Sue Coster has over 32 years of experience in payroll management, including 26 years as Payroll Manager for Basildon Borough Council. She led projects to implement new HR/payroll systems, pension changes, and equal pay reviews. Sue is proficient in major payroll systems and office software, and holds a Foundation Degree in Payroll Management from CIPP with distinctions in all modules.

1. Sue Coster
Basildon, Essex
01268 581372 | 07801 356533 | suds1uk@yahoo.co.uk
Profile
Extremely professional and customer focused Payroll Manager with over 32 years comprehensive payroll experience
gained in a variety of payroll positions. Proven track record of delivering an excellent in-house payroll service and
delivering change. Ability to manually calculate statutory processes (SSP/MATB1/SPP), track record of managing
payroll staff including their training and appraisals, and experienced at managing accurate payroll workload to tight
and conflicting deadlines. Demonstrated payroll system implementation with organised, proactive and adaptable
approach to work, successfully project managed multiple payroll initiatives during the career span, great team player
and able to work under own initiative. Strong technical knowledge with good depth and breadth of knowledge,
numerical skills and attention to detail. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills used to engage with all levels
of staff and management, producing professional relationships both internally and externally.
Career Summary
Payroll Manager Basildon Borough Council Feb 1989 –Aug 2015
Basildon Borough is the second largest Council in Essex by population and covers some 42.5 square miles. Basildon is a
major player in the Thames Gateway region which is a priority area for regeneration, and recognised as the business
and economic hub of South Essex. The council employs c 1000 staff, serving a population of c 167,500. Joined
Basildon Borough Council in Feb 1989 as a Payroll clerical officer and progressed quickly and currently hold the
position of Payroll Manager.
• Responsible for the efficient and seamless provision of the payroll service ensuring that payments to employees
and councillors are accurate and made on time
• First point of contact for internal and external payroll queries ensuring delivery is customer focused
• Planning, co-ordination and delivery of all payroll work, including starters, leavers and the efficient recovery of
overpayments.
• Responsible for PAYE settlement agreements
• Ensure all statutory and regulatory returns are completed and submitted by deadlines required
• Ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements in the provision of services
• Provide a comprehensive pension administration service in partnership with Essex County Council to ensure
compliance with the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) contribution and data requirements, ensuring
timely and accurate data and information returns as required.
• Ensure all auto enrolment pension requirements are administered accurately
• Accurately reconcile the monthly payroll accounts, and contribute to the requirement for the annual closure of
the financial accounts as required.
• Management of all human resource issues within the payroll team, including responsibility for staff development
and the identification and monitoring of performance and training needs.
• Prepare and monitor an annual service plan, including service performance standards and monitor and evaluate
service performance to ensure the efficient and effective use of resources.
• Accountable for the main Payroll System of the Council including its availability to end users, security, data
integrity, fulfilling reporting needs and its continued development.
• Responsible for all year end procedures including but not limited to P60s, P11Ds and year end returns
• Manage the period and year end payroll procedures and reconciliations on the system, on a timely basis with full
communication to relevant personnel. Achieve a seamless service for end users where possible.
• Drive forward technological improvements to the main Payroll system of the Council.
• Provide information to Audit (internal and external) as required and implement and monitor audit
recommendations in a timely and successful manner.
• Ensure that relevant controls are in place and that they are adhered too and continue to be effective.
• Maintain a detailed knowledge of the payroll function combined with a good knowledge for the procedures, rules
and legislation covering the function.
• Prepare information for budget estimates, closure of accounts, grant claims and other returns as required.
• Provide corporate core high level advice on payroll and pension matters to managers, staff and councillors

2. Sue Coster | 01268 581372 | 07801 356533| suds1uk@yahoo.co.uk
Key Achievements
• Led on the payroll stream of the implementation of an integrated HR/Payroll system, which included challenging
existing processes and taking advantage of efficiencies offered by modern technology such as employee self-
service.
• Implementation of a project known as single status, which was a nationwide review of pay and grading structure
of local government staff to ensure equality, and once completed involved the calculation of compensation
payments for some staff, and a whole sale update to all staff pay and conditions of service. This had to be project
managed to ensure that staff pay was accurate and updated by the dates communicated.
• Implemented the new LGPS pension scheme 2014 changes, as well as the auto enrolment pension initiative that
affects all staff.
• Implemented staff childcare voucher scheme
Senior Payroll Officer Basildon Borough Council July 2001 – February 2011
• Supervised the payroll team to ensure that all deadlines were met.
• Ensured all statutory requirements were correctly adhered to and responsible for administering statutory
deductions, the LGPS and all administration of the payroll system.
• Responsible for the complex payroll queries from both managers and staff.
• Manage the period and year end payroll procedures and reconciliations on the system, on a timely basis with full
communication to relevant personnel.
• Provide information to Audit (internal and external) as required and implement and monitor audit
recommendations in a timely and successful manner.
• Undertook the training of all new staff to the payroll team and took an active role in their development
• Supported the payroll manager to deliver the year end processes including but not limited to P60s, P11Ds and
year end returns
Key Achievements
• Transfer of approximately 400 staff from weekly to monthly pay
• Developing management skills to deputise for payroll manager on a regular basis
Earlier Career History
Payroll Clerical Officer Basildon Borough Council 1989 - 1998
Payroll Clerical Officer London Regional Transport 1983 - 1989
IT Skills
Payroll Systems, ITRENT – Midland HR System, Sum Total Solutions – Cyborg
Have used reporting tools of Business Objects and Cognos
Microsoft Office – intermediate user of Work and Excel and Microsoft outlook
Finance System – Capita – Integra. Used the purchase ordering system for order placement and the general ledger for
reconciliations and budget management
Education, Qualifications and Training
CIPP foundation degree in Payroll Management – completed, awaiting final result
CIPP Advanced Certificate in Payroll
Equivalent of 8 X GCSEs including Maths and English
Attended numerous internal course and external seminars, conferences and training sessions on topics ranging from
those developing management skills, managing change and various payroll related subjects.
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