Job Purpose

The Payroll Trainee supports the delivery of high‑quality global payroll services for multinational clients. The role involves learning core payroll processes, developing technical knowledge, and supporting the wider Global Payroll Services team. This position is part of a structured trainee programme combining hands‑on experience, formal technical training, and a clearly defined progression pathway aligned to the organisation’s trainee development framework. This is a great opportunity for a candidate initiating their payroll career as well as having exposure to Global Payroll.

Key Responsibilities

1. Payroll Processing & Compliance

Work as point of contact between our Center of Excellence team, our global colleagues, and clients to facilitate the preparation and delivery of weekly, fortnightly, and monthly payrolls for multiple jurisdictions
Support statutory filing activities in our Global Payroll software, ensuring all compliance tasks are completed accurately and on time.
Update and validate monthly FX rates as required.
Perform journal‑related tasks including GL processing, balance checks, reconciliation and issue identification.
Increase responsibility for payroll tasks in line with defined training milestones.

2. Client & Internal Coordination

Communicate professionally with clients to request information, clarify data, and resolve queries.
Work collaboratively with global colleagues to support end‑to‑end payroll delivery.
Assist with the creation, distribution and tracking of monthly and annual payroll calendars.

3. Systems, Data & Reporting

Develop proficiency in our Global Payroll Platform across Data Prep, Calendars, Reporting, KPIs, Journals, Mapping and User Access.
Assist with KPI reporting including headcount checks, activity log reviews, and performance tracking.
Undertake data consolidation tasks for client‑specific projects.
Support internal processes such as billing, payment activities, tracker updates, invoice downloads.

Person Specification

Essential Skills & Attributes

Demonstrated interest in payroll, finance, HR or international business.
Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively in a team.
Ability to manage workload, follow structured processes, and meet deadlines.
Computer literate with strong MS Office skills and willingness to learn new systems.
High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and commitment to quality.
Some experience in HR, payroll, accounting, or finance is beneficial.
Legal right to work in Ireland.

Performance & Development Expectations

Trainees are expected to proactively track and complete tasks using the structured checklist system.
Attend regular performance and development meetings with the manager, as well as completing internal trainings.
Seek support promptly where tasks prove challenging to ensure learning continuity.
Managers will provide clear expectations, assign trainers, and ensure consistent progression aligned to milestones.
The ideal candidate should be enrolled (or looking to be enrolled) in the IPASS certification program. Continuation of the trainee contract is contingent upon successful completion of the IPASS exams

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We are Grant Thornton

Grant Thornton Ireland is rapidly approaching 3,000 people, in 9 offices across Ireland, Isle of Man, Gibraltar and Bermuda. With a presence in over 149 countries around the world and a global network of 73,000 people, we bring our clients the local knowledge, national expertise and global presence to help them succeed – wherever they’re located.

At GT, we work as trusted advisors, bringing local knowledge and national expertise, with a global presence, to help businesses succeed – wherever they are located. We make business more personal by investing in building relationships and empowering our clients to make the right decisions for their organisation now and for the future. Whether that is working with the public sector to build thriving communities, with regulators and financial institutions to build trust, or with a diverse range of businesses to help them achieve their goals, Grant Thornton Ireland work hard to support clients to act on the issues that matter.

At GT Ireland we don’t just predict your future, we build it.

A Career at GT

Looking for a more fulfilling role in professional services? One where fresh thinking, collaboration and diversity are valued? At Grant Thornton we do things differently.

What does this mean for you?

A career in a more inclusive working environment, a more collaborative work culture, a more supported, flexible working role, more possibilities to grow and more opportunities to help shape the future for your clients. We respect and value your experience. And we want you to bring your authentic self to work and be at your best. It is how it should be.

Grow with us

At Grant Thornton, we care about our people and work hard to make you feel valued. If you are looking to deepen and develop your skills, knowledge, and experience throughout your career, then that is what you will get, and more.

Our Benefits

Please follow this link for information on our generous benefits package.

Equity, diversity and inclusion
At Grant Thornton, we provide equitable opportunities for all our colleagues. We are a responsible, sustainable business where equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) is at the forefront of our workplace culture agenda, and today, we continue to build and develop on our existing ED&I structure and strategy to meet our workplace culture needs. People are at the heart of our business and teams built with varied individuals present diverse viewpoints, which need to be heard and valued.

We are all at our best when we are able to be ourselves and we view integrity and authenticity as integral values to bring to our day-to-day work-life at the firm. We are excited to see the personality and perspectives you will bring to our team because we know we will all benefit from them. Diversity of thought, background and experience enables better decision-making, improves the quality of our delivery, and helps us to meet the needs of our clients. Our firm is built on people and their ideas, so we want to hear all the new perspectives and fresh thinking you have to offer. You form the bedrock of our firm’s best-practice principles and we will champion you as leaders from day one.

Reward and benefits
Our reward and benefits are designed to create an environment where our people can flourish. We are committed to building a culture where our people have access to the necessary benefits to help promote a healthy lifestyle and thrive.

Recognition
We want to create a culture of recognition and celebrating success, by saying thank you to people who surpass our expectations and recognising the right values and behaviours. Our Shout Out recognition scheme is our way of highlighting and promoting achievements. Whether you simply want to say thank you, celebrate a special occasion or give an award for doing something exceptional, you can do all of this and more through the scheme.

Global Payroll Trainee

Job Description