Payroll Specialist

Tyron Consultancy; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy in Cape Town is seeking a meticulous Payroll Specialist to manage the full payroll process for a large team. The role requires expertise in South African payroll legislation and the ability to work collaboratively with multiple departments. Candidates should possess significant payroll experience, particularly in a retail environment, and demonstrate strong leadership and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• 5+ years payroll experience, 2+ years in a leadership role.
• SAP and accounting knowledge advantageous.
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end payroll process and compliance.
• Support internal and external audits and maintain payroll controls.
• Supervise the payroll team and coordinate monthly payroll processing.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Strong computer literacy

Leadership

Education

Relevant qualification

Tools

SAP Payroll

Excel

Eco-time system

Job description

Payroll Specialist required in Observatory, Cape Town.

Are you a skilled Payroll Specialist with experience managing the full payroll process for a large organisation of over 1,000 employees?

This role requires someone who is meticulous, highly organized, and experienced in South African payroll legislation and systems. Experience in the retail sector will be a strong advantage.

You will be responsible for the end-to-end payroll process, including statutory compliance, reconciliations, audit support, and close collaboration with the Human Capital and Finance teams.

Requirements:

• Completed relevant qualification and 5+ years Payroll experience (of which at least 2 years should be in a people leader role) in a medium-large organization.
• SAP payroll experience highly advantageous, accounting knowledge is beneficial.
• Ability to work analytically, communicate effectively in English, both written and oral.
• Attention to detail and ability to work at speed but with accuracy.
• Understand and manage risk with the right sensitivity.
• Utmost confidentiality and integrity with a high degree of maturity and professionalism.
• Good administration and organisation skills.
• Ability to monitor outstanding items to ensure closure.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently and proactively whilst leading a team.
• Strong computer literacy skills – with advanced Excel.
• Ability to work under pressure in an ever-changing, demanding environment.
• Customer-oriented, approachable, and strong interpersonal skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain payroll compliance and governance by maintaining payroll controls.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Assist in audit operations and implement audit recommendations.
• Manage the end-to-end payroll function including setting payroll timelines with key stakeholders.
• Supervise and coordinate work activities, workload, and responsibilities within the payroll team.
• Manage monthly payroll processing for both back office and retail employees on SAP using payroll checklists.
• Process retail hours and overtime from the Eco-time system (time and attendance system).
• Run time evaluation for full-time and part-time payrolls.
• Create the Bank payment file and encrypt the file.
• Support and deliver global payroll-related projects.
• Maintain employee personal files and data in SAP.
• Generate monthly payroll variance reports during payroll review.
• Reconcile payrolls against supporting documentation.
• Create monthly reports for WCA, GL, staff loans, and leave provisions.
• Handle monthly submissions to the DoL – UIF declarations.
• Manage monthly EMP201 submissions to SARS, including mid-year and year-end tax submissions.
• Reconcile third-party payments and manage reviews.
• Prepare monthly third-party payment summaries.
• Complete quarterly statistics submissions.
• Handle annual submissions for earnings (Workman’s compensation) and acquire LOGS (letter of good standing).
• Generate EE reports.
• Prepare adhoc payroll reports as needed.
• Manage payroll system changes in SAP test and production environments.