Payroll Accountant

About the position

Are you ready to bring your payroll and financial expertise to a mission-driven national organisation making a lasting difference in local communities across South Africa? We are seeking a Payroll Accountant to help shape the future of public sector service delivery through efficient, accurate, and compliant payroll operations.

This is your opportunity to join a respected national institution with a mandate to support and strengthen the capabilities of local government. With a footprint that spans every municipality in the country, this organization plays a pivotal role in governance reform, financial accountability, and sustainable development and your skills can help drive that mission forward.

Your Role
Reporting to the Senior Manager: Financial Control and Strategic Support, you will take charge of end-to-end payroll operations.
You'll ensure that every employee's salary, benefits and deductions are processed on time and correctly.
Your work will involve regular reconciliations of payroll accounts and proactive improvements to our payroll system. This is a strategic position, requiring coordination with finance, HR and audit teams to maintain strong internal controls and adherence to regulations.
Lead strategic payroll planning and implement process improvements for efficiency.
Process employee salaries, benefits and deductions accurately and on schedule using our ERP system.
Prepare monthly payroll reconciliations and detailed payroll reports for review.
Oversee statutory compliance with PFMA, tax, labour and other payroll-related legislation.
Coordinate payroll audits and implement recommendations to strengthen controls.
Supervise and mentor the payroll team, ensuring high standards of accuracy and professionalism.
Identify and drive continuous enhancements to payroll systems and processes.

About You
We seek a methodical, proactive and detail-oriented professional who values integrity and innovation. You hold a BCom (Accounting) or BCompt degree (Honours or postgraduate finance qualifications are a plus) and bring at least 3 years of hands-on experience in payroll and benefits administration. Experience in a public sector or similarly regulated environment is highly desirable.
Education: BCom (Accounting) or BCompt degree (Honours/Master's preferred)
Experience: Minimum 3 years in payroll/benefits, ideally in the public sector or a regulated environment
Systems: Proficiency with ERP/payroll systems (SAP experience is a strong advantage)
Regulatory Knowledge: Sound understanding of PFMA, IFRS/GAAP, and payroll legislation (tax, labour laws, UIF, etc.)
Technical Skills: Strong grasp of accounting principles, reconciliations, internal controls and audit processes
Project Skills: Familiarity with project management principles to drive system upgrades and improvements
Leadership & Traits: Excellent leadership and analytical abilities; methodical, detail-oriented, proactive, innovative and of high integrity

This is an exciting opportunity to advance your career and make a real impact in a regulated, high-profile environment.

How to Apply
If you are ready to take the next step in your payroll career and meet the above requirements, we want to hear from you! Apply today to become an integral part of the company's finance team.

Don't miss this opportunity to join a dynamic organisation dedicated to excellence in local government finance.

Desired Skills:

• Payroll
• IFRS
• GAAP
• Local government
• Financial Reporting
• Labour Law
• Labour legislation (BCEA)

Desired Work Experience:

• 5 to 10 years Municipality & Local Gorvernment
• 5 to 10 years Payroll & Wages

Desired Qualification Level:

• Degree