Payroll Officer

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is hiring a Payroll Officer within Human Resources.

This role is based in Basel, Switzerland; however, thanks to our status as an international organization, we can hire globally and welcome applications from candidates of all nationalities and located anywhere in the world. Relocation support is available for the successful candidate and their dependent family members.

Purpose of the role:

The Bank for International Settlements’ mission is to support central banks‘ pursuit of monetary and financial stability through international partnership and to act as a bank for central banks. You will contribute to this mission as a member of the People Services team in Human Resources. To support the team, you will administer the processing of payroll, personal deposit accounts, social security, taxes, and personal loans; liaise with our Finance department for monthly reconciliations; support the administration and maintenance of processes in the area of payroll & benefits operations; and provide first-level support for related requests and queries.

By joining the Human Resources team, you will:

1. Collaborate with and learn from a diverse team of experienced HR professionals while supporting our People Services team as a payroll specialist.
2. Join our organisation at an exciting time of change, transformation, modernisation, and growth.
3. Join the team during the implementation of a new HR system which will create opportunities for innovation and process optimisation.

Principal accountabilities:

Payroll administration

1. Check and sign off changes of HR data in the payroll system as maintained by HR Operations.
2. Check payroll-related reports and ensure all changes are supported by relevant documentation.
3. Ensure the timely and accurate transfer of payments into the accounts of beneficiaries.
4. Prepare accounting journals and reconcile monthly and annual balances in cooperation with Finance and the Banking Settlements Centre.
5. Ensure accuracy of salary and pension statements.
6. Clarify and resolve any discrepancies.

Social security and taxes

1. Administer AHV/ALV accounts of Swiss nationals in accordance with statutory requirements.
2. Act as point of contact for questions regarding income taxes for staff and external tax adviser.

Personal Deposit Accounts and personal loans

1. Administer deposits to and disbursements from Personal Deposit Accounts. Ensure the timely and accurate transfer of payments (including interest payments) into the accounts of beneficiaries.
2. Prepare six-monthly/annual statements and organise their distribution.
3. Prepare statements concerning withholding tax payments to the federal authorities.
4. Prepare accounting journals and reconcile monthly and annual balances in cooperation with Finance and the Banking Settlements Centre.
5. Administer personal loans.

General services and support

1. Support the administration and maintenance of processes in the area of compensation and benefits.
2. Provide first-level support for related requests and queries from internal and external clients, exhibiting in all circumstances a service-oriented attitude, either by directly handling the request or channeling it to the appropriate person within HR.
3. Provide backup cover for other team members in their absence.

Filing and archiving

1. Ensure that all payroll-related documentation is correctly filed and archived in accordance with the Bank’s document retention policy.
2. Support business continuity in the payroll office and HR more generally.

Qualifications, skills, and experience:

1. Relevant degree or qualification or equivalent work experience.
2. Knowledgeable about HR processes, operations, and payroll.
3. Experienced in the operation of HR IT systems and applications, such as Oracle or Workday.
4. Attention to detail and accuracy.
5. Able to produce high-quality work, including under time pressure.
6. Customer- and service-oriented; able to troubleshoot and multitask; team player; flexibility to help colleagues in a small team.
7. Acts with integrity; displays high standard of ethical conduct; committed to the highest level of discretion in all activities.
8. Good written and oral English skills.

Who we are:

The Bank for International Settlements is a diverse organization with colleagues from over 60 countries. By joining us in the international city of Basel, you will work in a unique, highly rewarding, and international work environment. We truly value diversity and inclusion and want to reflect the world we serve. We want the best people to work for us in an inclusive environment so welcome applications from all qualified candidates. At the BIS, we value equality and diversity in all its forms and one way we support diversity and inclusion is through our staff-run networks.

What the BIS offers:

We want your time at BIS to be a rewarding and career-enriching experience. We offer an agile and flexible working environment with hybrid working opportunities including home office and working from abroad days. To support our international applicants, we offer relocation support that extends to your dependent family members. In addition, thanks to our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, including support for working families including childcare and education allowances (where applicable). Finally, we offer a genuinely unique international working environment, which will give you exposure to the global financial system and the opportunity to collaborate with passionate experts from all over the world.

We strive to ensure that individuals are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the application or interview process, and to perform essential job functions. Should you wish to request adjustment, support in completing this application or participating in the application process, then please contact the recruitment team at

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