All answers / S07-C-perplexity-r2

S07-C | Perplexity | Observation 2

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Exact question

We need to replace our Payroll Manager at a medium-sized UK company. Which recruitment agencies would you shortlist for this permanent UK payroll role, and what public evidence supports their relevant experience?

Complete saved answer

For a medium-sized UK company replacing a  permanent Payroll Manager , I would shortlist  Portfolio Payroll, Hays, Michael Page, Reed Accountancy, and Oakleaf Partnership . The strongest specialist-first choice is Portfolio Payroll; the large generalists give broader reach and regional coverage; Oakleaf is best if the role overlaps materially with HR, reward, or payroll transformation.

Shortlist and evidence

| Agency | Why shortlist | Public evidence of payroll relevance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Portfolio Payroll | Best first call for a dedicated payroll hire: specialist payroll brand, permanent-recruitment team, and payroll-specific screening. | Says it has supported the payroll sector since 1988 and recruits from entry level to Head of Payroll; its permanent division has dedicated consultants and offers tailored salary benchmarking and candidate assessments. theportfoliogroup +2 It also states that candidates are referenced and CIPP knowledge-tested, and that it became a CIPP Corporate Partner in 2025. theportfoliogroup +1 |
| Hays | Strong option if you want national coverage, a large candidate pool, and a permanent-hire process with payroll-specialist consultants. | Hays advertises dedicated payroll recruitment consultants, nearly 70 UK offices, and explicit recruitment for Payroll Manager and Head of Payroll roles, including permanent positions. [hays.co](https://www.hays.co.uk/jobs/accountancy-finance/payroll) |
| Michael Page | Good for a hands-on Payroll Manager in a medium-sized business, particularly where finance/HR collaboration, controls, and team management matter. | Its live payroll vacancies include multiple permanent Payroll Manager roles at roughly £45k–£70k, with briefs covering end-to-end payroll, compliance, payroll records, team management, and HR/Finance liaison. michaelpage.co +3 |
| Reed / Reed Accountancy | Useful regional alternative with evidence of active permanent Payroll Manager mandates across the UK. | Reed currently lists permanent Payroll Manager vacancies, including an Oxfordshire role where Reed Accountancy is recruiting an experienced Payroll Manager to own a UK payroll operation. reed.co +2 |
| Oakleaf Partnership | Strong if the replacement must also handle payroll transformation, global payroll, auto-enrolment, or a close HR/reward interface. | Oakleaf describes a dedicated payroll consultancy handling permanent and interim assignments from Payroll Clerk through Payroll Manager, Global Payroll Implementation Manager, and Global Payroll Director; it also says many consultants have worked in payroll or accounts. [oakleafpartnership](https://www.oakleafpartnership.com/business-areas/payroll/payroll-capabilities) |
| CV Screen | Worth including as a specialist challenger, especially for a cost-conscious permanent search. | CV Screen says it has recruited UK payroll professionals since 2000, covers Payroll Manager and Head of Payroll, and interviews candidates against the client brief before submitting a shortlist. [cvscreen.co](https://www.cvscreen.co.uk/payroll-recruitment/) |
| Robert Walters | Consider if you want a larger firm with payroll plus wider finance, transformation, and outsourcing capability. | Robert Walters advertises permanent recruitment solutions and payroll solutions; third-party listings also show it recruiting permanent Payroll Manager roles, including high-volume payroll and pension environments. robertwalters.co +1 |

Recommended approach

• Run a two-agency process: Portfolio Payroll as the specialist, plus either Hays or Michael Page depending on location and salary band. This balances payroll depth with market reach.

• Use Oakleaf only if the brief is broader than core UK payroll —for example, payroll system implementation, international payroll, or a manager who will work closely with HR and reward.

• Ask each agency for: recent permanent Payroll Manager placements, candidate-source breakdown, salary benchmarking for your region, CIPP/ payroll-system screening method, and a written replacement-hire plan.

• Test their brief understanding: a credible agency should ask about headcount, pay frequency, pension/auto-enrolment, benefits, payroll platform, HMRC/BACS processes, year-end, team size, and whether the manager owns compliance and process improvement.

For a typical medium-sized UK employer, I would begin with  Portfolio Payroll and Hays , then add  Michael Page  if you need stronger regional or finance-led candidate coverage. The public evidence most directly supports Portfolio’s payroll specialism, Hays’s dedicated payroll network, and Michael Page’s active permanent Payroll Manager mandates. hays.co +3

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