Payroll Officer

Part-time, ongoing position available - approx. 26 hours p/w
- Located in the beautiful Bayside area
- Rare opportunity at a highly regarded independent School

Firbank is seeking a highly competent and approachable Payroll Officer to manage staff payroll and provide administrative assistance to the Finance and People and Culture departments, as well as the CCO.

**Base salary**: $85 - 95k p.a (full time equivalent) dependent on experience.

**Key Responsibilities**:
Payroll:

- Prepare and process accurate, timely payroll in line with EBAs, awards, contracts, superannuation, and taxation requirements.
- Maintain leave records and salary packaging, including fringe benefits.
- Ensure correct general ledger coding, payslip descriptions, and adherence to school procedures and deadlines.
- Process terminations in line with ATO and ETP rules.
- Maintain confidentiality and regularly review employee files and entitlements.
- Generate salary review files and manage excessive leave balances proactively.
- Support accurate reporting of payroll statistics and sick leave data.
- Proactively assist with optimising the current Payroll System (Synergetic).

Budget:

- Assist with annual payroll budgeting and evaluation.
- Prepare FTE and salary files; identify and correct budget discrepancies.
- Contribute insights to improve payroll processes.

Preparation of Monthly/Annual Returns:

- Complete PAYG returns and statutory reporting (ABS, ASBA, AHISA, DEEWR, WorkCover).
- Ensure all returns are accurate, timely, and compliant with legislative requirements.

Preparation of Financial Returns (End of Year):

- Prepare end-of-year leave schedules, salary accruals, and annual leave loading.
- Deliver accurate reports with no audit adjustments.

People and Culture Department Support:

- Confirm pay rates for contracts and respond to staff payroll and leave queries.
- Maintain payroll records in Synergetic in partnership with People & Culture.
- Support onboarding and present at staff inductions.
- Provide admin support during peak periods and staff absences.

**Key attributes**:

- Efficient planning and organisation and time management skills, ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
- A strong bias towards achievement and customer service with a focus on outcomes.
- Display self-confidence with a sense of initiative and flexibility.
- Ability to keep certain matters confidential.

**Qualifications and experience**:

- Hands-on payroll experience essential. Experience using Synergetic will be highly regarded.
- Ability to handle autonomously all aspects of the School payroll.
- Thorough understanding of the School’s accounting and budgets.
- Ability to prioritise.
- Current Working With Children Check (employee)(or willingness to obtain).
- Current First Aid certificate (or willingness to obtain).
- _____________________
**About Firbank Grammar School**
For more than 115 years Firbank Grammar has been at the forefront of teaching and learning, providing exceptional education and outstanding opportunities to its students. We offer world-class learning programs, activities and facilities to give our students the very best launchpad into the future.
As a leading independent school in Melbourne, our students consistently achieve academically and in their co-curricular pursuits and are a part of a vibrant community that supports excellence.
Firbank Grammar School is committed to ensure all relevant Child Protection and Safety laws, Ministerial Orders, regulations and standards in Victoria are upheld.

**Why join Firbank?**
- Inclusive and supportive culture.
- Opportunity to work in a highly regarded independent school in Brighton.
- Access to professional development opportunities.
- Onsite cafe with barista-quality coffee and delicious meals and snacks.
- Use of swimming pool facilities.
- Close proximity to public transport.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to you and your immediate family.
- Staff social groups and events.
- Staff discounts for local gym and incredible School productions.