PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
# Be Payroll Jordan Workman ACIPP, HR business partner at Aston Martin, reveals how training and qualifications have boosted his knowledge, confidence and career development – from payroll to human resources (HR)
How did you begin your career in payroll? I was first introduced to the world of payroll many years ago at Volvo Group. I worked in the HR team and supported the payroll team with checking timesheets for a weekly payroll. Some years later and like many payroll professionals I know, my first ‘official’ payroll job came around almost by accident – and fate. I was working in an HR role for Stellantis in Luton, when I was nearly killed by a lorry on a motorway. After having some time off to recover, I transferred closer to home with the same company and started supporting the head office payroll and reward team. I loved it so much that I ended up spending three years in the team and was promoted to be the company’s youngest ever payroll supervisor. During this time, I managed a team of five payroll advisers delivering 35 payrolls for more than 4,000 employees. Fast forward the clock and I’m now HR business partner for Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd, studying a doctoral research degree with an international HR and executive leadership specialism.
so much easier. Also, never be afraid to ask questions. There are lots of ways to get the same answer and legislation is ever changing, so try not to get too overwhelmed. I have trained complete payroll beginners who switched careers after 30 years, and the one thing I always say is to make a note of any ‘golden nuggets’ of information when being trained as you never know when you might need them. How did you manage studying with other commitments? Studying while working full time was made easier due to the flexible approach offered by online learning. I always tried to use some annual leave to help around any key deadlines so I could focus on what was needed. However, studying and working is never easy, so I ensure I have a structured schedule in my diary that helps manage my work and home life. As I still study to this day alongside full-time employment, one thing I do to keep myself motivated is remind myself that learning is a privilege. My grandad, who sadly passed away in 2022, started college later in his life to learn how to read and write as he never got the opportunity growing up. Changing my mindset from viewing learning and studying as a chore to an opportunity to better myself was a game changer. What advice do you have for people considering studying for a qualification? Studying for a qualification is great – I went from being a complete payroll beginner to leading a payroll department in a few short years. Before starting any course, I’d always recommend making sure it’s the right decision for you. I researched the course online first and made sure it covered what I wanted to learn. My qualification certainly
helped advance my career, so if you are considering studying with the IPPE, give it a go! Why did you study with IPPE? While I was working with Volvo Group in a HR role, I saw firsthand just how integral the payroll team were to the business. A member of the payroll team was studying with the IPPE at the time, and I remember how she was very well respected and trusted due to her learning best practices and sharing her knowledge with the team. I was early on in my career and felt that this type of qualification could expand my knowledge and hopefully open doors for me too. Looking back, it was the best decision I have made in my career so far.
How has your qualification helped you in your career?
Studying equipped me with the knowledge and confidence to not only work in payroll, but to be able to lead departments and train beginners through to experts. My career has been broadened significantly due to my qualification in payroll, where I have been able to carry out reward and pension related roles successfully due to knowing the foundations of key legislation and how to apply it within a payroll setting. My qualification has also given me a lot of credibility within the workplace as I completely understand what it is like for payroll professionals and the value we can add in cross-functional business projects. My qualification kept me employed and helped me navigate unclear processes with confidence, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. I’m most grateful that, because of gaining my qualification, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside or managing some amazing colleagues in the world of payroll. They are most definitely the unsung heroes of most organisations! n
Why did CIPP membership appeal to you?
I chose to have a membership with the CIPP because it’s made up of industry experts, and I’ve felt more supported in my career knowing excellent advice is just a phone call or webpage view away. Even now I have moved away from direct roles in payroll, I still keep my CIPP membership to keep up to date on the world of payroll, reward and pensions. Do you have any tips for people entering the profession? Ask for process guides where possible. If they don’t exist in your department, try and build them as you learn as they make life
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | November 2024 | Issue 105 18
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