FEATURE TOPIC
calculate adjustments or who seldom apply the proper formula for calculating average weekly earnings. There are many circumstances in which self-taught / organisational methods are fine providing they produce the correct result. But to have that validation through a recognised qualification often gives people the confidence they need to take the next steps in their career. JW: Qualifications are a thorny question. I know a lot of successful payroll professionals who have not taken a qualification, but I also know a lot who have. Personally, I enjoy learning, and since deciding to commit to payroll and pensions I have taken a Level 5 BTEC in payroll management and applied for and successfully achieved Chartered status with the CIPP. I have now embarked upon the MSc in Strategic Leadership to gain a Level 7 qualification. For me, the learning is an opportunity to meet with others at a similar professional level, to show employers and other stakeholders my skills and to reassure myself that there are no gaps in my knowledge. If someone is new to the payroll profession, which should they prioritise – work experience or qualifications? VG: Both work experience and qualifications are equally important. Someone starting their career within payroll should seek to take every opportunity presented to them. Qualifications will teach the principles of payroll, and support knowledge and understanding of payroll calculations, legislation and processing. They will give you an overview of what should be done within payroll departments and things to consider in relation to payroll systems, security and risk. Qualifications will also support you in building your professional network and learning from the experiences of others, by providing the opportunity to discuss different scenarios and ways of doing things that you may not have come across otherwise. As with most things in life, experience also plays an important role in deepening understanding and knowledge. Payroll is a very emotive subject for people as it’s literally their livelihood – this means that human connection and empathy play an important part in delivering payroll services to employees and clients. Putting things learnt through education into practice can be very different to the textbook solution. This could be for many reasons but will develop your
ability to adapt and change based on the situation presented to you. Although everyone will be different, for me, prioritisation of qualifications is important, as understanding the theory will give you a head start when presented with situations within payroll you haven’t experienced before and provides a professional support network of people outside your own organisation that you can discuss scenarios with, to gain a different perspective. SJ: If someone was new to the profession, I’d be a huge advocate of the payroll apprenticeship Level 3, which combines both work experience and qualifications. Ultimately, work experience and qualifications go hand in hand and together create a great platform on which to build a payroll career. NP: This is why the payroll apprenticeship route is so great – you can do both! You’ll gain valuable experience on the job while being guaranteed at least six hours per week (for a full-time apprentice) of off-the-job training. "Payroll is a very emotive subject for people as it’s literally their livelihood" JW: I would say it depends on the entry point. If you’re coming in as an administrator, I would be looking for some transferrable skills, a positive attitude and an interest in the industry; training can then be provided. If you’re coming in from another sector as, say, a team leader, technical specialist or the like, then a qualification would show you were committed to this career move and help you gain an advantage at interview. How should payroll professionals keep up to date with changing legislation and terms of service? VG: I would encourage anyone working in payroll, or with responsibility for payroll, to become a member of the CIPP so you have access to updates regarding legislative changes and best practice within the industry. As well as knowing what changes are coming, membership also provides you with access to the Advisory Service
to establish what any changes mean for your organisation and discounts on training courses relating to hot topics such as holiday pay and national minimum wage compliance. Payroll professionals should also have a working partnership with software providers to understand what they’re doing within their software to comply with changes to legislation and how that impacts your organisation. And again, take advantage of any education and networking opportunities presented to you – they will be an excellent opportunity to find out what’s going on in the world of payroll and to challenge your interpretation of those changes and their implications. SJ: The CIPP updates are an essential tool I use, including News Online and BeKnowledgeable webinars. Linkedin is a great place to stay up to date, as is subscribing to a few key publications such as HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC’s) Employer Bulletin . I also ensure my team has a payroll update course delivered in-house annually. NP: You must take personal ownership of your continuing professional development (CPD) – nobody else is going to. It very much helps to have a genuine interest in the subject because you must be prepared to read. Reading is one thing, but the ability to absorb, synthesise and apply what you’ve read are a whole other discipline. Luckily, we have great resources (like this magazine!), which means you don’t have to wade through the source legislation. Join groups and participate in ongoing industry conversations. One of the best ways to test your understanding of a subject is to attempt to teach it to others. With each new legislative change, consider how you’d explain it to a colleague. If you wouldn’t know where to start, you need to revisit the reading material and refine your own understanding until you’ve shaped it into something you could convey to others. JW: Keeping up to date is a never-ending task for payroll and pension professionals. So, it’s often a question candidates are asked at interview. I have a huge folder of internet bookmarks which are my go-to areas. To keep up with legislation I bookmark primary legislation and am also signed up for several newsletters from HMRC, various law firms, software providers and so on. For breaking news, I find the CIPP’s News Online and following payroll tags on LinkedIn keep me informed. n
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | February 2024 | Issue 97 30
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