Payroll Specialist

Introduction

Payroll Manager

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager with strong technical payroll expertise and hands-on experience in QuickBooks and Sage. This role requires a detail-driven professional who can oversee end-to-end payroll operations, manage payroll system mapping, and ensure seamless integration between payroll and accounting systems. The ideal candidate is confident in handling complex payroll environments, system implementations, reconciliations, and payroll compliance across multiple entities or clients.

Duties & Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage full-cycle payroll processing across the organisation or multiple client entities.
• Lead payroll account mapping between payroll systems and the general ledger.
• Configure, maintain, and optimise payroll structures within QuickBooks and Sage.
• Manage payroll system implementations, migrations, and data integrity during transitions.
• Ensure accurate payroll tax calculations, deductions, benefits, and statutory compliance.
• Review and approve payroll runs, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Perform detailed payroll reconciliations and resolve variances between payroll and accounting records.
• Maintain payroll controls, policies, and procedures to ensure audit readiness.
• Manage payroll reporting including month-end, year-end, and statutory submissions.
• Handle payroll audits, queries, and escalations from internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with HR and Finance teams to ensure accurate employee data and financial reporting.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, automation, and system efficiency.
• Train and support payroll staff on systems, processes, and best practices.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 5–8+ years of payroll experience, including at least 2–3 years in a managerial role.
• Extensive hands-on experience with QuickBooks Payroll and Sage Payroll.
• Strong expertise in payroll mapping, chart of accounts alignment, and system integration.
• Proven experience managing payroll implementations or system conversions.
• Solid understanding of payroll tax legislation and compliance requirements.
• Strong reconciliation skills across payroll, benefits, and general ledger accounts.
• Advanced Excel skills (PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis).
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• High attention to detail with strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.

Preferred Experience

• Multi-entity, multi-currency, or high-volume payroll environments.
• Payroll outsourcing, EOR, or shared services experience.
• Accounting or payroll certification (advantageous).
• Experience working in fast-paced or growth-focused organisations.