Knowledge Centre

Hire smart, pay right, and keep your team compliant and cost-effective.

Human Resources 

1. What You Need to Know

HR isn’t just about people — it’s also about numbers. 
Every employee adds costs (salaries, benefits, tax) and value (productivity, revenue impact). Accountants help employers calculate the financial impact of hiring, set up payroll systems, and keep SARS and labour filings in order. 

2. Why It Matters to You

Managing HR with numbers protects your bottom line. 
Shows the true cost and value of each hire. 
Keeps payroll accurate and SARS-compliant. 
Reduces risk of fines for labour law breaches. 
Supports workforce planning and budgeting.

3. Frameworks, Standards, or References 

HR management is guided by both financial and legal frameworks. 

  • Frameworks to use: HR cost-benefit analysis, Workforce planning, Payroll reporting systems. 

  • Laws & compliance: Basic Conditions of Employment Act, SARS payroll taxes (PAYE, UIF, SDL). 

  • References: CIBA guides on payroll and HR compliance. 

  • What your accountant will actually do: 

  • Calculate hiring costs and ROI of staff. 

  • Set up and run payroll systems. 

  • File PAYE, UIF, and SDL returns with SARS. 

  • Provide HR cost reports to management. 

4. How to Apply

Steps to manage HR finances effectively: 

  1. Assess the full cost of new hires with your accountant. 

  2. Implement a payroll system to automate salaries and deductions. 

  3. File monthly PAYE, UIF, and SDL returns. 

  4. Review staff costs against revenue and productivity. 

  5. Use HR data in budgets and workforce planning.  

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid 

Don’t let HR errors damage your finances: 

  • Ignoring the true cost of staff → Include benefits, tax, and overheads. 

  • Running payroll manually → Use systems to avoid mistakes. 

  • Missing SARS payroll deadlines → Avoid penalties with monthly filings. 

  • Not linking HR to strategy → Ensure staff costs align with business goals.