Payroll Specialist

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the review, governance, and compliance oversight of payrolls across multiple African countries using Sage 300 People. This role provides assurance over payroll accuracy, statutory compliance, and system integrity, while performing ongoing system maintenance and supporting regional payroll standardization and control frameworks. Payroll Review and Oversight: Review monthly payroll outputs for multiple African countries processed in Sage 300 People. Perform detailed validation and reasonability checks on payroll calculations, variances, and exceptions. Ensure payrolls comply with approved inputs, internal policies, and country-specific legislation. Review payroll changes (new hires, terminations, salary adjustments, allowances, deductions). Provide payroll approval sign-off or recommendations prior to final submission and payment. African Payroll Legislation and Compliance: Liaise with in-country HR teams and tax advisors to ensure legislative accuracy. Maintain expert knowledge of payroll legislation across African jurisdictions, including but not limited to: South Africa Namibia Botswana Tanzania Eswatini Zambia Mozambique Validate compliance with country-specific requirements relating to: Personal income tax. Social security and statutory contributions. Pension, provident, gratuity, and statutory benefits. Employment and labour legislation. Sage 300 People System Maintenance and Administration: Investigate and resolve system-related payroll discrepancies. Maintain payroll documentation including SOPs, configuration guides, and control matrices. Coordinate with Sage support, implementation partners, and internal IT teams. Perform ongoing system maintenance to ensure payroll accuracy and legislative compliance. Configure, maintain, and review: Earnings, deductions, benefits, and tax rules. Country-specific statutory configurations and calculations. Payroll calendars, pay frequencies, and cut-off controls. Manage system access, roles, and security in line with governance requirements. Perform system testing and validation for: Legislative updates. Version upgrades and patches. Configuration or structural changes. Statutory Reporting and Audit Review: Review statutory submissions and reports prepared for African tax and statutory authorities on a monthly basis. Validate year-end reporting and employee tax documentation prior to submission. Support internal and external payroll audits by reviewing system data, reconciliations, and audit evidence. Payroll Reconciliations and Reporting: Review payroll reconciliations between payroll outputs and general ledger postings. Validate payroll journals across multiple entities and currencies. Review standard and ad-hoc payroll reports for completeness and accuracy. Provide payroll data and insights to support financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting. Stakeholder Support and Advisory: Act as a payroll subject-matter expert to HR, Finance, and management. Provide guidance on complex payroll, legislative, and system-related matters. Support resolution of escalated payroll queries and disputes. Ensure confidentiality and ethical handling of payroll and employee data. Governance, Risk and Continuous Improvement: Maintain strong payroll governance, controls, and audit trails within Sage 300 People. Ensure compliance with internal policies, segregation of duties, and data protection standards. Identify control gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities within payroll processes. Contribute to regional payroll standardization and shared services initiative. Requirements Qualifications/Experience: Diploma or Degree in Payroll, Human Resources, Finance, or a related field. Payroll certification (SAIPA, SAPA, CIPP, or equivalent) – advantageous. 5-10 years’ payroll experience, including multi-country African payroll review or oversight exposure. Strong hands-on experience with Sage 300 People, including system configuration and maintenance. Experience in a regional, shared services, or governance-focused payroll environment. Key Competencies: Sage 300 People (review, configuration, controls, reporting, system maintenance). Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for payroll analysis and reconciliations. Understanding of multi-currency payroll environments. Payroll audits, statutory review, and financial controls. High attention to detail and strong control mindset. Strong analytical and risk-based review skills. Ability to interpret and apply multi-country legislation. Professional communication and stakeholder advisory skills. High ethical standards and confidentiality.