MY CIPP
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rules were implemented in the public sector. The term ‘baptism of fire’ does not even begin to cut it, but after the dust had settled, my team and I had a better collective knowledge of the off-payroll working rules and I had a much-improved knowledge of payroll processes. What aspects of your new role are you looking forward to the most? I am eager to meet lots of new people in the profession, as well as raising the profile of payroll in the wider business world. Payroll, as the pandemic has demonstrated, is an essential part of any business’s workforce and structure. Hopefully, as part of the policy team, I can make sure everyone outside of the payroll profession knows that. What skills does a policy team member need to have? They need to be adaptable to change, as the team always needs to be on top of the latest developments, getting updates out to members. What advice would you give to someone who is just at the start of their payroll career? Utilise all the resources available to you. Everyone was new once and did not know anything beyond how to read their own payslip. However, there is information all around you, whether that be within your own organisation or a quick internet search away. If you do not know the answer, there is someone out there who does. All you need to do is find them. ■
MathewAkrigg ACIPP CIPP policy and research officer
How did you start your payroll career? An agency approached me with a payroll job close to my home. I had minimal previous involvement with payroll, but due to my accounting background, I possessed many transferrable skills for the role. The rest is history. How did you then move into the CIPP’s policy team? Following promotion to a payroll team leader role, I was searching for my next challenge. I saw the job listing for policy and research officer and was instantly intrigued. The role and its responsibilities were like nothing I had seen before, and after a tough interview process, thankfully, the team wanted me to join them as much as I did. Did you study a specific course to help you enter this career? I completed the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Diploma in Accounting. The course prepared me for work within a professional environment and equipped me with some of the skills required to excel in payroll. I have now been enrolled on the CIPP Foundation Degree and can’t
wait to see where it takes both me and my career.
Was there a moment in your life or career that made you want to work in payroll? I love to absorb information. I can sometimes be a bit of a useless fact generator, but with payroll constantly evolving, I found I enjoyed keeping on top of changes that were relevant to the role I was in and keeping the team around me updated too. How does it feel knowing that you have made, and are making, a positive difference through your guidance and advice? Whether it is guiding a colleague through a particularly tough calculation or explaining payroll processes in a way they will understand, nothing beats the thanks you receive when it is all done. What has been your biggest sense of achievement in your career so far? Not long after commencing my previous role, which involved processing outsourced payrolls for the National Health Service (NHS), off-payroll working
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | November 2021 | Issue 7 5 8
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