MY CIPP
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are News Online articles, at least three a day, presenting on webinars, attending consultation meetings, and putting together extended articles for publications such as the CIPP’s magazine, Professional . What type of skills does a policy teammember need? They need to be adaptable, as things are constantly evolving and changing in the payroll sphere. I think we also need to be quite resilient characters due to this and be prepared for whatever comes our way. A good analytical and technical mind is a must, as we have to interpret complex, wordy legislation and put it into practice, and real life situations. What’s themost interesting fact you have ever heard about payroll? In 1966, the Beatles released the song Taxman to protest against the 95% supertax they were paying.
Management. Although it is very enjoyable, juggling studying with being a single mum and a full-time job does sometimes have its challenges. Was there amoment in your career/life that made you want to enter a career in payroll? From the moment I started my first payroll related job, I wanted to pursue a career in payroll. When given extra responsibility for the more complex and less administrative tasks in that role, I decided this was definitely something I wanted to do more of. Howdo you feel when you know you havemade a positive difference to someone through your advice? It is genuinely one of the best feelings in the world. I know from my time working in operational payroll that when you are uncertain about an element of processing payroll it can make you feel panicky and doubt your own knowledge. So, to be the voice that reassures someone that what they are doing is correct is amazing. What has been your biggest sense of achievement since joining the CIPP policy team? I really enjoyed being involved in and pleased with the outcome of the Future of Payroll survey. This gave me a chance to see what payroll professionals think will happen over the course of the next few years for the profession, and to analyse both qualitative and quantitative data. Tell us about a typical week as a policy teammember? No two days are ever the same, and there is no ‘typical week’. In the policy team, we have to be very adaptive as new information, guidance and policies are delivered at a fast pace, and more recently coronavirus related measures with little to no warning. The standard tasks that I complete
LoraMurphy ACIPP CIPP policy and research officer
Howdid you start your payroll career? I began my career in payroll when I received a call from The Wesleyan asking if I would be interested in a role as a payroll assistant. I absolutely loved the job and became interested in pursuing payroll as a career. I love that there are so many different elements to being a payroll professional, and that everyone within the profession is conscientious and want to ensure that staff get paid both correctly and on time. Howdid you thenmove into the policy team? I moved into policy because the job that I currently have combines two of my favourite skills and – without sounding arrogant – areas that I excel in: payroll and writing. To write about payroll is something I never thought I could possibly achieve, but here I am, loving it. I also want to help to raise the profile of payroll as a profession as I don’t think it gets the praise it deserves. We do this by attending consultation meetings and by sharing the views of members with various government departments. Did you study a specific course to help you enter this career? I have been on a variety of day-long payroll courses, both in-house and external throughout my time in payroll. I am currently studying Year 1 of the CIPP’s Foundation Degree in Payroll
Where do you receive your updates?
I regularly monitor a variety of webpages, with Gov.UK being top of the list. I make the most of social media – particularly LinkedIn, as this is a brilliant source of information for any new news. What techniques do you use to provide detailed accurate answers? I will always try and give as much detail as possible. Where I use jargon or acronyms, I will expand on what they mean to avoid additional confusion, as there’s nothing worse than being blinded by jargon. What processes do you use to keep up to date with general legislation I keep an eye on legislation.gov.uk, and within the team we also ensure that we share knowledge and alert each other to any new legislation published. n
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | July / August 2021 | Issue 72 8
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