REWARD
“Together we can lift our profession up to where it needs to be”
far more powerful. Payroll tells the story of a business. It reveals how they treat their people. It tracks how they manage their money. It reflects their values and their leadership. It’s both a mirror and a motor, and yet, too many employers look away. Bury their heads. This book was born out of that quiet frustration, but also from a place of hope. “But payroll’s not easy to explain. Its value isn’t something you can sum up in a sentence or two” The three Ps of payroll Central to the book is the concept of the ‘Three Ps of payroll: process, people and profit.’ The essential pillars for recognising payroll not as a standalone task, but as a powerful strategic asset at the heart of any successful business. Process The backbone of a business. When payroll processes run smoothly, they provide strength, stability and control. But too often, I see patchwork systems, manual workarounds and stress that bleeds into the whole business. Refining your payroll process is one of the fastest ways to boost business efficiency, not just for payroll’s sake, but for the whole organisation. Getting the process right isn’t just about avoiding errors, it’s about building trust. It’s the foundation of everything else.
A seed of curiosity. A seed of respect. A seed of possibility. This book isn’t the final word on payroll; I hope for it to be the beginning of a new conversation. A conversation about worth, about visibility and about doing things differently. It’s my way of saying to employers: ‘There’s more here than you think. And if you take the time to explore it, everyone wins.’ To the payroll professionals reading this, I see you. I know the pressure you’re under, and the care and the precision you bring to your work. I hope my book helps others see it too. To employers, I challenge them to ask deeper questions and to engage with their payroll on a new level to realise its value. Because at the end of the day, payroll isn’t just a cost. It’s a value driver. A critical business function with strategic power and human impact. And when you start from that place, everything else falls beautifully into place. I hope my book can be the beginning of a new story. A better story. One where payroll finally gets the recognition it deserves, and where everyone gets the value they need. I know I’m not alone. Together we can lift our profession up to where it deserves to be. n
even how payroll impacts marketing / sales and the employer’s reputation. How simple changes, better communication, timely support, visible care, can transform a culture. When you treat payroll as a people function, not just a financial one, the difference is remarkable. Staff feel safer, seen and supported. And that ripples outwards into engagement, retention and reputation. Profit The lifeblood of a business. It might surprise some employers to hear that payroll can drive profit, but we know it’s true. When they understand their payroll data, patterns and potential, they can make smarter decisions. They spot inefficiencies. They can optimise roles. They see opportunities to reinvest, reallocate or reward. The book delves into the numbers, assets, liabilities and business worth, not from a dry or technical perspective, but from a business intelligence standpoint. I want employers to see that payroll isn’t just a cost centre. It’s a treasure trove of untapped value. A new era for payroll This book is more about mindset than it is about mechanics. It’s an invitation to look again, to look deeper, and see payroll not as an obligation, but as an opportunity. It’s for employers, payroll professionals, human resources leaders and finance professionals. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt payroll was more than just payslips and needed a way to explain why. As I reflect on what my book means to me, and what I hope it becomes for others, I keep coming back to one word: education. Because when you know better, you do better. I believe we’re entering a new era for payroll. One where it’s not hidden in the shadows but stepping out into the spotlight. One where payroll professionals are seen as strategic contributors. One where employers finally recognise the depth of value in the very function they’ve taken for granted. But change starts with awareness. It starts with us. My book is designed to: plant a seed.
People The heart of a business. Payroll is personal. Every payslip represents
someone’s mortgage, someone’s weekly shop, someone’s peace of mind. That’s immense responsibility. Especially considering the legislative and economic environment we operate in today. And yet, how often is that recognised? Payroll touches the lives of every employee, every pay period. That means it’s one of the most regular, and most powerful, points of contact between an employer and their people. I look at the role payroll plays in relation to an employer’s team. From different departments to individual employees, and
The Value of Payroll delves into how organisations can turn their biggest cost into their biggest asset.
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 113 | September 2025
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