Payroll Specialist / Payroll Manager

About Abacus Resource Solutions

Abacus Resource Solutions provides bespoke finance, accounting, and operational support to startups and SMEs within the UK recruitment industry.

With over 45 years of combined leadership experience, we partner with recruitment businesses to help them scale through high-performing teams, efficient processes, and intelligent automation.

From our base in South Africa, we support UK and international recruitment businesses by providing the financial and operational infrastructure that allows them to focus on growth, client relationships, and placing great talent.

Our long-term partnerships are built on our core values: Integrity, Adaptability, Expertise, and Collaboration.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Payroll Specialist / Payroll Manager to join our growing finance team in Pretoria.

This is a dual-scope role covering the Pay & Bill function for our UK-based recruitment clients – processing contractor payrolls and client billing across multiple companies, predominantly on a weekly basis.

You will take ownership of the payroll and billing cycle end-to-end, from processing weekly payrolls and generating client invoices through to reconciliations, statutory compliance and reporting. For the right candidate, there is scope to grow into managing and developing the wider Pay & Bill team.

The role requires strong numerical accuracy, resilience, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, transactional environment where meeting strict weekly deadlines is critical. Prior UK pay and bill experience is advantageous but not essential – full training on UK payroll legislation and our systems will be provided.

Payroll & Billing Processing

• Process weekly (and where required, monthly) contractor payrolls across multiple companies and payroll systems
• Process starters, leavers, timesheets, expenses, advance payments and statutory adjustments (SSP, SMP and similar) accurately and on time
• Generate, verify and distribute client invoices, adjusting and re-billing where rates, costings or margins change
• Finalise payrolls and submit required statutory filings (HMRC, pensions, courts, Child Support Agency, etc.)

Systems, Reconciliations & Controls

• Import and validate Employee, Client and Placement data from Salesforce (or equivalent CRM) into the payroll system
• Prepare weekly and monthly margin reports and reconcile payroll/billing trackers to accounting software and nominal ledger data
• Carry out BACS/payment file checks and support banking activities prior to submission
• Identify risks and inefficiencies, and help design new controls and checks to strengthen accuracy

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as a key point of contact for payroll and billing queries from contractors, consultants and clients
• Manage relationships with Umbrella company vendors, including onboarding and compliance checks
• Liaise with Credit Control, accountants and internal finance teams to resolve costing and reconciliation queries
• Escalate complex or overdue payroll/billing issues to senior finance stakeholders when required

Compliance & Reporting

• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of UK payroll legislation, including PAYE, statutory payments, pensions/auto-enrolment and HMRC reporting requirements
• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee and client data in line with data protection requirements
• Produce regular reporting for senior finance leadership, including payroll accuracy, margin and reconciliation summaries
• Follow internal finance processes while identifying opportunities for improved efficiency

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in payroll administration, contractor payroll, or billing (recruitment/staffing environment advantageous)
• Experience with payroll, billing or CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce, Access PAB, Xero, Sage 200) advantageous
• Comfortable managing multiple payrolls, clients and deadlines simultaneously
• UK pay and bill / payroll legislation experience advantageous but not essential
• Strong Excel and reporting skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Confident speaking with clients and stakeholders by phone and email

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised with strong attention to detail
• Confident, professional communicator
• Proactive problem solver with a high level of accuracy
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Adaptable and process-driven, with the flexibility to manage different client and payroll types
• Able to collaborate effectively across finance, sales, and operations teams
• For candidates aiming at Manager level: able to lead, coach and develop a team

R25,000 - R40,000pm CTC depending on experience

[Please ONLY apply if you have the relavant experience and your salary expectations matches the package advertised]

Why Join Abacus Resource Solutions

At Abacus Resource Solutions, we believe that great businesses are built on great people, strong processes, and trusted partnerships.

From our Pretoria office, we support recruitment businesses across the UK, helping them scale by delivering reliable finance and operational support.

Joining our team means working in a collaborative, international environment where your contribution directly supports the growth and success of our clients.

You will be part of a business that values expertise, integrity, adaptability, and collaboration, while providing opportunities to develop your skills within the global recruitment sector.

If you are a motivated finance professional who enjoys working in a detail-driven international environment, we would love to hear from you.

Please apply via LinkedIn or by emailing ***email_hidden*** with your CV and a short introduction outlining your experience and interest in the role.