Payroll Officer

BDO in Australia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

BDO in Australia is seeking a Payroll Officer to join the finance team and deliver end-to-end payroll for 2,800+ employees across NSW, QLD, SA, VIC & WA. The payroll team, and wider finance team are geographically dispersed across Australia.

The role emphasizes continuous improvement and confidentiality, with opportunities to develop payroll expertise within a global professional services firm.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in payroll within a medium to large organisation.
• Familiarity with payroll systems (Workday preferred).
• Understanding of payroll legislation, awards, and enterprise agreements is beneficial.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Relevant qualifications in payroll, finance, or business administration are advantageous but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Processing end-to-end fortnightly payroll, including data validation, approvals, and finalisation
• Generating new hire records
• Maintaining employee records
• Managing and reconciling termination payments, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and internal policies
• Preparing and reviewing payroll calculations such as bonuses, remuneration adjustments, and backpays based on business requests
• Working closely with People & Culture, Finance, and other internal stakeholders to ensure payroll accuracy and resolve queries
• Monitoring and managing the payroll inbox, responding to employee queries in a timely and professional manner, and escalating complex issues as needed
• Maintaining payroll operations by following policies and procedures and contributing to process improvements
• Carrying out administrative payroll and other ad hoc requirements

Skills

Payroll processing

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Team collaboration

Education

Payroll/Finance/Business administration qualification

Tools

Workday

Job description

We're BDO, a global professional services firm connected to local markets. Our people work together to provide specialist expertise, helping businesses achieve their goals.

We inspire others, to go further. We create together, to reach higher. We build trust, to lead purposefully.

Whether you're building your future or starting your career with us, you won't do it alone. From creating solutions for our clients to building careers for our people, we shape what matters, and that’s where you come in.

About the Role

As a Payroll Officer within the BDO finance team, you will report to the Payroll Supervisor and play a key role in the delivery of payroll activities for 2,800 + BDO employees across NSW, QLD, SA, VIC & WA. The payroll team, and wider finance team are geographically dispersed across Australia.

The BDO finance team is undergoing an exciting period of transformation. This role would suit someone who is passionate about the payroll end to end process, but who also enjoys continuous improvement and being part of a team that is committed to excellence.

The BDO finance team has a proven track record with internal recognition and supporting development, whether through the payroll team or the wider finance team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Processing end-to-end fortnightly payroll, including data validation, approvals, and finalisation
• Generating new hire records
• Maintaining employee records
• Managing and reconciling termination payments, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and internal policies
• Preparing and reviewing payroll calculations such as bonuses, remuneration adjustments, and backpays based on business requests
• Working closely with People & Culture, Finance, and other internal stakeholders to ensure payroll accuracy and resolve queries
• Monitoring and managing the payroll inbox, responding to employee queries in a timely and professional manner, and escalating complex issues as needed
• Maintaining payroll operations by following policies and procedures and contributing to process improvements
• Carrying out administrative payroll and other ad hoc requirements

Skills/Attributes Required

• Ability to work independently while contributing to a team-oriented environment
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with a customer-focused approach
• High attention to detail and commitment to maintaining confidentiality
• Organised and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Eagerness to learn and adapt in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Problem-solving mindset and willingness to contribute to continuous improvement

Qualifications and Experience required

• Prior experience in payroll within a medium to large organisation
• Familiarity with payroll systems and software (Workday experience preferred but not essential)
• Understanding of payroll legislation, awards, and enterprise agreements is beneficial
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Relevant qualifications in payroll, finance, or business administration are advantageous but not essential

Why BDO

Working for BDO you will be part of a growing and market leading professional services firm.

Our national and global footprint provides our people with opportunities to work on interesting client engagements, across diverse industry sectors and services.

Our open and collaborative culture ensures access to Partners and professional mentors, to guide and accelerate your professional career, across a wide array of career pathways.

We provide our people with various health and wellbeing, social, financial, and professional development benefits to help realise what’s possible.

Participate in fitness challenges or take advantage of exclusive discounts to corporate health insurance, gym memberships and wellness facilities via our BWell program. Access benefits such as travel perks, retail discounts, employee referral rewards, study, and professional development support.

Our leave options cater to the unique needs of our people; and include enhanced family support, cultural and religious leave, and options to purchase additional leave. You can also give back and get involved in community initiatives via our BCaring program.

With a strong focus on learning and growth, we provide on the job training and formal development programs to help you succeed in your role and develop your skills and experience.

Our culture is underpinned by our core values (One, Bold, Human, Heart and Strive).

We are proud to be recognised as an Inclusive Employer for 2025-2026 by Diversity Council of Australia and a 2024-2025 Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).