Trainee: Payroll Analyst

Role Overview:

Role Overview

As a Payroll Analyst Trainee, you will support the delivery of accurate, timely payroll, benefits administration, and people data reporting across Cellulant Group entities. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to build hands-on experience in payroll operations, statutory compliance, benefits administration, and people analytics. You will collaborate closely with the People & Culture and Finance teams on payroll preparation, account reconciliations, employee record management, routine query resolution, and data reporting.

Key Role Outcomes

Accurate Payroll Inputs: Deliver well-validated payroll inputs and reconciliations to ensure on-time, fully compliant payroll execution for assigned entities.

Statutory Compliance: Ensure reliable preparation and processing of statutory deductions, filings, and remittances (such as KRA, NSSF, SHA, and other applicable regional requirements).

Auditable Records: Maintain meticulously organized payroll and benefits records and documentation that easily stand up to audits and fuel reliable workforce reporting.

Responsive Employee Support: Handle routine employee payroll and benefits queries with high professionalism, ensuring appropriate and prompt escalation for complex matters.

Data Growth & Insights: Build foundational capability in payroll and people analytics, translating raw workforce data into actionable insights for the team.

Why Work for Us?

At Cellulant, we are more than a payments company—we are bridge-builders. By simplifying how people pay and get paid, we connect companies to their ambitions, individuals to opportunities, and Africa to the global economy.

Extensive African Footprint: We maintain a physical office presence in 10 countries and power products across 24 countries, supported by a global workforce of around 300 employees.

Fintech Innovation: Thousands of market leaders and top enterprises across financial services, travel, telecom, e-commerce, and the gig economy trust our technology to power their payments.

Employee-First Culture: We offer market-related compensation, generous personal time off, and comprehensive medical and life insurance benefits (markets permitting).

Collaborative Builders: We foster an inclusive, collaborative environment that challenges, engages, and empowers every team member to drive real business growth.

Empowering Growth: We support a diverse workforce with individualized career paths, dedicated development, and opportunities to reach your full potential in a supportive environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Payroll Processing (40%)

Input Validation & Consolidation: Collect, validate, and consolidate payroll inputs—including employee changes, allowances, deductions, and adjustments—for assigned Cellulant Group entities.

Data Verification: Assist with payroll reconciliations and thorough verification of data prior to final processing.

Statutory Compliance: Support the accurate preparation and filing of statutory deductions and remittances (such as KRA, NSSF, SHA, and other applicable requirements).

System & Process Support: Help identify and resolve payroll discrepancies, maintain supporting documentation, and assist with payroll system updates and process improvements.

2. Payroll Administration (35%)

Employee Support: Respond promptly to routine employee payroll queries and escalate complex matters appropriately.

Reporting & Budgeting: Prepare regular payroll reports, reconciliations, and headcount data required for budgeting, forecasting, and People & Culture budget tracking.

Audit Preparation: Support internal and external audits by organizing required documentation and validating historical payroll information.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with People & Culture and Finance teams to resolve discrepancies and maintain data integrity.

3. Benefits Administration (15%)

Life-Cycle Management: Assist with employee benefits administration, including health insurance and retirement plans, managing enrollments, updates, and exits.

Provider Coordination: Act as a liaison with benefit providers for routine administrative tasks and follow up on outstanding requests.

HRIS Maintenance: Maintain accurate benefits records within the HRIS and conduct provider invoice reconciliations while ensuring strict compliance with data protection laws.

4. Payroll & People Analytics (10%)

Reporting & Dashboards: Support the creation of regular and ad-hoc workforce reports, maintaining up-to-date payroll and people dashboards.

Data Analysis: Assist in analyzing payroll costs, headcount trends, and workforce metrics to support internal stakeholders.

Insight Generation: Build foundational capability in translating raw payroll and people data into meaningful, practical insights.

Requirements & Qualifications

Education & Experience

Academic Background: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Business Administration, Statistics, Economics, or a related field.

Experience Level: A recent graduate or early-career professional eager to build a long-term career in payroll, HR operations, or people analytics.

Foundational Knowledge: A basic understanding of payroll principles, accounting, HR administration, or statutory compliance is a distinct advantage.

Technical Skills: Good numerical and analytical abilities, with working knowledge of Microsoft Excel (formulas, basic data analysis; Pivot Tables and lookup functions are a plus).

Systems Exposure: Prior exposure to HRIS, payroll, or accounting software through internships, employment, or academic projects is advantageous.

Key Competencies

Learning Agility: Demonstrates high curiosity, a strong willingness to learn, and the capability to quickly master payroll processes, systems, and statutory requirements.

Accuracy & Attention to Detail: Works meticulously with sensitive numerical and employee data, taking personal responsibility for thorough validation and error checking.

Analytical Thinking: Capable of working with data, identifying basic trends or discrepancies, and growing proficiency in payroll and people analytics.

Operational Discipline: Strictly follows established standard operating procedures, maintains rigorous documentation, and meets all assigned deadlines.

Problem-Solving: Skillful at investigating routine discrepancies, asking relevant questions, and properly escalating complex issues when necessary.

Collaboration & Communication: Communicates clearly and professionally, working effectively alongside People & Culture, Finance, external providers, and employees.

Confidentiality & Integrity: Exercises absolute discretion, sound judgment, and trustworthiness when handling sensitive employee, payroll, and benefits data.