REWARD
Our thriving payroll community
Lora Murphy MCIPPdip, CIPP editor , discusses the amazing community feeling we see throughout the payroll industry, and highlights some of the places payroll professionals can go to ask questions or to air their concerns
O ne of the things that makes me proud to work in the payroll industry is the amazing community we have: payroll professionals love to help one another and to share tips and best practice ideas with their peers. Here, we look at some of the groups which embody the ‘family feel’ of the profession and highlight some of the places you can go for advice / guidance or just for a good rant! Now, I automatically think of LinkedIn when I think of work-related social media platforms, but Facebook is also a hive of activity for payroll professionals. Several groups have been launched to allow those working in payroll to ask their questions and seek advice, two of which are the Payroll Ninjas and the UK Payroll Professionals Group. We hear from the creators of those two groups below.
applied and was selected for the payroll role, so I always joke that the job found me. “In my early days on the job, I was exposed to numbers, calculations and regulations, and was eager to learn the ins and outs of payroll. Very soon I discovered a passion for the work. The technical aspect of the job is very important but behind every payslip, there’s a human being. Our work has a direct impact on employees’ livelihoods, so payroll isn’t just a job; it’s a responsibility. That’s why our small payroll team works like a well-oiled machine, smoothly and efficiently, to ensure all payrolls are processed with accuracy and on time. “Our work has a direct impact “I created the UK Payroll Professionals Group in August 2019. Although there’s support available from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and payroll software helplines, I thought it would be great to have a space where payroll specialists could connect and support one another. I recognised the importance of peer support in overcoming challenges and coping with difficult circumstances. Little did I know that six months later, payroll would face on employees’ livelihoods, so payroll isn’t just a job; it’s a responsibility”
possibly its biggest challenge, which was the coronavirus job retention scheme (CJRS). The CJRS presented significant challenges for payroll professionals, requiring them to adapt quickly to changing regulations while supporting both employers and employees. This was the time when we welcomed the highest number of new members. It was heartwarming when we all got together and supported each other, not only by sharing knowledge, but also by exchanging words of encouragement. Although we were locked in our houses and separated from our work colleagues, knowing that we weren’t alone gave us enormous strength, power and the will to persevere. “The group is still growing which proves that we need that extra ongoing support from our payroll peers. We’re always ready to help those who are at the beginning of their career paths but it’s also not unusual to see a question from experienced colleagues. We all need that extra reassurance sometimes.”
UK PAYROLL PROFESSIONALS GROUP
PAYROLL NINJAS
Justyna Letkiewicz , Creator of the group Payroll manager, Bishops Chartered Accountants
Sarah Sharpe MCIPP , Creator of the group Payroll manager, Kent Finance
“I always wanted to work in accounting. Apparently, the universe had a different plan for me and one day, I found a newsletter in my mailbox with a job opening for a payroll assistant position at a well-known Chartered accountants. I
“I began my human resources (HR) and payroll journey in 2008, when I secured a position as a part-time HR / payroll administrator. At the time, I had a young daughter at nursery and three children in school, so life was pretty busy. I decided I
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | May 2024 | Issue 100 40
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