Payroll Audit Officer - Sos Recruitment

Sos Recruitment; Canberra; On-site; AUD 77,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Sos Recruitment is seeking Payroll Audit Officers (APS5 to EL1) to support a major payroll reconciliation project in Canberra. You will audit and reconcile leave balances for up to 530 employees, using advanced Excel to identify discrepancies and guide corrections.

Flexibility is offered, but some Canberra office attendance on nominated days is required to review physical records and ensure accurate payroll data in the new HRMIS system.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience auditing and reconciling employee leave balances.
• Strong payroll knowledge and finance exposure.
• Understanding of Australian Government and APS payroll requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reconciliation.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to document findings clearly.
• Ability to commence at short notice and handle sensitive information.
• Willingness to attend the Canberra office on nominated days.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed audits of annual, personal, long service and prior service leave balances for up to 530 employees.
• Review and reconcile leave data between legacy and current payroll systems.
• Identify discrepancies and document audit findings clearly.
• Manually analyse, reconcile and validate payroll and leave data using Excel.
• Review records to verify entitlements and balances.
• Prepare reports outlining discrepancies and recommended corrections.
• Support payroll rectification documentation and filing.
• Maintain records and supporting documents.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to resolve discrepancies.

Skills

Payroll audits

Account reconciliation

Microsoft Excel

Attention to detail

Documentation

Stakeholder collaboration

Police check

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Position: APS5 - EL1 Payroll Audit Officers

Duration: Approx. 6-month contract

Pay rate:
APS5: $56.94 - $62.07 per hour plus 12% superannuation
APS6: $63.93 - $71.60 per hour plus 12% superannuation
EL1: $78.05 - $85.07 per hour plus 12% superannuation

Security requirements: Ability to obtain and maintain a National Police Check

Overview

Our Federal Government client is seeking one or more experienced Payroll Audit Officers at the APS5 to EL1 equivalent level to support a significant payroll and leave reconciliation project.

The successful candidates will undertake a comprehensive audit of employee leave balances following the transition from a legacy system to a new HRMIS payroll system. The project will involve reviewing records for up to 530 employees, identifying discrepancies and supporting the accurate correction and rectification of leave balances.

This is a hands‑on role requiring strong payroll knowledge, advanced Excel skills and a thorough understanding of Australian Government and APS payroll requirements. Flexible working arrangements are available; however, attendance in the Canberra office will be required on nominated days to review physical employee records.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed audits of annual, personal, long service and prior service leave balances for up to 530 employees.
• Review and reconcile employee leave data between legacy and current payroll systems.
• Identify discrepancies and clearly document audit findings.
• Manually analyse, reconcile and validate payroll and leave data using Microsoft Excel.
• Review physical and electronic employee records to verify leave entitlements and balances.
• Prepare structured, accurate and easy‑to‑understand reports outlining discrepancies and recommended corrections.
• Support the preparation and maintenance of documentation required for payroll rectification activities.
• Ensure records and supporting documentation are appropriately maintained and filed.
• Work collaboratively with relevant internal stakeholders to resolve identified discrepancies.

Experience/requirements

• Demonstrated experience auditing and reconciling employee leave balances.
• Strong background in payroll, finance or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of Australian Government and APS payroll requirements, including relevant employment legislation, industrial instruments, policies and compliance obligations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, with demonstrated experience manually analysing and reconciling large volumes of data.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify and investigate discrepancies.
• Well‑developed documentation and reporting skills.
• Ability to work accurately with sensitive employee and payroll information.
• Ability to commence at short notice.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a National Police Check.
• Availability to attend the Canberra office on nominated days to review physical employee records.

SOS Recruitment is committed to workplace diversity and equity in employment. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disabilities, women, people with family responsibilities, and individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic, religious and LGBTIQ backgrounds