Payroll Administrator

SUMMARY:
A leading organisation is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Payroll Administrator to join their finance team.

POSITION INFO:
The successful candidate will be responsible for the end-to-end processing of payroll, ensuring accurate and timely payroll administration, statutory compliance, and confidential handling of employee information.

This role is ideal for a payroll professional who is highly organised, accurate, comfortable working under pressure, and has a strong understanding of payroll processes and statutory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:
Payroll Processing

• Process monthly payroll accurately and within agreed deadlines.
• Capture, validate and review all payroll inputs prior to submission.
• Process timesheets, calculate overtime and maintain leave records.
• Ensure accurate onboarding and offboarding of employees within the correct payroll cycle.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee information, including banking details, pay rates and personal information.
• Minimise post-submission payroll corrections.
• Ensure payslips are released within agreed deadlines.
• Ensure timely submission and payment of payroll taxes and related statutory obligations.

• Resolve payroll queries within the required 48-hour turnaround time.
• Provide accurate and professional support to employees regarding payroll-related queries.
• Maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and payroll information.
• Escalate unresolved queries within the required timeframes.

• Prepare monthly payroll reports.
• Reconcile payroll balances and investigate discrepancies.
• Assist with payroll audits and internal reviews.
• Ensure payroll reporting packs and supporting documentation are complete and accurate.

• Ensure compliance with applicable statutory requirements, including:
  • PAYE
  • UIF
  • ETI
  • Retirement funds
  • Third-party deductions
• Ensure payroll is processed in accordance with approved headcount, employment contracts and HR authorisations.
• Ensure compliance with accounting policies, procedures and internal controls.

• Identify recurring payroll errors, inefficiencies and control weaknesses.
• Implement corrective actions to improve payroll accuracy and efficiency.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the payroll function.
• Work with operational teams to identify opportunities for improved cost control.

• Provide administrative and finance support to management and the broader finance team.
• Assist with ad-hoc reporting and finance-related tasks.
• Support management with additional duties as required.

• Diploma or Degree in Payroll, Finance, Accounting or a related field is advantageous.
• 2–5 years' payroll experience is advantageous.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end payroll processes.
• Sound understanding of accounting principles.
• In-depth knowledge of payroll cycles and payroll administration.
• Understanding of financial systems and payroll processes.
• Good working knowledge of MS Office, particularly Excel, is advantageous.
• Knowledge of South African payroll legislation and statutory requirements.