Payroll & Bookkeeping Administrator

Red Ember Recruitment is seeking an experienced Payroll Bookkeeper to join our client’s Finance team in Tzaneen, Limpopo.

This role is ideal for someone who has strong end-to-end payroll experience combined with bookkeeping and finance responsibilities and is comfortable working across payroll processing, statutory compliance, reconciliations and general accounting.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll

• Process monthly, weekly and/or bi-weekly payroll accurately and within deadlines.
  
• Process salaries, wages, overtime, bonuses, allowances, deductions and leave.
  
• Capture new employees, terminations, salary adjustments and leave payouts.
  
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records and leave balances.
  
• Process statutory deductions including PAYE, UIF and SDL, as well as pension/provident funds, medical aid, garnishees and other deductions.
  
• Prepare and reconcile EMP201 and EMP501 submissions.
  
• Prepare IRP5s and other statutory payroll reports.
  
• Prepare payroll payment files and verify banking details.
  
• Reconcile third-party payments and payroll-related accounts.
  
• Resolve employee payroll queries and discrepancies.
  
• Maintain confidentiality of employee payroll and personal information.
  

Bookkeeping & Finance

• Capture day-to-day financial transactions.
  
• Process sales, purchases, receipts and payments.
  
• Maintain accurate general ledger entries.
  
• Perform bank, cash and credit card reconciliations.
  
• Process supplier invoices and employee expense claims.
  
• Assist with supplier and customer reconciliations.
  
• Prepare payment schedules and assist with debtor follow-ups.
  
• Assist with month-end and year-end close processes.
  
• Prepare basic accounting schedules, including accruals, prepayments and fixed assets.
  
• Assist with trial balances, expense summaries, account analyses and financial reporting.
  
• Support budgeting and forecasting, including payroll-related budgets.
  
• Assist with salary increase and bonus calculations.
  

Compliance & Audit

• Ensure payroll and financial transactions comply with company policies and applicable legislation.
  
• Assist with VAT and other tax-related documentation.
  
• Maintain accurate records and audit trails.
  
• Assist with internal and external audits.
  
• Provide payroll and financial documentation to auditors.
  
• Identify and report discrepancies or potential errors.
  

Systems & Administration

• Maintain accurate information across payroll, accounting and ERP systems.
  
• Assist with payroll and accounting system updates and testing.
  
• Support process improvements and system implementations.
  
• Maintain organised electronic and physical financial records.
  
• Liaise with HR and Finance regarding payroll and accounting matters.
  
• Provide general Finance and payroll administration as required.
  

Requirements

• Grade 12 / Matric required.
  
• Relevant qualifications in Accounting, Finance, Payroll, Bookkeeping or a related field would be advantageous.
  
• Payroll or accounting certification would be advantageous.
  

Experience

• Previous experience in a payroll and bookkeeping/finance administration role.
  
• Practical experience processing payroll from start to finish.
  
• Experience with statutory payroll requirements and reconciliations.
  
• Experience with bookkeeping and general ledger transactions.
  
• Experience with accounts payable and accounts receivable would be advantageous.
  
• Experience working with confidential employee and financial information.
  
• Experience assisting with month-end processes and audits.