Payroll Officer

SUMMARY:
Payroll Officer | Insurance Industry | Pietermaritzburg

POSITION INFO:
We are seeking a meticulous and solutions-driven Payroll Officer to manage the full payroll function across various group entities. This role is essential to ensuring that employees are paid accurately, timeously, and in full compliance with statutory, tax, and company requirements. You will oversee payroll processing, statutory reporting, payroll reconciliations, employee benefits administration, payroll analytics, and system-driven efficiencies. The role also contributes to risk management, continuous improvement, and financial governance by supporting
HR, Finance, and senior management with accurate payroll insights and reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage start-to-end monthly payroll processing with complete accuracy.
• Maintain and update payroll data for new hires, terminations, changes, and remuneration adjustments.
• Reconcile payroll information with financial systems.
• Process statutory payments (PAYE, UIF, SDL) and ensure all third-party contributions reconcile.
• Prepare and submit statutory returns (EMP201, EMP501, UIF declarations, ROE).
• Administer pension, medical aid, risk benefits, and other deductions.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies and queries timeously.
• Maintain accurate and audit-ready payroll records.
• Support integration between payroll, HRIS, and finance systems.
• Implement process improvements and payroll automation initiatives.
• Safeguard employee and payroll information in line with POPIA.
• Contribute to payroll-related training, workshops, and employee support.
• Ensure payroll continuity through documented business continuity and disaster recovery procedures.

• Diploma or Degree in Human Resources, Accounting, or related field.
• Minimum 2 years’ payroll experience, including statutory compliance and reconciliation.
• Strong understanding of labour legislation, payroll tax, and statutory reporting.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Experience with payroll systems (SP300, ESS) and HRIS platforms is required.
• Experience in payroll analytics, automation, or integration projects advantageous.

• High accuracy, strong numerical ability, and exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict payroll deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and reconciliation skills.
• Professional, ethical, and confidential with sensitive information.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with HR, Finance, auditors, and benefit providers.
• Comfortable using AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot) for verification, analysis, and workflow optimisation.
• Proactive, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning.