Payroll Assistant

University of Fort Hare; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 50 000 - 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A nationally established group of companies is seeking a Payroll Assistant to manage payroll and HR administration. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, or a related field, with 1–2 years of experience in payroll and knowledge of payroll systems like SAGE VIP or PaySpace. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years experience in payroll is essential.
• Knowledge and experience in African country payroll administration.

Responsibilities

• Update salary list and manage payroll for new employees.
• Handle payroll-related queries and leave management.
• Assist with annual increase and bonus payments.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Ability to handle and prioritise multiple tasks

Excellent attention to detail

Proficiency in MS Excel

Education

Human Resources Management degree

Industrial Psychology degree

Financial or Commercial degree

Tools

SAGE VIP

PeopleSoft

PaySpace

Job description

My client, a nationally established group of companies, has an exciting opportunity for a Payroll Assistant to join their team! The successful candidate will have a degree in Human Resources Management / Industrial Psychology / Financial or Commercial. 1–2 years of working experience in payroll is essential.

Responsibilities

• Payroll
  • Update salary list, schedule and payroll for new employees, resignations on a monthly/weekly basis.
  • Assist with fortnightly/monthly payroll processes such as updating reports, checking and reconciling.
  • Assist with processing and facilitating annual increase and bonus payments.
  • Process other financial compensations or deductions (casuals, staff loans, commissions, etc.).
  • Handle payroll related queries (SARS queries, leave and salary administration queries, etc.).
  • Leave management.
  • SARS EMP501 bi‑annual and annual submissions.
  • Ensure compliance with statutory regulations.
  • Process workman’s compensation submissions and payments annually.
  • Maintain accurate payroll and employee records by ensuring all documents are filed time‑sensibly.
  • Pension fund, provident fund and medical insurance schedule administration.
  • Processing of maternity leave salaries and documentation for Department of Labour.
  • Quarterly STATSSA reporting.
  • COIDA registration, submissions, payments and compliance.
  • Remuneration and benefit reporting in meetings to management.
  • Assist external auditors with payroll audit queries, taking ownership of payroll accounting deliverables.
• HR Administration
  • Maintain records of employee data in both paper and the database and ensure all employment requirements are met.
  • Filing and scanning of employee documentation.
  • Ensuring that pension fund, provident fund and medical insurance documentation is up to date.
  • Assist with the on‑boarding process.
  • Ad‑hoc HR functions.

Requirements

• Human Resources Management degree / Industrial Psychology degree / Financial or Commercial degree will be advantageous.
• 1–2 years experience in payroll.
• Working knowledge of payroll systems (SAGE VIP, PeopleSoft, PaySpace, etc.).
• Knowledge and experience in African country payroll administration.

Skills

• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to handle and prioritise multiple tasks and meet all deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise extreme discretion.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently.
• Proficient in using MS Excel (V‑lookups, pivot tables and graphs).
• PaySpace knowledge will be advantageous.