We are seeking an experienced German Payroll & Compliance Consultant to support the HR and payroll operations of our client companies in Germany.
As a global HR and payroll solutions provider, we work with international clients employing staff across multiple jurisdictions. This role serves as our local Germany payroll subject matter expert, providing guidance on German payroll legislation, statutory compliance, and payroll best practices while supporting end-to-end payroll operations for our clients.
The successful candidate will ensure payroll activities comply with all applicable German labour, tax, and social security regulations, coordinate statutory reporting requirements, and provide expert advice to our internal HR & Payroll team.
This is a fully remote Independent Contractor assignment, with an estimated commitment of approximately 5 hours per week (20 hours per month).
Roles & Responsibilities
- Serve as the local payroll and statutory compliance expert for Germany, providing guidance to internal HR & Payroll Managers on German payroll legislation and best practices.
- Perform or review monthly end-to-end gross-to-net payroll calculations in accordance with German payroll regulations.
- Ensure accurate calculation and reporting of Wage tax (Lohnsteuer), Solidarity surcharge (Solidaritätszuschlag), where applicable, Church tax (Kirchensteuer), where applicable, Social security contributions, including pension, health insurance, nursing care insurance, unemployment insurance, and accident insurance, where applicable.
- Prepare and support statutory payroll reporting and submissions to the relevant German authorities, including payroll tax filings and social security reporting, ensuring full compliance with German legal requirements.
- Support annual payroll compliance activities, including year-end payroll reconciliation, employee annual wage tax certificates (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung), and other statutory reporting obligations.
- Advise internal teams on German employment regulations affecting payroll, including onboarding, offboarding, salary changes, bonuses, leave, reimbursements, benefits, and payroll taxation.
- Liaise with local vendors, authorities, tax advisors, payroll software providers, and social insurance agencies where required.
- Respond to internal and client enquiries relating to German payroll, employment regulations, payroll taxation, social security, and statutory compliance.
- Assist in documenting German payroll procedures and expanding the company's global payroll knowledge base.
- Work closely with the Global Payroll team to continuously improve payroll processes, compliance standards, and operational efficiency.
Requirements
- Diploma or Degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience managing end-to-end German payroll.
- Strong knowledge of the complete German payroll cycle, including monthly payroll processing, wage tax, social security contributions, statutory reporting, and year-end payroll obligations.
- Thorough understanding of German labour legislation, payroll tax regulations, and social security requirements.
- Experience with German payroll software such as DATEV Lohn und Gehalt, DATEV LODAS, SAP HCM Payroll, ADP Germany, P&I LOGA, Sage HR Suite, or equivalent.
- Experience preparing statutory payroll submissions and working with German tax authorities and social insurance institutions.
- Ability to advise international teams on German payroll compliance requirements and statutory obligations.
- Excellent communication skills with strong attention to detail and problem-solving ability.
- Fluency in English is required. German language proficiency is highly preferred to communicate effectively with local authorities, vendors, and statutory institutions.
- Candidates who are licensed German Steuerberater (Tax Advisor), work within a licensed tax advisory practice, or are otherwise legally authorised to provide German payroll compliance services under applicable German regulations will be highly preferred.
Job Types: Part-time, Contract
Contract length: 9 months
Pay: 40,00€ - 100,00€ per hour
Work Location: Remote
