CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Professional magazine asked payroll professionals Martyn Cheney BA (Hons) ChFCIPPdip and SamanthaMannMAAT MCIPPdip to answer various questions about moving into and copingwith being in business for themselves Starting your own business
What motivated you to set up as self-employed and/or to incorporate? Martyn Cheney: Having worked within the industry for 27 years and then suddenly being made redundant, I wanted to use my experience to offer a slightly different service to businesses. I knew that doing things a little differently would allow businesses to save both time and money. An agent suggested that I give self- employment a go, so I accepted a six-week contract. Six years later and Cheney Payroll Services is still going strong. Samantha Mann: It was 2003, and I had recently resigned from a long-standing job, in which I had progressed from working with financial accounts and bookkeeping, with occasional payroll support delivery and training, to starting up and growing a payroll bureau that delivered a wide range of payroll services (pay processing, helpline, training and emergency cover) to charities and voluntary groups in the Midlands. I confess that payroll was very much in my blood, and the thought of doing anything else never crossed my mind. However, my ‘motivation’ to become self-employed happened quite by accident when requests for payroll support came my way. I remained a sole trader (in other words,
Did you identify a gap and/or a demand in services that you wanted to fill/exploit? And how important do you think it is to adapt to emerging opportunities or to focus on your original intended services? MC: There is a lack of expertise within the marketplace for certain system specialists, and I fill that gap. Adapting is hugely important, especially given the recent pandemic and how much everyone has had to adapt. It can be difficult, but every opportunity has its merits, and none should be shunned immediately. SM: The one constant in payroll is change, and so adapting to emerging opportunities comes naturally once you have committed to a career in payroll. If we look back over the last twenty years, so much has changed in payroll, whilst in essence still remaining much the same. The UK government recognises the value that employers can provide through their payroll services. Once online submissions became accepted practice, an opportunity developed to make greater use of technology through real time information, which has really opened the door to further expansion and specialisms within payroll service. In addition, the gradual launch of automatic enrolment had employers of all shapes, sizes and complexities seeking out payroll specialists and technology that could
unincorporated) throughout the time of running my business.
What services are offered? MC: As a payroll consultant, I work with businesses, small or large, that are looking to implement a new payroll system or improve their existing system, whether a full or partial rebuild, or to streamline processes, calculations, and elements. I also offer an outsourced payroll solution to small- and medium-sized businesses. There are many facets to the role, with every new job being different from the last. These can include the configuration of new payroll software, advising businesses on how to get the best out of their existing payroll software by looking at the process and procedures, reporting, updating the mechanics of an existing payroll system to meet current business needs. SM: The core service was payroll delivery. All pay periods were covered which ensured employers maintained accurate payroll records, including all essential pay records. I provided gross to net pay calculations, leaving the employer only to pay over net pay to employees and remittances to HM Revenue & Customs. I also delivered a helpline, training and consultancy service.
...adapting to emerging opportunities comes naturally once you have committed to a career in payroll...
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | April 2021 | Issue 69 18
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