Payroll Manager

Career Minded; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1 000 000 - 1 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services firm in Sandton, Johannesburg is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager. The successful candidate will oversee payroll operations for over 4000 employees and ensure compliance with local laws and regulations. Key responsibilities include implementing payroll policies, collaborating with HR and Finance, and addressing complex employee inquiries. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least 10 years of experience in payroll processing are required. This role offers a competitive salary package and a structured work environment.

Benefits

Medical aid

Provident fund

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in end-to-end payroll processing.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting standards as they relate to payroll.
• In-depth knowledge of current payroll procedures, related laws, and tax regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage all payroll operations for over 4000 employees.
• Develop, implement, and maintain robust payroll policies and procedures.
• Prepare and submit all necessary tax filings on time.

Skills

Payroll processing

Financial reporting

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Customer service

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Sage 300

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Payroll Manager required in Sandton, Johannesburg.

My client in Sandton is looking for a Payroll Manager to take over from their current person who is looking to retire in 2026.

You will be responsible for the end-to-end management of our company’s payroll, ensuring all employees are compensated accurately and on time while maintaining strict compliance with all local labour and tax legislation.

This role requires a strong intersection of payroll expertise and financial acumen, including general ledger reconciliations, reporting, and supporting internal and external financial audits.

Salary: R1 000 000 – R1 300 000 million per annum including medical aid and provident fund.

Role Overview:

• Location: Sandton
• Staff Size: +4000 | +40 client companies
• Working hours: Mon-Fri. Work from the office (no hybrid), flexible working hours e.g., 7am – 4pm or 9am – 6pm as long as 9 hours per day is achieved. Fridays till 4pm.
• Reporting to: HR Director
• Reportees: Payroll Supervisor | Clocking and Payroll Administrators | 9+ reportees

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage all payroll operations for over 4000 employees.
• Develop, implement, and maintain robust payroll policies and procedures.
• Collaborate closely with the Finance and HR departments to ensure seamless data flow, alignment of pay cycles with accounting calendars, and accurate employee data across systems.
• Prepare and process payroll-related financial entries, general ledger (GL) files, and conduct comprehensive variance analyses.
• Prepare and submit all necessary tax filings on time / Bi-annual SARS submissions
• Address complex employee inquiries regarding payroll, benefits, and tax matters, providing excellent customer service.
• Lead, mentor, and coach a team of payroll specialists, fostering a culture of accuracy and efficiency.
• Salary costs loaded on Salesforce for approval prior to payments.

Key Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in end-to-end payroll processing.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting standards as they relate to payroll.
• In-depth knowledge of current payroll procedures, related laws, and tax regulations.
• Proficiency with payroll software (Sage 300) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills (formulas, pivot tables, reconciliation).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and mathematical skills with a high attention to detail.