MYCIPP
Spotlight on...
Did you study a specific course to help you enter this career? When I joined the CIPP, I knew I wanted to have a formal qualification in my chosen career path. I knew that embarking on the Foundation Degree in Payroll Management was the correct choice for me. I began my studies in October 2018 and have recently completed the qualification. Although no specific course is required to work within the industry, I am passionate that education and continuous learning and development are key in being successful. Was there a moment in your life, or career, that made you want to work in payroll? As mentioned, having a background in finance, I already had some exposure to payroll figures. Seeing this information on a regular basis fascinated me somewhat – I would always ask why the PAYE (pay as you earn) figures were different each pay period, and how they were calculated. When the opportunity to work within payroll arose, it was an easy decision for me to take it. How do you feel knowing you have made a positive difference to someone through your advice? My role at the CIPP involves interacting, not just with payroll professionals, but also government bodies. Knowing that my involvement and input has made a difference leaves me with an immense sense of pride. Working within payroll can, at times, be lonely, therefore the knowledge that I can support members
and the wider profession inspires me to continue being a part of the payroll community. What has been your biggest sense of achievement since joining the policy team at the CIPP? Legislation and guidance are ever- changing. The current pandemic and the challenges it presented to payroll professionals have highlighted this. Knowing that the information provided by me and my team was of great importance to the profession gave me a huge feeling of responsibility. Juggling working from home whilst being a mother of two children, and still ensuring that information was delivered to the payroll profession in a timely manner was a big achievement – it will be hard to beat these accomplishments in the future. Tell us about a typical week as a policy/advisory team member I love my role as no day or week is the same. In policy, we must always keep our eyes on everything. You could be happily writing an article and the next minute, a new piece of legislation or an amendment to guidance is issued, and your whole day changes. What type of skills does a policy and advisory member require? To be successful in this role, you must be adaptable to change. Communication skills are also key, along with a keen eye for detail. The most fundamental skill, however, is a passion for payroll. n
GemmaMullisMCIPP CIPP policy and research officer
How did you start your payroll career? I began my career in payroll following a company restructure and although, like others, I ‘fell’ into the role, it was a career choice I actively decided to continue with. I had transitioned from a role in finance, so understanding the figures I used in my previous job in more detail intrigued me, and I was eager to learn more. How did you move into advisory, and then policy? Leaving a role which involved processing payroll to move into an advisory role was initially a struggle. However, my passion for helping and empowering payroll professionals with knowledge made the move easier, as the role allowed me to communicate with them on a daily basis via a variety of platforms. The skills I learned and advanced in the advisory team put me in good stead for my position in the world of policy.
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 74 | October 2021
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