and final payments.
• Managing employee leave entitlements, including annual leave, sick leave, long service leave and other leave categories.
• Administering employer-funded parental leave payments and maintaining government parental leave payments.
• Overseeing leave entries processed through ESS (Employee Services Service).
• Processing superannuation each fortnight in line with Payday Super legislation.
• Supporting monthly reconciliation and reporting tasks.
• Assisting with monthly and quarterly partner profit share distributions.
• Coordinating myki commuter club orders, related payroll deductions and supporting paperwork.
• Completing year-end payroll activities, including firm-wide remuneration review changes and STP final reconciliation.
• Providing payroll support to other teams and resolving payroll queries.
• Preparing ad hoc reports and taking on other duties as required by the Payroll Manager.

What we are looking for

The ideal candidate will bring strong payroll experience, particularly in high-volume environments, along with solid working knowledge of payroll legislation and excellent attention to detail. You should be comfortable working independently as well as collaboratively, and able to build effective relationships across the business.

Experience and skills

• At least 3–5 years of experience working as a Payroll Officer.
• Experience processing payroll for a similar-sized workforce, preferably more than 800 employees.
• Hands-on end-to-end payroll processing experience.
• Experience with MicrOpay or Definitiv payroll software is preferred, though not mandatory.
• Good understanding of statutory tax, superannuation, Legal Services Award requirements and Single Touch Payroll.
• Strong Excel capability.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Clear communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Self-sufficiency combined with teamwork.
• Confidence in working with stakeholders at different levels of the organisation.

About the employer

Hall & Wilcox is an Australian law firm providing legal services to corporate, public sector and private clients in Australia and overseas. The organisation aims to help its clients, people and communities thrive, and describes its working culture as people-focused, inclusive and diverse.

The firm emphasises smarter ways of working, collaboration and long-term value creation through its “Smarter Law” approach. It welcomes applicants from all cultural backgrounds, including First Nations candidates, as well as people of all abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities.

Benefits and workplace culture

• 12-month fixed-term full-time engagement.
• Hybrid and flexible working through the HW Evolve model.
• Work-from-home options plus modern, open-plan offices.
• Learning and career development programmes for employees at all levels.
• Free daily breakfast.
• Office social events.
• Strong focus on diversity, inclusion and wellbeing.
• Support for pro bono and community involvement.

Additional information

Applications from candidates requiring disability-related adjustments are supported to ensure a fair and accessible recruitment process. For confidential assistance or to request support with an application, candidates may contact the Talent Acquisition Advisor named in the source listing.

The vacancy is managed directly by the employer’s Talent Acquisition team.

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