CAREER DEVELOPMENT INSIGHT
Diary of a student…
Samuel Worf Spicer MCIPPdip Assistant manager, Wilkins Kennedy LLP
How did you cope with the work-life balance and your study? With copious amounts of tea and a few late nights. Admittedly, year two was far easier for me to manage my study and work-life balance but year three was a real struggle, given the sudden change in circumstances. Luckily, studying came a bit more naturally to me due to not-long being out of ‘school mode’ if you were. I mainly studied at each spare opportunity I had – lunchtime at work, late nights and whilst travelling as a passenger to name a few. My employer granted me some study leave in order to complete my final dissertation which helped get me over the finish line. Did the fact that the CIPP is Chartered or recognised within the industry influence your decision to enrol with the CIPP? And were there any particular modules which were of interest prior to enrolling? Of course – the CIPP is the largest Chartered body dedicated to payroll, especially as the degree is accredited by the University of Worcester. Every module was useful, and some were more challenging than others; for example, when trying to apply my learning to a bureau environment as opposed to industry. Understanding customers and clients and the leadership modules were topics that interested me the most. For someone who is thinking about studying for a CIPP qualification, what would your advice be to them? Take the opportunity with both hands. The course offers potential students a recognised qualification as well as enhanced skills and knowledge to take away to the workplace. The course is stressful at times, but the graduation ceremony is well worthwhile (and the sandwiches provided at the review days sweetens the blow). n
Can you give us a brief background on your life? I was born and bred in Orpington, Kent and have been with my current employer for nearly five years. After completing my A-levels in 2012, my original intention was to study to become a design and technology secondary school teacher. Due to a lack of uptake the course did not go ahead, so upon my return from a two- month trip to Australia I decided to pursue an apprenticeship. I used to enjoy playing rugby every weekend, but a recent shoulder reconstruction has converted me from player to a supporter. Can you give us an insight into your career and qualifications background? Having returned to the UK and a few interviews later, I began my career with Wilkins Kennedy LLP in September 2012 as an accounts apprentice, splitting my time between payroll and accounts. I finished studying the Association of Accounting Technician level two qualification and made the ‘weird’ decision (not my word!) to progress my career in payroll rather than accounts. I enrolled on the Payroll Technician Certificate, offered by the CIPP in September 2013 and passed in February 2014. Seeking further development, my employer funded my enrolment onto the Foundation Degree in Payroll Management (year two) in autumn 2014. A member of the team left suddenly in October 2015 and I was subsequently promoted from payroll junior to payroll supervisor; just in time for my
final year of study for my degree and before my 22nd birthday. After graduating in November 2016, I was promoted to assistant manager in 2017 and now oversee a team of four processing 300 client payrolls over a range of frequencies. Why did you choose to study the Foundation Degree? My ambition and excitement after completing the Payroll Technician Certificate led me to present a business case to my employer to study the Foundation Degree. The degree came highly recommended as being the industry-leading course in terms of payroll which was also accredited by the University of Worcester. Not only did the course provide me with advanced knowledge of payroll processing and legislative updates, it helped shape my leadership style and operational thinking in line with my new role at the time. How important is this degree in relation to your career? I believe the degree is instrumental in improving career opportunities. It is more sought-after by potential employers than ever before and studying the degree sets you apart from other candidates. Studying payroll further since leaving school has allowed me to achieve a lot at a relatively young age and puts me in good stead for bigger and better things in years to come. The year-three syllabus also provides you with transferable skills that can be applied to different industries other than payroll, further widening your scope for a career move.
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | September 2018 | Issue 43 12
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