Payroll Officer

Summary:

We’re hiring a detail-driven Payroll Officer to manage end-to-end payroll for multiple clients, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and exceptional client service.

Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Work set-up: In-Office / Hybrid

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end payroll process for multiple clients, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely execution of all payroll runs (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly).
• Oversee the calculation and processing of earnings, deductions, allowances, and benefits, including medical aid, pension, and statutory deductions.
• Ensure statutory compliance with all South African payroll-related laws and regulations (PAYE, UIF, WCA, COIDA, EMP201, EMP501, IRP5).
• Prepare and submit all statutory returns and reconciliations within deadlines, liaising with SARS and Department of Labour as needed.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date payroll records and reporting, safeguarding confidentiality in line with POPIA and other regulations.
• Handle SARS queries, verifications, and audits, ensuring efficient resolution and preventing penalties or non-compliance.
• Provide professional payroll advisory services to clients, resolving payroll-related queries, and assisting with payroll setup, onboarding, and terminations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of payroll processes, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and client satisfaction.
• Support the Payroll Team with guidance, training, and problem-solving where required.
• Collaborate with HR and Finance teams from the different companies to ensure alignment of payroll with employee lifecycle events and financial reporting.

Education:

• A 3-year Diploma or relevant tertiary qualification in Payroll, HR, Accounting, or related field (advantageous).

Experience:

• 4–5 years’ proven payroll experience within a multi-company or accounting environment.
• Solid track record of handling full payroll function independently.

Technical Knowledge:

• In-depth understanding of payroll legislation and compliance requirements (PAYE, UIF, WCA, SARS regulations).
• Strong knowledge of payroll best practices and employee tax regulations.
• Proficiency with payroll systems (SimplePay required; Payspace, Sage, or Pastel Payroll advantageous).
• Strong Excel and MS Office skills.

Competencies:

• Accuracy & Attention to Detail – consistently delivers error-free payroll processing.
• Compliance Focused – strong knowledge of statutory and tax regulations with ability to ensure full compliance.
• Analytical Thinking – able to reconcile payroll accounts, spot errors, and resolve discrepancies efficiently.
• Problem-Solving – skilled in resolving payroll queries and managing SARS interventions.
• Confidentiality & Integrity – maintains the highest level of discretion when handling sensitive employee data.
• Organisational Skills – capable of managing multiple client payrolls and meeting tight deadlines.
• Client Service Orientation – professional, responsive, and solutions-driven in client interactions.
• Collaboration – able to work well within a payroll/finance team and provide support to colleagues.
• Communication Skills – proficient in written and spoken English and Afrikaans.
• Adaptability – thrives in a complex, fast-changing environment and takes initiative to improve processes.