A Payroll Officer is responsible for managing the payroll process to ensure that employees are paid accurately and on time, while maintaining compliance with relevant laws and company policies.

Job Title: Payroll Officer

Reports to: Head of Hr department

Job Purpose:

The Payroll Officer is responsible for processing payroll accurately and efficiently, ensuring that all employees are compensated in accordance with their employment contracts and legal requirements. The role involves managing payroll records, calculating wages, ensuring tax compliance, and handling employee payroll inquiries.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Payroll Processing:

• Manage the entire payroll process for all employees, including calculating wages, deductions, bonuses, and other earnings.

• Ensure that payroll is processed accurately and on time, in accordance with company policies and local labor laws.

• Prepare and distribute pay slips.

2. Tax and Compliance:

• Calculate and withhold employee taxes, social security contributions, and other statutory deductions.

• Ensure compliance with tax regulations and submit necessary tax filings on time.

• Keep updated on changes in tax laws and ensure payroll systems are adjusted accordingly.

3. Employee Records:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date payroll records, including employee details, earnings, deductions, and tax information.

• Update payroll records for new hires, terminations, salary changes, and other adjustments.

• Ensure confidentiality and security of payroll information.

4. Reporting:

• Prepare payroll reports for management, including summaries of earnings, taxes, deductions, and other payroll-related data.

• Assist in the preparation of financial reports related to payroll expenses.

• Provide data and support for audits when required.

5. Leave and Benefits Management:

• Track and calculate leave entitlements (e.g., vacation, sick leave, etc.) and ensure that they are reflected accurately in payroll.

• Administer employee benefits that affect payroll, such as pensions, insurance, and other deductions.

6. Payroll Queries:

• Address and resolve employee payroll inquiries in a timely and professional manner.

• Investigate and resolve discrepancies in payroll data or payments.

7. System Management:

• Utilize payroll software to process payroll, maintain records, and generate reports.

• Work with IT and software vendors to ensure that the payroll system is functioning correctly and updated as needed.

8. Compliance and Audits:

• Ensure compliance with labor laws, company policies, and payroll tax obligations.

• Assist in internal and external audits related to payroll operations.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent work experience).

• Experience in payroll processing (typically 1-3 years).

• Strong knowledge of payroll procedures, tax regulations, and labor laws.

• Proficiency in payroll software (e.g., ADP, Sage, QuickBooks) and Microsoft Excel.

• High attention to detail and accuracy.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Desirable Qualities:

• Problem-solving skills and the ability to handle payroll discrepancies.

• Good communication skills to interact with employees and resolve issues.

• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

This job description may vary depending on the size of the organization and the complexity of its payroll systems