Payroll Accountant - Hands-on, Early-Career Role

Obrien Recruitment; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Obrien Recruitment is seeking a hands-on Junior Payroll Accountant for a busy Finance team in Cape Town's Waterfront. The role supports accurate payroll accounting, journals, reconciliations and statutory payments for weekly, monthly and fleet payrolls.

The ideal candidate has 2–4 years of payroll accounting experience, is comfortable with General Ledger entries and payroll controls, and works well within a team. This is a mid-level, operational role with no leadership responsibilities.

Qualifications

• BCom in Finance / Accounting, or currently studying towards a relevant finance qualification.
• Approximately 2-4 years' relevant 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.
• Ability to work within payroll deadlines and handle confidential information.

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 reconciliations and supporting documents for audit purposes.
• Assist with payroll-related audit queries.
• Reconciling PAYE, UIF and SDL amounts.

Skills

Numerical ability

Attention to detail

Teamwork and communication

Confidentiality

Education

BCom in Finance / Accounting

Currently studying towards a finance qualification

Tools

Sage 300 / Sage 300 People

Job description

Obrien Recruitment is seeking a hands-on Junior Payroll Accountant for a busy Finance team in Cape Town's Waterfront. The role supports accurate payroll accounting, journals, reconciliations and statutory payments for weekly, monthly and fleet payrolls.

The ideal candidate has 2–4 years of payroll accounting experience, is comfortable with General Ledger entries and payroll controls, and works well within a team. This is a mid-level, operational role with no leadership responsibilities.