REWARD
Let’s get excited about payroll
Leon Juice, Chief Executive Officer, Duvet Flip, and Liam McCarthy MCIPP, Payroll Lead at Office for National Statistics, share why there’s actually nothing boring about payroll and exactly why people should be getting more interested in payroll as a career and in understanding the importance of the industry
Why should younger people be excited about the prospect of a career in payroll? Leon Juice: One of the most rewarding parts of my job is paying my team. It’s not about the transaction; it’s about what that money enables. It’s helping someone book their first holiday, support their parents, move into a new place or just sleep easier at night. My very first payslip? I used it to buy my parents a portable back massage pad to thank them for everything. That’s the kind of emotional power tied to payroll. Payroll is so much more than admin – it’s giving people access to opportunity, dignity and security. You’re not just paying people; you’re helping fuel their life goals. I’ve met two incredible young people working in payroll recently through the CIPP, and their energy was contagious. We need more like them. The future of payroll is bright, human and full of impact. And young people bring exactly the curiosity and compassion the profession needs to keep evolving. Liam McCarthy: Payroll is an extremely
Does a payroll professional have to learn ‘on the job’ or can they learn via professional qualifications? LJ: Both. Some people thrive in academic environments – my younger brother was that kind of learner. I was the opposite. I wasn’t a straight-A student, but once I left school, I realised I learned best by doing. The real world became my classroom. To me, life is like a toolbox. Every experience you go through adds another tool you can use later. When you face something you’ve encountered before, you know exactly which tool to reach for. Payroll is no different. You can absolutely gain knowledge through professional qualifications, and that foundation is critical. But some of the most important lessons, like handling sensitive conversations, solving payroll issues under pressure or navigating compliance updates, are best learned on the job. The key is keeping the door open for both types of people: the academically gifted and the experiential learners. Payroll is a big tent, and we need everyone under it.
rewarding career choice. It’s a large responsibility having to get people’s pay correct pay day to pay day, and the appreciation given to you by employees and management can provide a feeling immense satisfaction. I think now is an especially exciting time for someone to start a career in payroll. As we move into the world of working with artificial intelligence, I believe it will open a range of new avenues for enhancing the profession. Younger people coming into the profession now have a huge opportunity to reshape the way payrolls are run for the future by using the vast array of technology available. Once you’ve gained a deep understanding of the profession, it’s then in your own power to enhance your career, and the ceiling can be as high as you want it. The payroll community is one of kindness and support, and as someone in ‘Gen Z’ that started my career at 18, I feel like I was welcomed with open arms as a young person, and this continues to be the case.
PROFESSI NAL in Payroll, Pensions and Reward
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June 2025 | Issue 111
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