ONLINE LEARNING
MEMBER TAKEOVER
Payroll for non-payroll professionals
What does the future hold for payroll profession? The profession will continue to change and grow, as we’re seeing at every budget and chancellor’s statement. Although we’re used to seeing changes to tax and National Insurance (NI) in April, in alignment with the new tax year, this year we’ve had to digest and implement changes in April, July and once again in November in relation to NI. Areas I think we’ll see additional movement in include: l benefits in kind and the associated reporting method – P11D forms may become obsolete, and it could become mandatory to payroll benefits and report them through real time information l automation and extended use of artificial intelligence l flexible payments – as technology continues advancing, I think it’ll become more of the norm for companies to offer this to employees. This will transform the way we run payroll. Payments will be made outside of the standard weekly, fortnightly or monthly cycles, which could change the way tax and NI is operated. This is what keeps payroll so interesting and engaging, nothing is straightforward, no payroll is the same and you’re constantly learning and applying new legislation. It’s also having the ability to interpret that legislation and put it in to practice.
we now have capable systems which have enabled us to automate and streamline our processes. They have also completed calculations for us. But it’s at critical times, such as in the pandemic, where we had to go back to our core skills to deliver, particularly when software developers were still in the process of updating systems. How much do pilots rely on automation? Once programmed correctly, autopilot is great, but it can, and occasionally does, fail. If it does, pilots must use their skills to act fast and take over, manually flying the plane to complete the flight safely. Payroll professionals must act to use their knowledge and experience in the same way when there are software issues or rapid change is announced. Payroll professionals must act to use their knowledge and experience in the same way when there are software issues or rapid change is announced When I started processing payrolls 15 years ago, I was inputting data on to a green screen system and churning out paper payslips off a big printer that would often get stuck. How processes have advanced, with everyone now viewing their payslips on their phones, as soon as that commit button has been pushed, ping! They have their payslip straight away and can see what’s going into their bank account. I see new systems as new opportunities. We’ve recently upgraded to a cloud-based system and what I’ve discovered is that automation doesn’t mean our skills are less in demand, but our skills, knowledge and experience are needed more than ever to ensure systems are set up correctly to: l ensure compliance l reduce the risk of error l provide the output needed. We‘re now using our analytical skills more to add value. We’ve worked on data output to produce reports for calculating average holiday pay and checking national minimum wage, saving valuable time in the long run.
Duration Two consecutive half days
This course gives a high-level overview of on the day-to-day obligations of the payroll function, including the fundamentals of payroll, statutory and voluntary payments, and deductions.
Visit cipp.org.uk/training to book your place
You’re constantly learning and applying new legislation
We strive for perfection with our payrolls because the crucial end goal for us is paying our staff the correct amount, on time. None of us want to see our employees in financial hardship, and it’s that responsibility and duty we have to them that keeps us going. I feel incredibly lucky that our payroll officer asked me to learn payroll when I was 17, and to have had the support she’s provided throughout my 15 years in the profession. I’ve never looked back, and although it comes with stress at times, I absolutely love the payroll career I’ve had. n
Non-member price: £449 + VAT Member price: £349 + VAT
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 86 | December 2022 – January 2023
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