PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Engaging with new media like YouTube or podcasts is another avenue payrollers should not be afraid to go down. PS: I think a questioning and sceptical mindset is the most valuable tool for a future in payroll. A professional cannot be expected to keep abreast of every nuance in legislation but by remaining up to date and questioning and challenging information then you would provide the best service to your employer or clients. A big part of this will of course be communication skills as it is not about being accusatory or intimidating but about knowing when to ask questions and to know when further information is needed. SS: Payrollers have to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, from employees to heads of other departments, but must do so without confusing the recipient. They are obliged to translate technical jargon into everyday language while retaining the accuracy of the message conveyed. For payrollers, effective leadership and management skills also have a heightened necessity to enable the department to adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving profession. KY: In our most recent research, communication comes up as the soft skill which payroll employers say they most need (52% said they require this). This is somewhat unsurprising considering the dramatic shift to remote working in response to the pandemic, which has completely changed the way we work and interact. But remote working looks like it’s here to stay in some respect, so going forward, developing strong communication skills will be incredibly relevant for payroll professionals. Does the constant technological evolution in payroll mean the balance is tipping in terms of the kind of skills needed in the profession? EG: I believe so. For the foreseeable, I can see the hands-on approach to payroll (by which I mean ensuring excellent technical knowledge) is still
NP: Yes, but I am made nervous by the idea that technological evolution is an excuse for payroll professionals to dispense with core skills, such as the ability to perform manual gross-to-net calculations. The challenge for payrollers is that in addition to our traditional skillset, we must now also develop hybrid skills that might previously have been the domain of the IT professional – for example, a greater understanding of releases and upgrades, workflows and more powerful self-service functionality. PS: Technological evolution really just highlights that while more can be done with our software and systems, it means more onus on payroll adding value to the organisation. Too many businesses buy into a software product based on the sales pitch of what it can do for you and all the data it can deal with, but if there is no one there to interpret that data and translate it into useful organisational change then it is irrelevant. SS: Perhaps surprisingly, not really. Technological advancement serves to aid diligent and forward-thinking payrollers, but does not replace them or force their evolution into a new being. But the core knowledge and skills required remain the same.
going to be key; however, it is apparent that our customers and clients at Dataplan require more than just the payroll service provision. At Dataplan we are already diversifying and provide e-payslips (which does a lot more than the title suggests), troncs, pensions and not just calculations of deduction – we calculate and submit monthly returns for our clients. LG: Technology is revolutionising our payroll profession and the people who work in it. AI and technology assist with payroll compliance, and if used effectively eliminate repetitive tasks and offer improved data security. The reporting functions powered by the technology empower our business leaders. Payroll data offers managers and stakeholders information to allow them to make decisions for the business tomorrow. JP: There are certain aspects of the payroll process that will always remain the same, yet no longer is it sufficient to know the normal statutory regulations and procedures. With the ever-increasing corporate demand and desire for efficiency and accuracy, the use of IT and technology is now considered normal. Payrollers are now expected to utilise a variety of IT applications from traditional systems, such as Excel, to payroll software, bespoke internal applications, secure file transfer software, third-party middleware, and everything in between!
KY: Absolutely. We’re seeing an increased adoption of tech and
automated processes in payroll placing emphasis on the importance of IT and system skills. Not only are professionals required to master these skills, but they also need to be able to adopt them quickly in order to keep up with changes in our world of work. n
Technology is revolutionising our payroll profession and the people who work in it.
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | March 2021 | Issue 68 20
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