Payroll Administrator – Outsourced Payroll (Accounting Firm)

About the role

The Payroll Administrator will manage end‑to‑end payroll processing for multiple client accounts within an outsourced environment. Reporting to the payroll team lead, you will ensure compliance with South African legislation while delivering a high level of client service.

Key responsibilities

• Process monthly, bi‑weekly and weekly payrolls for diverse clients, capturing new hires, terminations, leave, overtime and allowances.
• Calculate remuneration, PAYE, UIF, SDL and other statutory deductions accurately.
• Generate payslips, payroll reports and submit statutory returns (EMP201, EMP501, etc.) to SARS.
• Act as the primary payroll contact for assigned clients, handling queries and flagging compliance risks.
• Support client onboarding, data validation and system setup for new payroll engagements.
• Collaborate with internal tax, HR and accounting teams on reconciliations, audits and year‑end processes.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with POPIA and internal data‑protection policies.

Required profile

• Diploma or certificate in Payroll Administration, Accounting or related field (advantageous).
• 2–4 years of full‑cycle payroll experience, preferably in an outsourced setting.
• Familiarity with South African payroll legislation (BCEA, PAYE, UIF, SDL, COIDA).

Required skills

• SimplePay or comparable payroll software.
• SARS eFiling, uFiling and EasyFile for statutory submissions.
• Advanced MS Excel proficiency.
• Experience with cloud‑based payroll systems and digital document‑management platforms.