Employee Benefits / Payroll Accountant

RMV Solution; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading HR consultancy is seeking an experienced Payroll Accountant in Cape Town. This role involves managing payroll accounting for South Africa and beyond, ensuring compliance with related laws. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelors in accounting, 4+ years of experience in payroll, and strong analytical skills. Join a progressive team in a key strategic position.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years' relevant experience in payroll and accounts payable.
• 3+ years in accounting with payroll focus.
• Strong knowledge of South African payroll and tax laws.

Responsibilities

• Oversee full payroll process including general ledger management.
• Ensure compliance with payroll and tax legislation.
• Reconcile payroll accounts and resolve discrepancies.

Skills

Payroll oversight

Data verification

Analytical abilities

Team leadership

Compliance knowledge

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Bachelors degree in accounting or Finance

Tools

Payroll systems (Oracle preferred)

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

Our client is seeking a skilled and experienced Payroll Accountant to join their dynamic Employee Benefits team. This is a key role focused on managing end-to-end payroll accounting across multiple geographies (South Africa, wider Africa, and the UK), ensuring financial accuracy, statutory compliance, and operational efficiency.

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional with a passion for payroll, sharp analytical capabilities, and a strong understanding of payroll systems and legislation.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the full payroll process including general ledger management, payroll data verification, and processing for RSA, other African countries, and the UK.
• Ensure compliance with relevant payroll and tax legislation across jurisdictions.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and produce required reports for internal stakeholders and statutory bodies.
• Reconcile payroll accounts and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Partner with the Employee Benefits team to maintain up-to-date employee payroll data.
• Support internal and external audits relating to payroll and employee benefits.
• Continuously improve payroll processes for efficiency and accuracy.
• Provide additional support to the finance and accounting teams as needed.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelors degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum 4 years'' relevant experience:
• 3+ years in accounting with a focus on payroll and accounts payable.
• 2+ years of team leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of South African payroll and tax laws; exposure to other African countries and the UK is advantageous.
• Expertise in payroll systems (Oracle preferred) and Microsoft Excel.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing accurate and detailed financial reports.
• Proven ability to manage and mentor a high-performing team.
• Experience with maintaining dividend statements and cross-border budgeting / forecasting.

Core Competencies

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced setting.
• Discreet and trustworthy with sensitive information.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Independent worker with proactive mindset and team spirit.
• Highly adaptable, reliable, and resilient.

If you\'re a payroll professional looking to make an impact within a respected HR function, this is your chance to join a progressive team in a key strategic role.