Payroll specialist job description template
A payroll specialist job description sets out how the role pays employees correctly and on time. This template, written for companies in Saudi Arabia, covers the monthly payroll, overtime and deductions, GOSI contributions, the Mudad wage file, end-of-service and final settlements, and payroll reports, with neutral wording and placeholders. Copy it or download it as Word.
Replace everything in [square brackets] with your details.
Job title: Payroll specialist
Department: [Human Resources / Finance]
Reports to: [HR manager / Finance manager]
Location: [City], [on site / hybrid]
Employment type: [Full time]
Job purpose
To pay [Company name]’s employees correctly and on time every month, in line with their contracts, company policy and Saudi requirements.
Key responsibilities
- Prepare the monthly payroll in [Payroll system] from salaries, allowances, attendance and approved changes.
- Calculate overtime, unpaid leave, deductions and loan instalments under the Labour Law and company policy.
- Keep each employee’s GOSI wage correct and record wage changes on time.
- Reconcile GOSI contributions with the payroll each month.
- Prepare and upload the wage protection file to Mudad, and resolve any mismatches.
- Send salary payments through the bank and confirm they were received.
- Calculate end-of-service awards, leave pay and final settlements for leavers.
- Issue payslips and answer employees’ pay questions.
- Post the payroll journal and give finance the cost by cost centre.
- Keep payroll records and approvals ready for internal and external audit.
- Keep pay data confidential and limit access to those who need it.
Qualifications and experience
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, human resources or a related field.
- [Number] years of payroll experience in Saudi Arabia.
- Working knowledge of the Saudi Labour Law, GOSI contributions and Mudad.
Skills
- Accuracy with numbers and strong Excel skills.
- Experience with [Payroll or ERP system].
- Clear written and spoken Arabic and English.
- Discretion with salary information and the ability to meet a fixed monthly deadline.
Working conditions
Working hours: [Days and hours, within the Labour Law limits]
Place of work: [Office address]
Probation period: [Number] days, up to 180 days, as set in the contract
Pay and benefits: [Salary range or “to be discussed”], [Housing and transport allowances], [Medical insurance], [Other benefits]
How to apply
[How to apply and the closing date]
How to adapt it
- State the size of the payroll: the number of employees, the pay groups and whether it includes several entities.
- Say where the role sits. In HR, it may also own attendance; in finance, it may also own the payroll accounting.
- Name your payroll system and bank, and whether pay runs once or twice a month.
To check contributions as you prepare the advert, use the GOSI calculator.
What to avoid in a job ad
- Requirements based on gender, age, nationality or religion. Describe the work and the skills, and let anyone who meets them apply.
- Asking for knowledge of systems you do not use.
- Pay or benefits the offer will not match.
Some professions and activities are reserved for Saudis, or need a set share of Saudi employees, under Saudisation decisions. Check the decisions that apply to your activity and this profession on Qiwa before you advertise, and see Saudisation.
RafiqHR’s Recruiting module, in the All-in-one plan, posts the job to your careers site, job boards and Jadarat, and Rafiq AI drafts a first version of any description in the free job description generator.
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
What does a payroll specialist do in Saudi Arabia?
A payroll specialist calculates the monthly payroll from salaries, attendance, overtime and deductions, keeps GOSI wages correct, prepares the wage protection file in Mudad, pays salaries through the bank, calculates end-of-service awards and final settlements, and gives finance the payroll journal.
Which wage does GOSI use?
The contributory wage, which is the basic wage plus the housing allowance, capped at 45,000 SAR a month. The payroll specialist makes sure the wage registered with GOSI matches the contract and the payroll.
What is the Mudad wage file?
The file of each employee’s wage that the employer uploads to Mudad for the Wage Protection System. Since March 2025, it has been due within 30 days. Late or mismatched files can bring fines and restricted services until they are fixed.
This is general information to help you understand the topic. It is not legal advice. Rules and rates change: always check the official text on the relevant authority’s platform and consult a qualified adviser before acting.
