Payroll Accountant

Salix Recruitment; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

Salix Recruitment in Johannesburg is seeking an experienced Payroll Accountant to join the finance team on a permanent hybrid basis. The role centers on payroll reconciliations, statutory submissions, month‑end processes and comprehensive financial reporting.

You will collaborate with HR, Payroll and Finance stakeholders, drive process improvements, and support budgeting and forecasting. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of payroll experience, strong Excel skills, SAP knowledge, and meticulous

Qualifications

• Matric (Grade 12) and a BCom Accounting degree are essential.
• Minimum 5 years’ payroll accounting experience; 2+ years in a large corporate/listed environment.
• Advanced Excel skills; SAP experience and SAPA payroll certification advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage payroll accounting and general ledger reconciliations.
• Process and reconcile payroll and third‑party payments.
• Prepare and submit SARS payroll‑related returns.
• Investigate and resolve payroll variances and reconciling items.
• Prepare month‑end journals, reconciliations and payroll reports.
• Assist with salary budgets, forecasting and actual vs budget analysis.
• Work closely with HR, Payroll and Finance stakeholders.
• Support audit requirements and ensure strong financial controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve and streamline payroll processes.

Skills

Payroll Accounting

Payroll Reconciliations

General Ledger Reconciliations

SARS & Statutory Compliance

Advanced Excel

Month-End Accounting

Financial Analysis

Budgeting & Forecasting

Stakeholder Management

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

Education

Matric (Grade 12)

BCom Accounting

Tools

SAP

Excel

Job description

PAYROLL ACCOUNTANT | JOHANNESBURG | Permanent | Hybrid

A well-established organisation is looking for an experienced Payroll Accountant to join their finance team in Johannesburg.

This is a hands-on role suited to a strong payroll accounting professional who is comfortable working across payroll reconciliations, statutory submissions, month-end processes and financial reporting.

Join a well-established organisation where your career can grow alongside a business that genuinely makes a difference. You’ll become part of a large and diverse corporate environment that places strong emphasis on its people, professional development and continuous improvement. With a competitive remuneration package, hybrid working, strong employee benefits and opportunities to broaden your experience across payroll accounting, finance, budgeting and reporting, this is an opportunity to build a long-term career while contributing to an organisation with a meaningful purpose.

If you’re ready for your next career move and believe you have what it takes, we’d love to hear from you.

Duties:

• Manage payroll accounting and general ledger reconciliations.
• Process and reconcile payroll and third-party payments.
• Prepare and submit SARS payroll-related returns.
• Investigate and resolve payroll variances and reconciling items.
• Prepare month-end journals, reconciliations and payroll reports.
• Assist with salary budgets, forecasting and actual vs budget analysis.
• Work closely with HR, Payroll and Finance stakeholders.
• Support audit requirements and ensure strong financial controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve and streamline payroll processes.

Job Experience & Skills Required:

Qualifications:

• Matric (Grade 12)
• BCom Accounting

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years' payroll accounting experience.
• At least 2 years' experience within a large corporate/listed environment.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• SAP experience will be advantageous.
• Payroll certification through SAPA will be advantageous.
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.

Skills & Competencies:

• Payroll Accounting
• Payroll Reconciliations
• General Ledger Reconciliations
• SARS & Statutory Compliance
• Advanced Excel
• Month-End Accounting
• Financial Analysis
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Stakeholder Management
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider the vacancy application unsuccessful. Your profile will be kept on our database for any other suitable roles / positions.