COMPLIANCE
A good fit: finding your feet in payroll
REPRINTED FROM AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2024 PAYTECH
Billy Meyerkorth, CPP, owner and consultant of Billy Meyerkorth Consulting, suggests how payroll professionals can discover their niche and get the most out of their careers so they make a choice they won’t regret
W e have all heard the stories of how people didn’t choose a payroll career, but instead a payroll career chose them. While that may be true for some payroll professionals, it isn’t true for all. Whether payroll was your first choice or not, the fact is you are here, and it’s extremely important that you’re excited about your job and make it a good fit for you. As many of us know, payroll is not necessarily a one-size-fits-all ensemble. There are varying differences between industries. Payroll might be payroll, but certain industries have a reputation for being more complex, more employee- centered, etc. Therefore, it is essential that you discover your payroll niche. What type of payroll do you feel fits your talents and skill sets the best? You can look at various levels of complications in industries / companies to determine this. Some professionals crave ever-changing challenges, while others prefer a steady routine. Consider companies and payrolls that include union employees. They add another dimension and difficulty level to payroll (and human resources as well). Collective bargaining agreements
another whole set of rules to follow. This type of payroll involves dealing with unions, change to labour relations, and hand-holding employees and union representatives. Think about the size of the organisation. Typically, a larger company brings a more complex payroll. How many employees do you want to be responsible for paying? How many states and localities do you want to pay in? There isn’t a right or wrong answer, just a number of factors to consider. While looking at company size, what size team do you prefer to work on? Find your comfort zone. Many payroll professionals prefer a ‘one-person show’ or small team, while others really enjoy working within a large team or department. There are pros and cons to both, so find which fits you best. Larger payroll teams and departments usually bring different opportunities for growth or movement, including potential promotions to director or vice president positions. Many companies don’t have these types of positions for payroll; however, larger organisations may. So, consider where and what level or title you’d like to obtain. As I have outlined, there are several issues to think about when you enter
the payroll industry, regardless of how you got there. Where do you see yourself fit the best? Remember, it’s your life and career, so make sure it’s one that makes you happy. Whether you’re focused on industry, company size, team size, opportunities, remote working, location or something entirely different, you must find the right professional fit for you. So, think about it, put your ideas out there, and make a choice you won’t regret. Payroll is an amazing career to pursue, and there are a lot of decisions to make to help you get the best from it. n PayrollOrg (PAYO), https://ow.ly/ wLps50PNR1g, is the leader in global payroll education, publication and training. This nonprofit association conducts more than 300 payroll training conferences and seminars across the globe each year and publishes a complete library of resource texts and newsletters. Representing more than 19,000 members, PayrollOrg is the industry’s highly respected and collective voice in Washington, D.C. Get more information at https:// ow.ly/aEcc50PNR4E and https:// ow.ly/16WJ50PNR73.
between an employer and a union representing employees provide
* This article relates to US payroll practices.
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 104 | October 2024
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