Payroll Accountant

Payroll Accountant

Permanent • Westville

Overview

We are a Supply Chain and Sales & Merchandising partner adding value to your business through a fully integrated, temperature-controlled network in Southern Africa.

But we are also more than that. We are people serving people. While we boast the best in tech and infrastructure, our people are our greatest resource. With our skilled, curious, can-do people at the forefront, our assets become your assets, our service your solutions.

Vector's vehicle fleet includes a food industry first in 'multi-temperature' vehicles enabling the company to service business across frozen, chilled and ambient temperature zones on a single delivery.

Job Purpose

ThePayroll Accountant at Vector Logistics is responsible for ensuring the accurate, compliant, and timeous processing of payroll and payroll-related accounting activities across the business. The role supports a high-volume, operational workforce and acts as a key interface between Finance, HR, Operations, and external statutory bodies to ensure employees are paid correctly and all legislative obligations are met.

Key Responsibilities Payroll Processing & Compliance:

• Ensure full compliance with South African payroll legislation, including PAYE, UIF, SDL, COIDA, and BCEA requirements.
• Prepare, review, and submit statutory returns and reconciliations to SARS and other authorities.
• Manage payroll audits and provide supporting documentation to internal and external auditors.
• Ensure payroll controls, approvals, and governance standards are consistently applied.

Payroll Accounting & Financial Control:

• Reconcile payroll-related balance sheet accounts (salary control, statutory deductions, benefits).
• Prepare and post payroll journals to the general ledger in line with month-end timelines.
• Support Finance with payroll inputs for budgeting, forecasting, and cost analysis.
• Assist with year-end payroll processes, IRP5 submissions, and reconciliations.

Systems, Data & Continuous Improvement:

• Maintain accurate employee payroll data, including new hires, terminations, allowances, overtime, and deductions.
• Ensure data integrity between HR, time & attendance, and payroll systems.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and efficiencies.
• Support payroll system upgrades, testing, and process changes.

Stakeholder Support & Query Resolution:

• Respond to payroll-related queries from employees, line managers, and HR in a professional and timely manner.
• Partner with HR and Operations to resolve discrepancies relating to shifts, overtime, and allowances.
• Provide payroll insights and guidance to management to support decision-making.

Key Relationships Internal:

• Human Resources.
• Finance & Accounting Teams.
• Operations & Distribution Centre Management.
• Line Managers and Supervisors.
• Employees across Vector Logistics sites.
• Executive Management (as required).

External:

• South African Revenue Service (SARS).
• Department of Employment and Labour.
• Medical Aid, Pension & Provident Fund Administrators.
• Payroll and Time & Attendance System Vendors.
• External Auditors and Consultants.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required for the Job Qualifications and Experience

• Matric (Grade 12).
• Diploma or Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Payroll Management.
• 3-5 years' payroll accounting experience, preferably in logistics, FMCG, or a large operational workforce.
• Experience working with complex payroll structures (shifts, overtime, allowances).

Skills and Competencies

• Strong working knowledge of South African payroll legislation and statutory requirements.
• Solid payroll accounting, reconciliation, and reporting capability.
• High attention to detail and strong numerical accuracy.
• Experience working with payroll systems in a high-volume environment.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.

Vector Logistics supports the principles of Employment Equity and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Preference will be given to candidates from designated groups in line with our Employment Equity Plan.

If you have not heard from us within 3 to 4 weeks after submitting your application, please consider your application unsuccessful on this occasion. We truly appreciate your interest in joining the Vector team and encourage you to stay connected for future opportunities that may align with your skills and career journey.

We look forward to hearing from you!