Payroll Specialist

About Us

We are a growing modern tax consultancy and accounting firm in the south of Cologne (Kölner Süden) managing integrated advisory and payroll services for 6070 SME clients. We combine a family-like collegial atmosphere with a stable growth plan and fully modern digital processes. Built on client focus reliability and genuine employee appreciation we offer a strong benefits package and clear career development within our expanding payroll team.

We are currently looking for a motivated Payroll Specialist (m/f/d) to join our team on a permanent full-time basis (3035 hours part-time can also be negotiated for the right candidate).

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Payroll: Run independent monthly payroll for assigned client mandates using DATEV.
• Data Management: Maintain and update employee master data and all payroll variables (bonuses allowances fringe benefits and statutory deductions).
• Client Advisory: Act as the primary point of contact for external clients regarding payroll wage tax and social security queries.
• Compliance: Liaise confidently and on time with social insurance agencies tax authorities and other official bodies; support payroll tax and social security audits.
• Process Optimization: Contribute actively to our ongoing payroll digitalization and workflow optimization initiatives.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Must-Haves:

• Experience: 13 years of professional experience in German payroll processing (preferably multi-client/agency experience).
• Legal Knowledge: Solid understanding of German wage tax and social security law (Lohnsteuer- und Sozialversicherungsrecht).
• Systems: Hands-on expertise with DATEV (LODAS or comparable payroll software).
• Languages: Professional confident communication skills with authorities and clients in German (C1 level minimum).

Nice-to-Haves:

• Background working within a tax consultancy or a dedicated payroll service bureau.
• Experience with payroll digitalization and workflow optimization projects.

What We Offer (Perks & Benefits)

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible hours (Gleitzeit) up to 2 work-from-home (WFH) days per week after your initial onboarding and a Workation option.
• Compensation: A competitive base salary (depending on experience) plus a performance-based bonus of 015%.
• Time Off: Generous allocation of approximately 30 vacation days per year.
• Health & Mobility: Urban Sports Club membership (or tax-free Sachbezug vouchers) and company bike leasing (JobRad).
• Team Culture: A warm family-like environment with regular team events (e.g. fortnightly BBQs summer parties).
• Office Comforts: Free drinks fresh fruit muesli and refreshing ice treats during the summer.
• Future & Growth: Company pension scheme (Direktversicherung) and excellent clear paths for professional training and career growth in a digital environment.

Location & Working Model

• Primary Location: Cologne office (onsite during the initial ramp-up/onboarding phase hybrid afterward).
• Travel Requirements: None.

Ready to take the next step in your career We look forward to hearing from you! Apply directly here on LinkedIn with your CV or reach out to us for an initial informal conversation.