Payroll Compliance Manager at Kempston Recruitment

• Our client based in Cape Town has a Payroll Compliance Manager position available. The Payroll Compliance Manager to lead the company’s payroll department and oversee the end-to-end payroll operations of the company’s employees. The successful applicant will need to ensure accuracy and timely payment of remuneration, mentor payroll staff and enforce compliance with statutory regulations including SARS, UIF, PAYE and the BCEA. They will be responsible for designing and presenting remuneration policies and processes in line with legislation and the company’s requirements.

Job Duties: 

• Operational Leadership: Manage the entire payroll function, coordinating with HR, Finance, and department heads to meet strict payroll deadlines. 
• Team Development: Train, mentor, and supervise payroll administrators, managing performance/ discipline and capacity planning.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with HR, Finance, and executive leadership to align payroll strategies with broader business goals.
• Stakeholder Liaison: Act as the principal point of contact for internal/external auditors and statutory bodies for query resolution and audits. 
• Compliance & Governance: Ensure statutory compliance with local labour laws, tax filings (e.g. EMP201/501), and the oversight of benefit deductions such as medical aid and retirement funds.  Interpret complex statutory and tax legislation (e.g., BCEA, SARS, EMP201/501 requirements) and embed these rules into operational policy. 
• Benefit Integration: Manage the governance of employee benefits, including retirement funds, medical aid schemes, and third-party reconciliations. 
• Legislative Compliance: Internal Controls: Establish rigorous risk management systems, fraud controls, and audit-ready documentation to minimize business and financial risks.
• Policy Development & Governance: Draft, review, and update payroll policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and governance frameworks. 
• System Management: Own the configuration and optimization of the core payroll systems and integrated Time & Attendance platforms. Maintain and configure the payroll system (Currently ACCSYS Peopleware) to ensure system integrity, data security, and accurate variance reporting.
• Process Automation: Identify operational bottlenecks and drive technological improvements or system upgrades to increase efficiency.
• Auditing & Reporting: Reconcile payroll control accounts, prepare executive payroll analytics, and assist with internal and external audits. 
• Quality Assurance: Monitor approved payroll cut-off dates, absence management policies, and payroll adjustments to ensure accuracy.

Qualifications / Experience:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Business Management or similar. Advanced proficiency in modern payroll software and reporting tools is required. 
• Minimum 10 years’ senior payroll or finance roles.  
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in management of a payroll or finance team, with experience in the abovementioned responsibilities.  
• Working experience on ACCSYS Peopleware is advantageous. 
• Bilingual in English and Afrikaans is advantageous.