About the position
Specialist: Payroll
Head Office: Gauteng
Closing date: 30 January 2026
Purpose of the Job
Reporting to the Payroll Manager, the successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll data, while delivering analytical insights and comprehensive reporting. This position is responsible for analyzing payroll information, identifying trends, and recommending enhancements to payroll administration processes, systems, and procedures. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, exceptional attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of payroll systems and data analysis methodologies. Additionally, the role will provide support for all payroll sites across the African region and contributing to systems enhancements and implementations.
Responsibilities:
Collect, analyze, and validate payroll data to ensure its accuracy and completeness, and that it is in compliance with all relevant regulations.
Identify trends and patterns in payroll data to proactively highlight areas for improvement, cost savings, or compliance enhancements.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including HR, Finance, and IT, to gather data requirements and streamline data flows.
Conduct regular reviews of payroll data, identify discrepancies or errors, and implement corrective actions.
Prepare and distribute payroll reports to stakeholders and ensuring timely and accurate delivery of information (e.g., EMP501 submissions, COID & BBBEE data support).
Perform data reconciliations between the payroll systems and other systems, investigating and resolving discrepancies.
Stay updated with payroll regulations, tax laws, and compliance requirements to ensure data accuracy and legal adherence.
Support payroll system implementations, upgrades, and enhancements by providing data analysis, suggesting best practices and testing expertise.
Assist with ad-hoc data requests and provide data-driven insights to support payroll-related decision-making.
Apply strong payroll knowledge and experience to assist the Payroll Manager with any task as required.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Data Analytics, or a related field.
Experience, Knowledge & Skills:
10+ years proven experience as a Payroll Analyst, Specialist, Supervisor, or similar role, with a strong focus on data analysis and systems.
In-depth knowledge of payroll processes, systems, and data management.
Proficiency in data analysis tools such as Microsoft Excel, SQL, or other data analysis software.
Familiarity with payroll and HR systems (e.g., SAP, SuccessFactors, or Workday) and their data structures.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret and present complex data clearly and meaningfully.
Knowledge of payroll regulations, tax laws, and compliance requirements, including experience with payrolls in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia.
Experience in report/dashboard development and data visualization techniques.
Experience with data reconciliation and data quality assurance processes.
Desired Skills:
- Payroll
- data analysis
- compliance
- implementation
- report
- tax returns
