All answers / S07-A-gemini-r2

S07-A | Gemini | Observation 2

Saved-text evidence export. Original answer recorded 2026-10-21T12:14:25.891Z. This is a faithful export of the saved wording, not a product screenshot or native product export.

Collection: UK | Access: signed_in_free | Mode: Free; native Temporary chat; Gemini Auto | Visible model: Gemini Auto

Exact question

Our Payroll Manager has resigned. We are a medium-sized UK employer and need a permanent replacement to run our UK payroll. Which recruitment agencies should we speak to?

Complete saved answer

To replace your Payroll Manager, you have two strong routes in the UK:  pure specialist payroll recruitment agencies  (who live and breathe payroll) and  major finance/HR agencies  with dedicated payroll divisions.

Here is a breakdown of the best agencies to contact, categorized by their focus area and strengths.

1. Specialist Payroll Recruitment Agencies

These agencies specialize exclusively in payroll, HR, and reward. They hold deep candidate networks and understand specific UK payroll competencies (e.g., CIPP qualification requirements, RTI, auto-enrolment, software platforms like ADP, MHR, or BrightPay).

Portfolio Payroll (The Portfolio Group)

Best For: Scale, speed, and industry reputation. [Source G01]

Overview: Portfolio Payroll is widely recognized as the market leader for specialist payroll recruitment across the UK. Because they focus heavily on payroll, they maintain an active bench of candidates at senior and managerial levels. [Source G02]

JGA Recruitment

Best For:  Executive payroll search and CIPP-aligned roles.

Overview: JGA specializes in Payroll & HR recruitment across the UK. They are deeply embedded in the payroll community (host of  The Payroll Podcast ) and offer tailored executive search for managerial roles. [Source G03]

2. Finance & HR Specialist Agencies

Large recruitment consultancies with dedicated finance and accountancy desks often have extensive reach in regional markets and mid-market employers.

Hays Specialist Recruitment (Finance & Payroll Division)

Best For:  Regional reach and coverage across all UK locations.

Overview:  Hays has localized teams across the UK with dedicated finance and payroll consultants. Good for tapping into local candidate pools quickly.

Robert Half

Best For:  Mid-to-senior finance and operational payroll appointments.

Overview:  Strong presence in UK SME and mid-sized markets, particularly when looking for candidates with combined finance/payroll skill sets.

Reed (Accountancy & HR)

Best For:  Cost-effective permanent hiring and broad candidate exposure.

Overview:  Extensive database across mid-level finance, HR, and payroll management positions.

Strategic Advice for Your Hiring Process

When reaching out to these agencies, keep the following key factors in mind:

1. Cover the Transition Period (Interim/Temp)

A full recruitment cycle for a Payroll Manager typically takes  6–10 weeks  (accounting for interview rounds, offer stage, and 1–3 month candidate notice periods).

Recommendation:  Ask agencies (like Portfolio Payroll or Hays) for an immediate  Interim/Contract Payroll Manager  or temp cover to ensure month-end payroll runs smoothly while you recruit the permanent replacement.

2. Specify Your Software Stack Early

Payroll managers rely heavily on experience with specific software. Clearly state your system in your brief (e.g.,  iTrent, Moorepay, ADP, Sage 50/200, Workday, IRIS ), as candidate familiarity can significantly reduce onboarding time.

3. Key Qualifications & Criteria to Request

CIPP Certification:  Look for candidates who are members of or certified by the  Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) .

Compliance Knowledge:  Ensure they are up-to-date on UK tax rules, National Insurance, pension auto-enrolment, statutory pay (SSP, SMP, SPP), and RTI reporting to HMRC.

Which payroll software or HR system does your business currently use, and do you require interim cover while searching for a permanent candidate?

Recorded source events

Capture status: Complete source record. Supporting citations, provider links and retrieved results are separate.

• supporting_citation
  The Portfolio Group Expert Payroll Recruitment Agency - The Portfolio Group “Global Food Manufacturer All case studies Read case study. Portfolio Group worked with us to swiftly identify our temporary resource requirement and arranged in...”
  S07-A-gemini-r2-G01-1
• supporting_citation
  The Portfolio Group Expert Payroll Recruitment Agency - The Portfolio Group “Supporting the payroll sector since 1988, Portfolio Payroll is the market-leading recruitment agency for payroll professionals at all levels in the UK. The No.”
  S07-A-gemini-r2-G02-1
• supporting_citation
  jgarecruitment.com JGA Recruitment: Welcome to JGA Payroll and HR Recruitment “As one of the UK's leading recruitment agencies for Payroll and HR talent, we connect exceptional professionals with employers, empowering businesses to achieve...”
  S07-A-gemini-r2-G03-1

Integrity and context

SHA-256 of exact UTF-8 answer file: 2e24e19937e28c2d55f56c10c998597f359c12ec32469cd86022e33b191ee72e

Open the exact saved TXT

Export prepared 2026-10-22T19:18:18.614183+00:00. Generated product statements are preserved as evidence, not independently adopted capability claims. See the detailed report for actual collection conditions and capture limits.