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run calculations, but it can’t explain a complex pay issue to an anxious employee. In essence, it can’t build trust. The future of payroll isn’t humans versus AI. It’s humans using AI well. MM: The fundamentals are: 1. Technical accuracy and legislative knowledge. 2. Strong numerical and analytical ability. 3. Attention to detail and a compliance mindset. However, over the next five years, three additional skill sets will become integral to the role, including: 1. Digital literacy: understanding systems, automation logic and data structures. 2. Risk awareness: recognising compliance
exposure and control weaknesses. 3. Communication skills: translating complexity into clarity for non-specialists. AI will handle repetition. What it cannot replace is judgment, accountability and trusted advisory capability. The payroll professionals who succeed will be those who combine technical mastery with systems thinking and the confidence to engage strategically with the wider business. CW: The world of payroll is always evolving, so it’s key for anyone in pay to remain upskilled. Membership with the CIPP supports in this area, as members can attend the BeConnected events ahead of each new tax year, ensuring they remain compliant with new rates, thresholds and any other changes.
They can also attend our BeKnowledgeable updates throughout the year, upskilling them on hot topics in the industry. Qualifications and training are also imperative to ensuring you can remain compliant in your practice. Reading through this very magazine keeps you up to date with advancements in the industry and so does every time you talk to my wonderful Advisory team.
Lora Murphy MCIPPdip
CIPP Content Editor
Beyond the basics: strengthening payroll continuity in the SaaS era Five top tips for creating business continuity plans that are unique to payroll
P ayroll is more than just a business function — it’s a trust mechanism between employer and employee.” I thoroughly enjoyed Russell Webb’s article in the July / August 2025 issue of Professional : https://ow.ly/KJYt50Yen2X. I wholeheartedly agree with his emphasis on the criticality of payroll-specific business continuity plans (BCPs). As a Manager of a UK payroll team operating within a ‘software as a solution’ (SaaS) environment, I see first-hand that although most organisations have a generic BCP, very few have one tailored to the precise timing, compliance and data sensitivity unique to payroll. In the SaaS era, our reliance on third- party systems means continuity planning must extend beyond in-house processes to include robust recovery strategies and offline access to key payroll inputs. Five practical enhancements for SaaS-based payroll BCPs 1. Redundant, encrypted backups Never rely solely on your SaaS provider. Maintain periodic encrypted snapshots of payroll data stored in alternate, secure
l initial response: deciding whether to invoke the BCP l continuity: moving to manual or alternative systems to ensure timely payments l restoration: returning to the primary system once stable, and documenting lessons learned. Practical takeaways A payroll continuity plan is more than an operational safeguard. It’s a commitment to protecting employee livelihoods. By combining robust backups, secure access to supporting data and tested recovery processes, organisations can uphold payroll integrity in even the most challenging of circumstances. I encourage fellow CIPP members and payroll leaders to share their SaaS-specific continuity strategies so we can strengthen resilience across the profession.
locations within UK / EU jurisdictions to ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation. 2. Data vault for supporting documents Alongside system backups, maintain a secure, cloud-based data vault to hold critical supporting records (such as timesheets, overtime claims, contractual changes and approvals), ensuring payroll can still be calculated accurately if your primary system is offline. 3. Regular testing and simulation Conduct annual (or more frequent) table-top and live disruption exercises involving payroll, human resources, finance and information technology teams. Testing validates not only technology but also the speed and clarity of decision-making and communication. 4. Pre-approved communication protocols Pre-prepare stakeholder notifications, escalation routes and contact lists so essential messages reach banks, employees and leadership without delay during a disruption.
Kristy Read MCIPPdip UK Payroll Manager, AB Agri
5. Tiered recovery strategy Design a plan which covers:
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