Payroll Accountant

Description

Zutari is a multinational buildings, infrastructure engineering and advisory firm with over 90 years of experience across Africa and the Middle East. We partner with clients across the full infrastructure lifecycle, delivering digitally driven solutions that shape schools, stadiums, dams, bridges, and the systems that connect them.

We are enablers of progress, transforming ambition into impact and infrastructure into opportunity. Every role in Zutari contributes to building sustainable futures that extend far beyond the projects themselves.

We employ people with the right attitude and a positive mindset, who are motivated by doing the right thing, getting things done and sharing a sense of urgency. People who have an impact in our teams and broader community. People who think differently and connect with those around them to co‑create new opportunities and leave a meaningful legacy.

The main purpose of the Payroll Accountant role is to oversee payroll operations across multiple countries within Zutari. The focus will be on payroll tasks, processing of payroll‑related journals, preparation of payroll‑related accruals, provisions and reconciliations. The Payroll Accountant will support the Payroll Analyst in ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing and general ledger accounting. The role requires knowledge of accounting treatment of various transactions and reconciliations.

The role has direct impact on financial reporting accuracy, audit readiness, compliance, and the integrity of payroll‑related general ledger balances. Whilst this role does not have any direct reports it has a requirement to be able to operate independently and as such a high level of accountability is required.

• Prepare, review, and post payroll‑related journal entries accurately and within agreed reporting timelines.
• Ensure payroll costs, employer contributions, deductions, provisions, and liabilities are correctly allocated to the general ledger.
• Maintain the integrity of payroll‑related general ledger accounts through accurate classification, coding, and posting.
• Verify that payroll outputs are correctly translated into accounting entries and reflected in the financial records.

• Prepare and review reconciliations for all payroll‑related balance sheet accounts, including salaries control accounts, statutory liabilities, benefit deductions, payroll clearing accounts, leave provisions, bonus accruals, and other payroll‑related provisions.
• Investigate reconciling items, unusual balances, and aged items and ensure timely resolution.
• Substantiate payroll‑related balances with complete supporting schedules and audit‑ready documentation.
• Monitor reconciliation quality and escalate unresolved or material items.

• Coordinate payroll‑related month‑end close activities to ensure all payroll accounting entries are complete, accurate, and posted on time.
• Prepare payroll accruals, provisions, prepayments, and adjustment journals as required for monthly reporting.
• Support year‑end close activities by preparing final payroll accounting schedules, reconciliations, and supporting working papers.
• Ensure payroll‑related ledger balances are accurately reflected in financial reporting and year‑end audit submissions.

• Ensure accurate alignment between payroll system outputs, payroll reports, third‑party schedules, and the general ledger.

• Reconcile statutory deductions, benefit contributions, and third‑party payroll liabilities to supporting schedules and ledger balances.
• Ensure payroll‑related liability accounts are accurately recorded and cleared in line with payment cycles.
• Investigate differences between payroll reports, payment schedules, and ledger balances and resolve discrepancies.

• Prepare payroll‑related audit schedules, reconciliations, journals, and supporting documents for internal and external audit purposes.
• Maintain a clear and…