Payroll Executive

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Regional Payroll Specialist based in Malaysia to manage and support end-to-end payroll operations for both Malaysia and Singapore.

The successful candidate must have practical, hands-on experience in payroll processing and a strong understanding of the statutory requirements, employment regulations, payroll practices and HR policies applicable in both Malaysia and Singapore.

This role is suitable for someone who is comfortable handling payroll independently, reviewing payroll calculations, resolving payroll issues and keeping up to date with changes in employment and statutory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Malaysia & Singapore Payroll

• Manage end-to-end monthly payroll processing for employees in Malaysia and Singapore.
• Process new hires, resignations, salary changes, allowances, deductions, overtime, bonuses, commissions and other payroll adjustments.
• Validate attendance, leave, claims and other payroll inputs before payroll processing.
• Perform payroll reconciliation and variance checks to ensure accuracy.
• Prepare payroll reports and supporting documentation for management and clients.
• Handle payroll queries from employees, HR, Finance and management.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies in a timely manner.

Statutory & Regulatory Compliance

Maintain practical working knowledge and ensure payroll compliance with applicable requirements, including:

Malaysia

• EPF / KWSP
• SOCSO / PERKESO
• EIS
• PCB / MTD
• LHDN requirements
• HRD Corp / HRDF requirements where applicable
• Employment Act and relevant employment regulations
• EA forms and annual payroll reporting
• Employee tax-related matters, including relevant tax clearance processes

Singapore

• CPF
• SDL
• IRAS payroll and employment income reporting
• IR8A / AIS and applicable tax reporting
• IR21 where applicable
• Employment Act and relevant employment regulations
• Singapore statutory payroll requirements
• Monitor changes to Malaysian and Singapore employment, tax and payroll regulations.
• Assess the impact of regulatory changes on payroll calculations, processes and HR policies.
• Ensure payroll processes and SOPs are updated when statutory requirements change.

HR & Employee Administration

• Maintain accurate employee and payroll records.
• Support employee onboarding and offboarding processes.
• Handle payroll-related documentation and statutory submissions.
• Assist with HR administration, leave, claims, attendance and employee data management where required.
• Support audits and provide payroll records and reports when required.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee and payroll information.

Payroll Systems & Reporting

• Work with payroll/HRIS systems to process and verify payroll.
• Perform payroll data checking, reconciliation and validation using Microsoft Excel.
• Prepare management reports and payroll summaries.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls and efficiency.
• Maintain proper payroll SOPs, checklists and documentation.

Requirements

• Diploma/Degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related discipline.
• At least 3 years of hands-on payroll experience.
• Practical experience handling both Malaysia and Singapore payroll is required.
• Strong knowledge of Malaysian payroll statutory requirements.
• Working knowledge of Singapore payroll statutory requirements.
• Good understanding of employment and payroll-related legislation in both countries.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, reconciliation and data checking.
• Experience with HRIS or payroll software.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Able to work independently and manage strict payroll deadlines.
• Strong communication skills in English.
• Able to handle confidential employee and payroll information professionally.

Advantageous

• Experience in payroll outsourcing / managed payroll / shared services.
• Experience handling payroll for multiple companies or clients.
• Experience managing high-volume payroll.
• Experience supporting both Malaysia- and Singapore-based employees.
• Knowledge of payroll accounting and reconciliation.
• Experience with HRIS implementation or payroll system migration.
• Familiarity with automated payroll systems and Excel-based payroll validation.

Important Candidate Requirement

Applicants should clearly indicate in their resume:

1. Number of years of Malaysia payroll experience
2. Number of years of Singapore payroll experience
3. Approximate maximum employee/headcount volume handled
4. Number of companies/entities handled simultaneously
5. Payroll systems/software used
6. Experience with Malaysia statutory submissions
7. Experience with Singapore statutory submissions
8. Whether they have handled payroll independently from payroll input through finalisation and statutory submission

Candidates without practical Singapore payroll experience may be considered only if they have strong Malaysia payroll experience and are able to demonstrate the ability to learn Singapore payroll requirements quickly.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who can actually operate payroll, rather than someone whose experience is limited to general HR administration.

The successful candidate should be comfortable working with detailed payroll data, identifying discrepancies, understanding statutory requirements and taking ownership of payroll deadlines across both Malaysia and Singapore.