specialist payroll & pensions for MATs
Reliable, stress-free Payroll you can trust
Reduce risk, support growth and improve operational efficiencies with a move from resource-heavy payroll processes to calm, accurate operations.
Neo combines education-sector expertise, responsive support and a fully managed service that goes far beyond software, giving HR and finance teams greater confidence in their processes.
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Collaborating with multi-academy trusts to ensure pay is accurate and on time, every time.
10+ years
experience supporting MATs
99.94%
payroll accuracy
70,000+
employees paid on time
every month
110+
Multi-academy
trust partners
payroll made simple
More than a pay run. A dependable partnership
Built for the realities of multi-academy trusts, Neo gives central teams and schools a shared, reliable foundation for complex contracts, term-time patterns, multiple schools and changing structures - reducing risk, freeing capacity and strengthening workforce operations.
01
Accuracy that protects trust
Meticulous checking, structured controls and Neo's 99.94% accuracy rate help prevent errors, emergency payments and avoidable reputational damage.
02
Education-specific
CIPP qualified education specialists understand term-time pay, multiple contracts, pensions, MAT growth and the pressures faced by HR and finance teams.
03
Support that feels human
Neo's responsive, personable support explains the “why” as well as the “what”, helping trust teams build confidence rather than dependency.
the risk of standing still
For MATs, staying with the wrong payroll provider can be riskier than switching
Repeated workarounds, late changes, fragmented data and unclear accountability can grow with every school and every pay cycle. Neo Payroll helps to alleviate that risk by reducing pressure and simplifying each payroll run, all whilst saving you time and money.
Neo Payroll automates complex calculations, reporting and workflows that drain time from overstretched teams and enable leaders to make strategic decisions.
Employee, pay and contract data connects from school to trust level, giving you a single, consistent picture of workforce cost wherever you operate. Board and trustee reporting comes from one set of figures, budget forecasts stand up to scrutiny, and no school in the trust is a blind spot.
Neo Payroll helps you replace last-minute crisis management with clear processes, checks and responsive support. You can take on new schools without adding back-office headcount, reduce exposure to errors and compliance breaches, and give trustees and auditors confidence that pay and workforce decisions are under control.
One platform, connected capability & wraparound support
Explore what Neo Payroll brings together for MATs
Select an area below to see how Neo Payroll supports daily operations and trust-wide decision-making.
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Accurate, on time payroll, every time
Neo Payroll is an end-to-end outsourced payroll system and service with a 99.94% accuracy rating, delivered specifically to academy trusts since 2015.
- End-to-end outsourced payroll, run by education specialists
- Reporting to LGPS, TPS and HMRC handled for you
- Payroll changes and contracts managed through the iTrent portal
- Financial summaries built for MAT-level oversight
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Pensions contributions and compliance covered
A complete pensions service, so you can be confident that employee and employer contributions are correct and compliant every month.
- Employee and employer contributions calculated and checked
- Auto-enrolment requirements monitored on your behalf
- Starter, leaver and change forms completed and submitted
- LGPS and TPS returns managed alongside your payroll
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From vacancy to first payslip and beyond
Neo's Web Recruitment module streamlines hiring and feeds new starters straight into the same system that pays them.
- Vacancies, applications and shortlisting in one place
- New starter details flow into payroll without re-keying
- Contracts issued and managed through Neo
- One connected record from recruitment across the entire employee lifecycle
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Employee's have access to their own information, 24/7
The Employee Self Service portal gives staff round-the-clock access to their pay information, and gives managers the tools to act without going through you.
- 24/7 employee access to payslips and pay information
- Manager self-service portal for day-to-day approvals
- Flexible role management across the trust
- Fewer routine queries reaching your business managers
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Strategic insights for data-driven decision-making
Comprehensive reporting and statistical analysis give leadership real visibility across staffing, absence and cost, helping you identify risks early.
- Statistical analysis of absence data across the trust
- Financial summaries designed for MAT-level decision-making
- Reporting drawn from a single, consistent employee record
- Visibility at individual school and whole-trust level
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A safer way to switch
Controlled onboarding, even at MAT scale
Neo’s structured approach creates clarity well before go-live, with accountability at every stage.
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We map your structures, payroll rules, school-level responsibilities, integrations and risks.
We cleanse and validate your data, configure workflows and agree a clear migration plan.
We run parallel payrolls and detailed checks to establish confidence before transition.
When you're ready, we help you mobilise with responsive support, clear ownership and continued post-launch assurance.
Testimonials
People Matters Thought Leadership Series
People Matters is our bold, people-first thought leadership platform where education leaders explore people, policy and payroll challenges in true, trusted partnership.
“Conversations for the Unapologetically Curious...”
- A bold, people-first thought leadership platform exploring the real issues shaping the education sector today
- For leaders and change-makers covering people, policy and payroll across schools and trusts
- A trusted space to share ideas, challenge thinking and build confidence through change
Judicium HR Training Programme
The Judicium HR Training Programme is our practical, term-by-term training portfolio where school leaders build the confidence and know-how to manage people well at every stage of the employee lifecycle.
“Access the right training, at the right time, all year round...”
- A structured programme of CPD-accredited sessions and short briefings following the rhythm of the academic year
- For leaders, headteachers, governors, and line managers handling HR across schools and trusts
- A practical space to master the essentials, tackle challenges and make confident, compliant decisions
Case Studies
50%
less payroll admin
for business managers
Find out how Eko Trust cut payroll errors and halved their business managers' workload.
Read the case study
500+
staff paid right,
every time
Find out how Cornovii Trust went from missed Christmas pay to 500+ staff being paid accurately and on time.
Read the case study
1 hour
to get a whole team
up and running
Find out how City of London Academies Trust switched payroll across 11 schools without the drama.
Read the case study
Free downloads
Related Content
13th October 2026 | eBook Pension administration rarely attracts attention until something goes wrong, mistakes can distort pension records for years before they're discovered,... 30th September 2026 | Blog Is payroll taking up more of your trust's time than it should? This article looks at five ways a managed payroll service can help academy trusts save... 12th October 2026 | Case Study When two trusts merged, Compass Eko Trust moved every school onto Neo Payroll. CFO Jo Daniels explains how the trust gained a common pay date, full..._1024.png)
Avoiding Common Payroll Errors
5 Benefits of a Managed Payroll Service for Academy Trusts
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Compass Eko Trust
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Frequently asked questions about Payroll & Pensions
Neo uses structured discovery, data validation, configuration, parallel runs and detailed checking before go-live. This creates a controlled transition with clear accountability across the trust.
Yes. The service is designed around school and trust-level structures, flexible role permissions, centralised or distributed processes, multiple contracts and MAT-wide reporting.
Neo supports integrations with leading education platforms including Arbor and Bromcom, reducing duplicate entry and improving consistency across payroll, HR and absence data.
Specialists support LGPS and TPS reporting, starters, leavers, changes, auto-enrolment monitoring and relevant payment and submission processes.
Employees can securely access payslips, P60s, payment history and employment information, with optional workflows for personal detail changes, leave and expense submissions.
Web Recruitment is available as an add-on for outsourced payroll clients, supporting requisitions, vacancy publishing, applications, interviews, offers and onboarding in one connected workflow.