PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
# Be Payroll Sharon Anderson BA (Hons) FCIPPdip, global payroll manager at Argus Media, reveals how her career has progressed with the help of training and qualifications provided by the CIPP
Can you describe your payroll journey to us so far? My first role straight from school was as a Girl Friday for a business in South Africa, which entailed various elements. Some days I was a building society teller, others I did legal secretarial or insurance work. I was responsible for the construction business, processing wages weekly for the employees, reporting taxes and much more. I also had the fun of going into Cape Town and picking fixtures and fittings for the homes being built. My family relocated to the UK in 1985 and I applied for a few positions. I got offered two; one working for an insurance broker and the other for a company in Wellingborough, which had factory staff and homeworkers paid for piecework. I always enjoyed working with figures and interacting with people, so I decided to pursue a career as a payroll clerk. I have no regrets. In the years that followed I moved to Surrey and started doing temporary contracts for a payroll agency, working with some well-known companies. I had a few permanent positions at various companies, including payroll bureaux, and in the earlier days we paid everyone in cash. I took great satisfaction in troubleshooting and implementing payrolls along the way, and I was always learning new things. Payroll is a challenging career as no two payrolls are the same, and I enjoyed reconciling each pay run. This was definitely my passion, as well as always keeping abreast of legislative changes and helping employees understand their payslips and taxation, always ensuring the company’s staff were paid accurately and on time.
Why did you choose to become a member of the CIPP? As my career progressed, companies were looking for recognised qualifications. Without them, I don’t believe I would have been able to progress to where I am today. I chose to self-fund my Diploma and then completed my BA with the CIPP. The CIPP or the Institute of Payroll and Pensions Management (IPPM), as it was known then, was a well-recognised name within the industry. I found my tutor, Linda Pullen, to be very accommodating and helpful when I did my Diploma, and I did my BA (Hons) through Derby University the first year it was launched.
to get the team CIPP memberships, and they have completed Level 3 qualifications. This year, my aim is to get them up to Level 4 with the Payroll Specialist Certificate and Level 5 with the Foundation Degree. I’m hoping to get my Chartered member status this year. What does working in payroll mean to you? I enjoy working in payroll and sharing my skills and knowledge with my team, encouraging development in their own payroll careers. Understanding legislation and compliance requirements is a vital part of my role, and having the CIPP at hand helps me do this. The Advisory Service team is always keeping us informed of change, and future changes in the pipeline. I have mentioned to my peers that I would like to look at getting our business accredited with the Payroll Assurance Scheme (PAS), offered through the CIPP. What advice would you give to those new to the payroll profession who are just starting out in their careers? Payroll is a very rewarding career to pursue. It’s challenging, but with the right support you can progress with great skill sets and satisfaction, knowing it’s the right career for you if you enjoy a challenging job with rewarding benefits. Listen to others and you will always learn new things. Every day in payroll is a new learning day. I have no regrets and have enjoyed payroll for a long time. I have met some amazing colleagues and people through the CIPP along the way. n
How has your membership helped you in your career?
The CIPP is a great professional body as it offers use of the Advisory Service and publishes regular updates in Professional magazine and through forums, etc. My peers often approach me asking if I can find out how to process things and I then communicate with either the Advisory Service team or one of the many payroll colleagues I have met through conferences / courses with the CIPP.
Do you have any plans for further study with us?
Having now been in payroll for nearly four decades, and managing a global payroll team, I’m sharing my knowledge and skills, mentoring them to excel in their own careers. The company I work for and have been with for nearly five years now keenly encourages professional development. This is why I have managed
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | July - August 2024 | Issue 102 18
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