Payroll Essentials for Bookkeepers
Presenters : Doubt Moyo
Overview
Payroll is one of the most critical yet complex aspects of business finance. Bookkeepers are often tasked with managing payroll systems, calculating earnings, applying deductions, ensuring regulatory compliance, and keeping precise records. This webinar introduces key payroll concepts, tax reporting requirements, and legal compliance practices every bookkeeper must understand. Attendees will gain practical skills to streamline payroll processes, avoid common pitfalls, and comply with SARS submissions and labor laws. Whether you’re new to payroll or want to sharpen your skills, this training will help ensure your payroll is accurate, timely, and audit-ready.
Join Doubt Moyo as he unpacks payroll fundamentals tailored for bookkeepers, exploring calculations, compliance, statutory deductions, payslip structuring, and best practices for accurate and confidential payroll record-keeping.
Learning Objectives
Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills:
• Understand the components and flow of payroll processing in bookkeeping
• Calculate gross pay, statutory deductions, and net pay accurately
• Comply with SARS EMP201 and EMP501 payroll submission requirements
• Maintain complete employee records and compliant payslips
• Identify and avoid common payroll processing errors and pitfalls
Content
The webinar will cover the following topics:
- Payroll Fundamentals and Bookkeeper’s Role
- Definition and components of payroll
- Steps in payroll processing: from data collection to payment
- Using payroll software and automation tools
- Bookkeeper responsibilities in compliance and accuracy
- Payroll Calculations and Deductions
- Gross pay vs. net pay calculations
- Statutory deductions: PAYE, UIF, SDL
- Voluntary and contractual deductions
- Fringe benefits and company contributions
- Payroll Record-Keeping and Payslips
- Payslip requirements per BCEA and SARS
- Details required on employee records
- Retention periods and best practices for data privacy
- Managing audits and avoiding penalties
- SARS Submission Compliance
- EMP201 and EMP501 returns
- Filing timelines and penalties
- Bi-annual reconciliation process
- Common Payroll Pitfalls and Solutions
- Incorrect tax calculations
- Missing employee details
- Delays in payments
- Failure to apply legislative changes