Payroll Accountant

Obrien Recruitment; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

Obrien Recruitment seeks a detail-oriented Payroll Accountant to join its Finance division in Cape Town Waterfront. You will ensure accurate payroll accounting, reconcile payroll data, and support statutory compliance across weekly, fleet, and monthly cycles.

Responsibilities include payroll journals, GL entries, EMP201/EMP501, and third-party payments. Strong Excel skills and 3–5 years’ experience are essential.

Qualifications

• BCom in Finance or currently studying towards one.
• 3–5 years of payroll or accounting experience.
• Strong payroll reconciliation experience and PAYE/UIF/SDL knowledge.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• High attention to detail and strong numerical skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Generate payroll journals for weekly, fleet and monthly payroll cycles.
• Prepare payroll-related general ledger entries.
• Reconcile salaries and wages and payroll liabilities.
• Prepare EMP201 returns and assist EMP501 reconciliations.
• Reconcile and manage payments to third-party providers.
• Provide audit support and maintain payroll governance records.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Numerical reasoning

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Confidentiality

Payroll reconciliation

Education

BCom in Finance (or current study)

Tools

SAGE300

Job description

Location: Cape Town Waterfront

Department: Finance
Reports to: Payroll Compliance & Tax Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Overview

A well-established organisation is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Payroll Accountant to join its Finance division.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the accurate accounting, reconciliation and financial control of payroll transactions across weekly, monthly and fleet payrolls.
The role will ensure the integrity of payroll-related financial information, support statutory compliance, manage third-party payments and maintain alignment between payroll processing and financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Accounting & Journal Management

• Generate payroll journals for weekly, fleet and monthly payroll cycles.
• Prepare payroll-related general ledger entries.
• Analyse salaries, wages, bonuses and deductions for accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure all payroll entries are correctly reflected in the general ledger.
• Maintain accurate supporting documentation.

Payroll Reconciliations & Financial Control

• Reconcile salaries and wages.
• Reconcile employee-related payroll liabilities.
• Reconcile third-party payroll accounts.
• Ensure all payroll accounts balance to the general ledger.
• Investigate and resolve reconciling items before the next payroll run.
• Maintain complete reconciliation records.

Statutory Compliance & Tax

• Prepare and submit EMP201 returns.
• Assist with bi-annual and annual EMP501 reconciliations.
• Ensure accurate calculation and accounting for PAYE, UIF and SDL.
• Support compliance with applicable payroll legislation and regulations.

Third-Party Payments

• Reconcile and manage payments to:
  • Medical aids
  • Pension and provident funds
  • Garnishees
  • Other payroll-related service providers
• Ensure payroll liabilities are paid accurately and on time.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies with third parties.

Variance Analysis & Reporting

• Analyse payroll variances between periods.
• Investigate significant payroll cost movements.
• Report discrepancies, risks and irregularities.
• Provide useful payroll insights to support decision-making.

Collaboration & Process Improvement

• Work closely with payroll administrators and finance teams.
• Resolve payroll accounting issues.
• Support system enhancements and process improvements.
• Assist with strengthening payroll controls.
• Contribute to payroll accounting best practices.

Audit & Governance

• Prepare payroll reconciliations for audit purposes.
• Respond to internal and external audit queries.
• Assist with corrective actions arising from audit findings.
• Ensure compliance with governance standards and internal policies.
• BCom Degree in Finance or currently studying towards one.
• 3-5 years' relevant payroll / accounting experience.
• Good understanding of employee tax, benefits and statutory deductions.
• Strong payroll reconciliation experience.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong numerical reasoning ability.
• High attention to detail.
• Excellent problem-solving ability.
• High level of confidentiality.

Advantageous

• SAGE300 experience.
• Payroll accounting experience within a large or complex payroll environment.
• Experience with multiple payroll cycles.
• EMP201 and EMP501 experience.
• Advanced teamwork and collaboration.
• Strong time management.
• Strong analytical problem solving.
• Excellent numerical ability.
• High degree of confidentiality.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Accurate and methodical.

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