Junior Payroll Accountant - Hands-on GL & Reconciliations

O'Brien Recruitment; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

O'Brien Recruitment is seeking a hands-on Payroll Accountant to manage payroll journals, GL entries, and reconciliations across weekly, monthly and fleet payrolls in a structured finance environment.

Ideal candidates have 2–4 years’ payroll experience, strong Excel skills, and familiarity with EMP201/EMP501 and PAYE/UIF/SDL. This role focuses on accuracy, confidentiality, and timely month-end processing.

Qualifications

• BCom in Finance / Accounting or currently studying towards a relevant finance qualification.
• Approximately 2–4 years’ payroll accounting, payroll finance or payroll reconciliation experience.
• Hands-on experience preparing payroll journals and General Ledger entries.
• Practical experience with payroll and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Working knowledge of PAYE, UIF and SDL.
• Exposure to EMP201 and EMP501 reconciliations.
• Experience reconciling payroll-related third-party payments.
• Strong Excel skills.
• Good numerical ability and attention to detail.
• Able to investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Confidential payroll and employee information handling.
• Ability to meet payroll month-end deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Prepare payroll journals for weekly, monthly and fleet payrolls.
• Process payroll-related General Ledger entries.
• Check salaries, wages, bonuses and deductions for accuracy.
• Ensure payroll transactions are reflected in the General Ledger.
• Identify and assist with correcting payroll posting discrepancies.
• Maintain supporting documentation for payroll journals and adjustments.
• Prepare payroll-related General Ledger reconciliations.
• Reconcile payroll control and balance sheet accounts.
• Investigate reconciling items and follow up on differences.
• Assist with resolving payroll accounting discrepancies.
• Ensure payroll accounts remain reconciled and supported.
• Assist with EMP201 and EMP501 reconciliations.
• Reconcile PAYE, UIF and SDL amounts.
• Ensure payroll information is maintained for statutory reporting purposes.
• Prepare and reconcile third-party payments and benefits such as medical aid, pension, and other deductions.
• Review payroll reports to identify discrepancies and investigate variances.
• Support audit queries and maintain payroll accounting records.
• Assist with ad hoc payroll accounting requirements.

Skills

Payroll accounting

Payroll reconciliations

General Ledger reconciliations

Payroll journals

Statutory payroll knowledge

Third-party payment reconciliations

Advanced Excel

Numerical accuracy

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Deadline management

Confidentiality

Teamwork and communication

Education

BCom in Finance / Accounting

Currently studying towards finance qualification

Tools

Sage 300 / Sage 300 People

Job description

O'Brien Recruitment is seeking a hands-on Payroll Accountant to manage payroll journals, GL entries, and reconciliations across weekly, monthly and fleet payrolls in a structured finance environment.

Ideal candidates have 2–4 years’ payroll experience, strong Excel skills, and familiarity with EMP201/EMP501 and PAYE/UIF/SDL. This role focuses on accuracy, confidentiality, and timely month-end processing.