Payroll Accountant

Accredited Resource Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm in Johannesburg is seeking a Payroll Manager to oversee the payroll function for over 40 companies. This role requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, with at least 10 years of payroll management experience. Key responsibilities include compliance oversight, payroll processing, and staff management. The position offers a competitive salary with benefits such as medical aid and contract options. The ideal candidate has strong leadership and communication skills, with advanced proficiency in payroll systems and Excel.

Benefits

Medical Aid

Provident Fund

Group Life Cover

Travel reimbursement

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' full-function payroll experience, including management or supervisory experience.
• Strong understanding of payroll legislation, tax requirements, and compliance obligations.
• Proven ability to function effectively in fast-paced, high-demand environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage end-to-end payroll processing for employees across 40+ entities.
• Ensure full compliance with all statutory obligations.
• Drive continuous improvement in payroll systems and procedures.

Skills

Payroll management

Attention to detail

Leadership skills

Compliance knowledge

Advanced Excel skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration

Tools

Sage

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Legal Specialist Recruiter at Accredited Resource Consulting Services

Payroll Manager

Role Overview

The Payroll Manager is responsible for managing the complete payroll function for a large, high-volume environment. This role oversees payroll for over employees across more than 40 companies, requiring exceptional accuracy, strong leadership capability, and the ability to operate in a high-pressure, demanding environment.

The role includes full responsibility for compliance, reporting, reconciliations, and payroll governance.

Total Cost to Company: Up to R80 per month, OR Gross Salary: Up to R63 per month (depending on structure)

Company Cellphone & Contract: Included; however, 15% of the contract price is deducted monthly as per company policy. The employee may opt out of receiving the company cellphone and contract.

Medical Aid: Discovery Medical Aid (employer benefits included). Provident Fund & Group Life Cover: Included.

Travel: Access to a pool vehicle or travel reimbursement for branch visits.

Working Hours: Monday–Friday on-site only; flexible start/end times permitted (9 hours per day), Fridays until 16:00.

Start Date: January

Purpose of the Role

• Lead, manage, and ensure the accurate and timely processing of payroll for high employee volumes.
• Maintain compliance with all labour, tax, and payroll legislation.
• Oversee payroll audits, reconciliations, and financial integrations.
• Strengthen payroll controls, reporting structures, and service delivery standards.
• Provide strategic payroll leadership and guidance to the payroll team.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years' full-function payroll experience, including management or supervisory experience.
• Proven ability to function effectively in fast‑paced, high‑demand, high‑pressure environments.
• Exceptional attention to detail, extreme accuracy, and high numerical literacy.
• Strong understanding of payroll legislation, tax requirements, and compliance obligations.
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas, reconciliations).
• Proficiency with payroll systems (e.g., Sage) plus exposure to financial and HRIS systems.
• Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to support and guide a diverse payroll team.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Willingness to travel to branches when required.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage end-to-end payroll processing for employees across 40+ entities.
• Ensure accurate loading, updating, and maintaining of employee details, earnings structures, deductions, and benefits.
• Manage salary, wage, overtime, and allowance calculations with high precision.
• Ensure full compliance with all statutory obligations (taxes, UIF, SDL, annual and bi-annual submissions).
• Prepare payroll journals, general ledger reconciliations, and variance reports.
• Drive continuous improvement in payroll systems, procedures, and internal controls.
• Support internal and external audits by providing documentation and process explanations.
• Lead and develop payroll staff, ensuring high-performance standards and continuous skill development.
• Manage statutory registrations and setup of new entities.
• Monitor leave, absenteeism statistics, and ensure accurate ESS utilisation.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies and employee queries efficiently and professionally.
• Oversee payroll reporting including monthly expenditure, compliance reports, and workforce metrics.
• Manage system integrations such as HRIS, biometrics/clocking systems, and financial platforms.
• Promote innovation, automation, and technology-driven payroll enhancements.

Systems Knowledge (Advantageous)

• Sage
• Acumatica
• Biometric/Clocking systems
• ESS platforms
• Online banking systems
• Microsoft Office Suite (Advanced)

Senior/Employment Details

• Seniority Level: Mid‑Senior level
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Job Function: Finance