FEATURE TOPIC
This issue, Jerome spoke to: Eleri Ashbrook MCIPPdip, payroll administrator, Jones Bros Civil Engineering Veronika Mackova MCIPPdip, payroll manager, Wilson Partners Limited Michael McAllister ACIPP, director and head of payroll services, Johnston Carmichael Chartered Accountants
Tracey Smith: I think the job we do as payroll professionals has historically been viewed as requiring less expertise than our colleagues in, for example, human resources (HR) or accountancy positions. Yet, we really are experts in our own field, and I strongly believe that being a member of the CIPP has helped change employers’ views of the role we play in our organisations. Sandra Was: I find CIPP membership essential for my role . The Payroll Pages , the Advisory Service team’s Q&A section in Professional magazine and assurance I can always reach out to the Advisory Service and receive a prompt and professional response is what makes CIPP membership very valuable. It’s also confidence-building in situations where I need to step up and support my team members with their daily tasks. It reminds me to be proud of all I’ve already achieved and helps me to go to the top of my profession. The CIPP prepares and empowers individuals like me CIPP members can play an active part in government consultations and legislative change. What legislation would you like to see changed? EA: I would really like to see increases to the value of statutory payments. VM: There are a few! But legislation is what it is, and, in the end, we must accept and apply it. However, what I sometimes struggle with is the vagueness of the changes and those unspoken grey areas that payroll professionals struggle with (sometimes daily). We’re payroll professionals and our responsibility is to ensure compliance. However, it sometimes feels as if HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) throws changes at us which are very tricky to apply – especially at short notice (for example, furlough and the never- ending changes to the rules). Over the years, payroll departments have taken on board benefits, additional holiday calculations, pensions, off payroll working rules and mobility issues … the list goes on. We still need to do our daily job and ensure employees are paid on time and correctly.
We’re no longer just a payroll department that calculates wages. If we want to keep up, we must have knowledge of HR, legal, finance, pensions, audit and a degree in psychology would also be a bonus! Therefore, to answer your question regarding what I’d like to see changed, it would be to receive better communications from HMRC and more transparency, for example, policies and rules that discuss technical payroll issues and mitigate the grey areas as much as possible. This is probably a utopian wish – but hey, hope dies last! MM: Without getting political, I’d like to see stability for our economy. A lot of people naïvely underestimate the financial turmoil we’re facing following a very difficult and expensive few years. I’d like to see all payroll professionals have a voice, to influence decisions rather than just comment and feedback on proposals already drafted for release. JN: Interesting one. Of course, less tax would be nice. AS-R: There have been many pieces of legislation implemented over the years that haven’t always gone down well with payroll for one reason or another. But there’s nothing I’d say I would like changed. I would, however, say that following an HMRC consultation I recently took part in, one thing I wouldn’t like to see introduced is new items, potentially being added to real time information (RTI) reports. The items could include: l work locations l occupational data l actual hours (as opposed to banded figures) worked for all employees. As I head up a bureau, getting this information each pay period for all clients so we can submit RTI reports would be an absolute nightmare. TS: I would like to see the off payroll working rules reversed. My dream came true, briefly! SW: With all the changes payroll professionals have had to face recently, it would be nice if nothing changed and remained the same for some time, so we can all return to some semblance of normality. Putting this aside, I’d like to see changes to statutory schemes, with higher rates of statutory sick, maternity and paternity pay, to help people cover their daily expenses, especially now, when we’re all struggling with the rising cost of living.
Joanne Nicholl ACIPP, payroll coordinator, Anglo American
Why is membership of the CIPP important to you? Eleri Ashbrook: It ensures I’m up to date with all payroll matters. The continuing professional development aspect is also valuable to me. It allows me to set learning objectives and track my development, helping me to continually improve and push myself. I really value the Advisory Service, which I’ve contacted a few times with payroll-related queries. Veronika Mackova: The CIPP prepares and empowers individuals like me. It enables me to deepen my payroll knowledge – whether it’s through technical courses or the ability to contact the Advisory Service, who are always there for me. Michael McAllister: Membership with the Institute recognises both my firm’s and my own commitment to our sector. It strengthens our credibility with clients. Joanne Nicholl: CIPP membership means support and understanding to me. In the ever-changing world of payroll, knowing there’s a team that understands the changes, who are there to help is reassuring. Alexander Scott-Ruddock: My CIPP membership is important to me because it ensures I have the support of some of the best payroll minds around, whether this is directly at the CIPP or through networking events bringing us all together. Being a member also helps keep me up to date with the latest developments within the payroll industry. Add to this the policy think tanks, which help us shape the way payroll is taken forward, and I cannot think of a better way to develop as a member of the payroll community. Alexander Scott-Ruddock MCIPPdip, payroll manager, MHA MacIntyre Hudson Tracey Smith MCIPPdip, reward manager, South East Water Sandra Was ACIPP, payroll process lead ROI and UK, Capgemini Poland.
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 86 | December 2022 – January 2023
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