Payroll Administrator

Zutari; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 246,000 - 357,000; Full time

Job summary

Zutari in South Africa seeks an experienced Payroll Administrator to manage end-to-end payroll, master data, and statutory deductions across jurisdictions. You will ensure timely monthly payroll delivery and accurate reporting while maintaining confidentiality of employee data.

The role requires 2+ years’ payroll experience, a National Diploma in Finance or related qualification, and strong Excel skills. You will collaborate with internal stakeholders and external providers, supporting

Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years’ payroll administration experience.
• National Diploma in Finance or a related qualification.
• Experience with payroll systems and HRIS platforms.
• Working knowledge of payroll legislation, statutory deductions, and payroll controls.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills.
• Experience with reconciliations and payroll reporting.

Responsibilities

• Accurately prepare and process end-to-end payroll inputs, including new hires, terminations, salary changes, allowances, overtime, leave adjustments, deductions, garnishees, and benefits.
• Review and validate payroll inputs for completeness, accuracy and authorisation prior to processing.
• Execute payroll within defined payroll calendars and SLAs across multiple jurisdictions.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external payroll providers for monthly payroll delivery.
• Maintain accurate payroll master data and reconcile inputs against source documents.
• Identify discrepancies, investigate root causes and implement timely corrective actions.
• Administer payroll-related statutory deductions and third-party payments; prepare remittance schedules.
• Provide payroll support to employees and managers; explain payslip components.
• Support year-end payroll processes and distribution of tax and payroll reports.
• Perform payroll reconciliations and balance with general ledger; ensure audit readiness.

Skills

Payroll processing

Payroll systems/HRIS

Excel skills

Communication skills

Numerical accuracy

Reconciliations

Education

National Diploma in Finance or related qualification

Tools

Payroll software

HRIS

Job description

Description

Zutari: Co-creating an engineered impact.

Zutari is a well-established, management-owned engineering firm with almost 90 years' experience. As human-centred engineering consultants and advisors, we are trusted by our clients, business partners, communities and other stakeholders across Africa.

We co-create engineering solutions that have a positive impact and improve people's lives. Zutari values inclusion and recognises the importance of a diverse, talented workforce, believing that people need other people to succeed.

What kind of talent do we pursue?

We employ people with the right attitude and a positive mindset, who are motivated by doing the right thing, getting things done and share a sense of urgency. People who have an impact in our teams and broader community. People who think differently and connect with those around them to co-create new opportunities and leave a meaningful legacy.

Role Responsibilities

Payroll Processing Administration:

• Accurately prepare and process end-to-end payroll inputs, including new hires, terminations, salary changes, allowances, overtime, leave adjustments, deductions, garnishees, and benefits.
• Review and validate all payroll inputs for completeness, accuracy, and appropriate authorisation prior to processing.
• Execute payroll within defined payroll calendars, ensuring adherence to cut-off dates and service level agreements across multiple jurisdictions.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external payroll providers to ensure timely and accurate monthly payroll delivery.

Payroll Data Integrity:

• Maintain accurate payroll master data on payroll system.
• Reconcile payroll input against approved source documents and system records.
• Identify discrepancies, investigate root causes, and process corrective actions timeously.
• Ensure payroll records are complete, up to date, and securely maintained.

Statutory and Third-Party Administration

• Administer payroll-related statutory deductions and submissions, including tax, pension/provident fund, medical aid, UIF, or equivalent deductions as applicable.
• Prepare and validate schedules for statutory, benefit, and third-party payments, ensuring timely and accurate remittances.
• Support year-end payroll processes and distribution of tax and payroll-related reports.

Reconciliations and Controls

• Perform payroll reconciliations, including gross-to-net checks, variance analysis, leave-related input checks, and third-party balancing.
• Reconcile payroll reports to the general ledger and other finance records where required.
• Apply payroll controls to ensure compliance with internal audit and governance requirements.
• Escalate material discrepancies, control failures, or potential compliance breaches.

Employee and Management Support

• Provide responsive, professional payroll support to employees and managers within agreed service levels.
• Clearly explain payslip components, deductions, and payroll processes to enhance employee understanding.
• Support onboarding and offboarding processes from a payroll perspective, ensuring a seamless employee experience.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and integrity of employee payroll information at all times.

Reporting and Audit Support

• Prepare monthly, ad hoc, and statutory payroll reports.
• Maintain payroll supporting documentation.
• Support internal and external audits by providing required schedules, reconciliations, and records.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum 2+ years’ payroll administration experience
• National Diploma in Finance or a related qualification
• Experience with payroll systems and HRIS platforms
• Working knowledge of payroll legislation, statutory deductions, and payroll controls
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills
• Experience with reconciliations and payroll reporting

Skills

• Ms Office Proficiency: (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
• Communication and Customer Service: Communicates clearly and professionally when responding to payroll queries and supporting employees and managers.
• Payroll Processing: Applies practical knowledge of payroll cycles, inputs, deductions, leave adjustments, and terminations to support accurate payroll administration.
• Payroll Systems and HRIS Proficiency: Uses payroll systems, HR information systems, and spreadsheets effectively to capture, maintain, and report payroll data.
• Reconciliation and Payroll Controls: Performs payroll reconciliations and applies established controls to ensure compliance, accuracy, and audit readiness
• Numerical Accuracy: Works accurately with payroll calculations, deductions, and reconciliations to ensure reliable outputs.

We believe that a diverse workforce is key to our business success. We seek the best people for our jobs based on their skills, qualifications, and experience. We embrace the principle of equal opportunity in employment, and we work towards eliminating all forms of unlawful discrimination in our employment practices. In support of diversity and the equal opportunity principle, preference will be given to individuals from designated groups within South Africa.