SAJ expands services with financial consultancy for SMEs

AS PART of its ongoing rebranding, the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) has launched a suite of financial consultancy services designed to help small and medium-size businesses strengthen their operations and build sustainable enterprises.

With more than 86 years of expertise in financial management and supported by a team with over 50 years of combined experience in payroll, accounting, and bookkeeping, the SAJ is now offering services ranging from payroll processing and statutory filings to accounts management, cash flow forecasting, and audit preparation. The association is also providing guidance for start-ups, helping businesses set up charts of accounts, implement systems, and establish sound financial frameworks from the ground up.

Fiona Hall, finance manager at the SAJ, said the expansion was driven by demand for reliable yet affordable financial support for SMEs. “We are rebranding the entire SAJ and, under SAJ Consultancy we are now offering accounts and payroll support. We can file your monthly payroll returns and annual returns on your behalf through the Tax Administration Jamaica platform, or provide the templates if you prefer to handle it internally,” she explained.

She noted that payroll outsourcing is another key benefit, enabling companies to avoid the costs of in-house systems and staff. “We have managed payrolls of up to 800 employees, so we are more than capable of handling the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. Our normal client base has included port workers with complex weekly, timesheet-based payrolls, which are often more technical than a monthly payroll. We can manage those just as efficiently,” Hall added.

We have also been handling senior executive level payroll for the last 50 years, cementing our role as a trusted partner to enterprises that prize confidentiality as much as they do efficiency and accuracy for all payroll types.

The strength of the consultancy lies not only in its breadth of services, but also in the experience of its staff. The team includes professionals with up to 30 years’ experience in the field, who currently manage more than 10 account types. This mix of long-standing expertise and practical, hands-on management ensures that clients receive accurate, reliable, and timely service across the board.

In addition to payroll, the SAJ helps businesses set up and streamline accounting systems, improve bookkeeping practices, prepare financial statements for audits, and forecast cash flow to support decision-making. SAJ also handles the entire audit process for several clients who need this service, including negotiation with audit firms on their pricing and schedules.

Hall emphasised that the consultancy benefits from both financial and IT expertise, allowing it to automate processes where possible, reduce inefficiencies, and deliver tailored solutions at competitive rates.

The further expansion of its long-standing financial consultancy is part of the SAJ’s wider strategy to deepen engagement with businesses while promoting resilience, sustainability, and compliance in Jamaica’s logistics and shipping sector.

The SAJ was founded in 1939 and registered under the Union Act of Jamaica. It was a response to labour unrest of the 1930s, originally organised by a small group of businessmen as a labour hire organisation. More than eight decades later, the association, which has cemented its expertise in workforce planning, administration, and industrial relations, now represents 80 companies in the shipping industry. Although the association has since transitioned out of direct labour hire for the port, it continues an important role in bolstering Jamaica’s maritime sector, leveraging its long-standing legacy. Through its institutional knowledge and capacity, the SAJ is well placed to support businesses and manage productive teams, while maintaining strong industrial relations through key government and sectoral committees.