Payroll Specialist

Job Title Payroll Specialist

Advert Sage is a global company with a local heart. The market leader for cloud-based accounting, financials, enterprise management, people, and payroll software, we empower the world’s business heroes—from single-person startups to large enterprises. Our people are passionate and positive. We inspire our colleagues to serve business builders everywhere and champion their success. As a FTSE 100 company with 14,000 colleagues across 24 countries, we do business the right way, while giving back to our local communities through the Sage Foundation. Sage is passionate about building a culture where our colleagues feel they can bring their whole selves to work. Where people know they’ll be judged on their performance and behaviours - not their identity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on their race, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Job Description The Payroll Specialist is responsible for researching, processing and responding in a timely, accurate and comprehensive manner to moderate to complex (Tier 2) inquiries and transactions related to payroll policies, processes and programs. The Payroll Specialist will be expected to execute Payroll related service requests set by the COE or PBPs as well as answer escalated complex colleague queries on payroll matters such as tax, leave and national insurance or social security. This also includes responsibility for processing group changes as well as always ensuring compliance with Data Privacy and Data Protection Guidelines.

Key Responsibilities Key accountabilities and decision ownership:
• Provide specialist technical expertise on payroll processes and legislations in accordance with policies and guidelines; ensuring compliance with legal and fiscal regulations.
• Process group changes e.g. annual bonus schemes and salary increases as well as ensure compliance with Data Privacy and Data Protection Guidelines.
• Resolve complex queries which involve a detailed explanation of payroll related legislation, matters such as tax, leave and national insurance/social security to be answered by People Services Representatives including coaching and providing feedback and training to upskill this population.
• Execute Payroll related service requests set by the CoE, PBP team or Business.
• Work with Team Leader to create and update payroll specific knowledge articles and/or processes on as needed and quarterly basis.
• Coordinate with Team Leader by providing “just in time” information regarding any People related issues such as observed patterns and trends that may be symptomatic of a transactional inefficiency or colleague relations issue.
• Work to meet expected payroll service levels and business performance goals.
• Consistently support compliance and maintain the privacy and confidentiality of information, protecting the assets of the organization, acting with ethics and integrity, reporting non-compliance, and adhering to country/local laws and regulations, and policies and procedures.
• Participate in scheduled and ad hoc training in order to improve policy and process acumen.
• Perform special payroll projects and related duties, and any other duties as assigned; may provide guidance to less experienced colleagues. Skills, know-how and experience:
Must have:
• Considerable Payroll related experience
• Knowledge of country laws and statutory and legal requirements
• Ability to source relevant information on employee policies to be able to offer coaching and guidance to customers and colleagues
• Experience with basic Microsoft Office functionality (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Excellent time/project management and organizational skills
• Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally; excellent knowledge and use of the English language (grammar, punctuation, spelling, writing and editing)
• Strong customer service and problem-solving skills

Preferred:
• Relevant degree
• Knowledge of Sage 300 people or VIP Premier
• Ability to adapt quickly to understand the business nuances of a complex group
Technical / professional qualifications:
• Minimum 3 years in payroll administration
• Advanced Microsoft Suite Skills a mandatory
• SharePoint experience

Function People

Country South Africa

Office Location Johannesburg

Location Region Johannesburg