George’s payroll career In 1948, after leaving national service, George joined Liverpool Corporation salaries and wages section, which had over twenty payroll staff. He manually completed payslips and related how he had been strongly told off for making 4s and Xs look the same. George recalled that “fortunately, a colleague spotted an error that otherwise would have caused a bus driver to be paid £4 for a week’s work!” George worked on various Corporation costs centres looking after wages and accounting and some years later accepted the role of managing the wages and salaries section for the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive.
Forming APSA George’s accounting colleagues used to steer clear of payroll, and there was little in the way of help for payroll. The only help was from the computer man when new government schemes were introduced, such as earnings-related National Insurance contributions in 1975. Wondering why there wasn’t something like an accountancy body for payroll, George wrote to the Local Government Chronicle (see letter 1), and eventually formation of the Association of Payroll and Superannuation Administrators (APSA) followed. Although his letter acted as a catalyst it was two people from Kensington and Chelsea who progressed formation of the UK’s first professional payroll body, as there was an established network in London which was important in getting the body up and running. The inaugural meeting of APSA occurred on Friday 10 October 1980, at the Town Hall, Kensington and Chelsea. Letter 2 is the standard invitation sent. You are cordially invited to attend the inaugural meeting of the Institute of Payroll and Superannuation Administrators (IPSA). The meeting will commence at 1.30 p.m. in Committee Room on Friday 10th October 1980 at: The Town Hall, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Hornton Street, Kensington, London W.8. The Town Hall is only a few minutes walk from the underground at High Street, Kensington. The Agenda will be: 1. The formal creation of the Institute. 2. Appointment of Officers. 3. Appointment of Regional Officers. 4. Membership. 5. Publicity. 6. Proposed meeting of Officers with Director of IDS Ltd. 7. Training. 8. Recognition. 9. Any other business. Letter 2 Dear Sir,
...there was little in the way of help for payroll.
Letter 1 I would be grateful if you would bring this letter to the attention of your readers especially those responsible for the payment of salaries, wages and superannuation in their organisations. There is, in my opinion, a need for a new professional body to train, advise and increase the professional status of Salaries, Wages and Superannuation Officers. For some unknown reason officers responsible for the vital functions of pay and pensions have never had an organisation to cater for their professional needs. Professionally these functions are in a void somewhere between the accountancy and personnel management spheres of responsibility. In my opinion the complexities of wages etc. administration warrants the creation of a specialist organisation. During the last few years Wages etc. administration has acquired a new dimension of importance and the solving of problems associated with pay has become a rational problem. If any of your readers are interested in assisting in the creation of this new professional body or of giving moral support will they please write to me at my home address, [xxxxxxxxxxx], Liverpool, L13 6RT. George Powell Salaries & Wages Officer Merseyside P.T.E.
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 69 | April 2021
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