Payroll Officer

Job overview
Payroll officers calculate and arrange payment of staff salaries and wages.

What do people do in this occupation?
Payroll officers will handle most of the following duties:

• calculate pay, tax, staff loans, medical aid contributions and other staff salary deductions

• check the number of hours staff have worked and how many days off they've taken

• forward salaries and wages information to the country's relevant revenue authority which in Zimbabwe would be the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA)

• carry out payments of salaries to staff

• keep staff records up to date, and record changes to employees' details, such as residential addresses

• be familiar with the necessary labour legislation and ensure that the organisation remains compliant

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
It is essential for a payroll officer to be comfortable with figures.

In addition to this they need to possess:

• knowledge of basic accounting and payment systems
• knowledge of the tax system
• record-keeping skills
• analytical skills
• good communication skills.
• knowledge of labour legislation

What qualifications are needed?
There are no specific entry requirements to become a payroll officer, with many skills being learnt on the job.

Cash-handling experience, accounting work and administrative work all provide useful experience for payroll officers.