Technology - Automation
Passionate about payroll automation
MariaMasonMCIPPdip, UK payroll director, Business Services & Outsourcing at BDO, shares her insights into successful payroll automation and the benefits it delivers
Could you outline some of the payroll-related automation projects that you have been involved in at BDO? Automation projects are a key focus for BDO. Over the past twelve months, our firm’s automation team has delivered over 35 processes across the business. Payroll has led the way on much of the change that’s then been rolled out across the wider firm. As someone who is passionate about technology being utilised in payroll, it is fantastic to work within a business that shares this passion. One of the first robotics projects we completed was the automation of payroll billing, and this approach has now been rolled out across other business streams. Our clients tell us they choose BDO due to our using best-of-breed technology to manage the complexities of their payroll, while gaining the highest level of efficiencies. We’re driven to ensure we comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at all times and reduce all areas of
risk associated with the movement of data. Using robotics helps us to achieve this. Payroll involves numerous repetitive, mundane and time-consuming tasks each period, many associated with relatively high risk due to the nature of the data we deal with. These tasks are prime targets for ...clients tell us they choose BDO due to our use best-of-breed technology to manage the complexities of their payroll, while gaining the highest level of efficiencies.
robotics – freeing up advisors’ time to work on more value add tasks. We’re currently applying robotics in a number of cases within payroll, including: ● raising of clients’ billing and dispatch to client ● password protection and moving payroll reports from the payroll system to the secure shared client platform ● moving the electronic payslip file from the payroll system to the electronic payslip portal ● moving pension reporting to the provider’s specific system and uploading the file into the system. Outside of robotics we look to utilise system functionality to the fullest. Payroll systems and technology platforms often have great functionality to manage complex pay calculations or upload data direct into the system. However, this can be difficult and time-consuming to customise initially, with the result that workarounds or manual interventions continue. For all clients being on-boarded, we work with them to take information direct from relevant systems, such as HR (human resources), time and attendance, and expenses. Uploading directly into the payroll system removes the need for rekeying, so saving time and reducing risk. Projects in these areas have included: ● introduction of automated timesheet or data uploads for large multi-sited clients ● production of pre-populated timesheets for completion by clients ● automation of complex sick scheme and holiday pay calculations within the payroll system.
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 67 | February 2021
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