Personal Development
Become a qualified professional at the forefront of your industry.
Diary of a student…
Gain an understanding of the complex legislation surrounding payroll administration; alongside transferable skills including performance, time, project and operational management. Foundation Degree inPayroll Management
EmilyMinshall ACIPP Payroll officer, Swansway Garages
Tell us about your background and life I started as an administration apprentice in 2013. Most people say they ‘fell into payroll’, but I asked to go into the payroll department to cover an employee’s maternity leave. Though I thought a button was pressed and everyone was paid, I knew there was more to it than that and was intrigued to see what that entailed. Little did I know how much I would enjoy it – and now I can’t see myself in any other career. I was in the payroll department for the rest of my apprenticeship, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I love the responsibility of processing employees’ pay so they are able to pay bills and put food on the table. I’ve been a payroll administrator for seven years, and processed payroll for hundreds of clients, some of them household names. Why did you choose to study the Foundation Degree in Payroll Management? I wanted to progress in my payroll career. Starting my career straight from college, I felt I wasn’t taken seriously due to my age. After four years as a payroll administrator and still passionate about my job, I got a student loan to study the Foundation Degree. Like most people in payroll, we are perfectionists; so, learning in depth is reassuring for both the company and employees that we are processing payroll correctly every month. Howdid you find the qualification? The CIPP is enormously recognised, with most employers requesting that a payroll manager has a CIPP qualification. I knew people who had highly recommended it. I found the qualification extremely fulfilling and knowledgeable. The module and personal tutors are supportive in any queries or concerns. What advice would you give to others who are thinking about studying in order to improve their career?
I can’t recommend it enough. The three years spent studying impacts your career tremendously; by hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything you want. I recommend going to every module workshop as these are essential for full understanding in order to pass the modules. How did you manage the work-life balance and your study? Do you have any tips for others in the same position? My work-life balance was good, and my employer allowed study time during off- peak payroll periods. I was able to use a quiet office environment to write my assignments or to revise for exams. My tip would be to ask your employer if that could be an option. What would you say is the most important thing you learnt? I learnt to calculate payroll manually. By having this ability, I feel more confident in my abilities and I can continue to process payroll if the payroll system fails. I also learnt how one error can have a huge impact, and that’s why it’s vital to have a UK university-recognised Foundation Degree to ensure full understanding of the payments and deductions being processed. What did you gain from this qualification – both in terms of skills and also career progression? I gained recognition that my hard work and dedication was appreciated. My career has progressed as I am much more knowledgeable now and I am trusted to take on more responsibility. I am incredibly grateful that CIPP provides this career development and glad that I decided to gain a qualification that will help my career. n
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 67 | February 2021
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