REWARD
Changing the language of payroll
I joined BDO as a director. At the time, payroll wasn’t perceived as a valued stream to warrant a partner role. The business wasn’t profitable, and it lacked structure and technology. I worked with the team to implement best-of-breed software and platforms and improve processes. In 2021, I became the first payroll specialist partner in the top 20 UK accounting firms, and by 2023, I had made the fastest move to equity partner in the firm. In 2024, I sponsored Paul Hammond (formerly a national payroll director) for his partnership, making BDO the only accountancy firm in the UK with two payroll specialist partners. Today, payroll services is a £5 million stream and a very profitable business. “My advice to my team and mentees – and to other aspiring payroll professionals – is to speak in a One of the biggest challenges our function has faced has been gaining trust and the understanding of the wider business and the ear of the C-suite, ensuring our voices are heard. I’m known for being passionate and having a voice that carries, but I’ve learned that it’s not the volume that really gets people listening. Instead, it’s the language I use that ensures my message resonates with those outside of the profession. By positioning ourselves as reliable custodians of critical business data, we’ve demonstrated that payroll isn’t just about delivering weekly or monthly payslips. But instead it’s the control room for an organisation’s most valuable asset – its people. By leveraging the cutting-edge technology available to us, payroll teams now provide real-time people and cost insights which are crucial for strategic decision-making, risk mitigation and value generation, reinforcing our role language that translates and offers solutions, not issues”
as a trusted partner for the business. Through consistent delivery and clear communication, we’ve established ourselves as an integral part of the organisation’s success, proving that our focus on people isn’t (and never has been) a push-button process, but a cornerstone of business growth. My advice to my team and mentees – and to other aspiring payroll professionals – is to speak in a language that translates and offers solutions, not issues. Using risk, value and data-led insights as narrating points in meetings helps everyone resonate with the importance of payroll. Supporting and uplifting the profession I’ve enjoyed plenty of highlights over the course of my career. Graduating with my payroll degree in 2002 was a very pivotal moment, especially given that I started it when my daughter was only six months old. Becoming a partner at BDO and making a swift move to equity partner was also a defining moment, demonstrating how perceptions of payroll are changing in the accountancy arena. More recently, being the recipient of the CIPP Luminary Award for two consecutive years was a huge honour and something I’ll always be immensely grateful for. Of course, becoming a Chartered member of the CIPP has truly been a highlight of my career. Chartered institutions like the CIPP are an integral part of the payroll profession. These institutions set the standard for excellence, ensuring professionals like you and I are equipped with the knowledge and skills we need to navigate the complexities of payroll. They provide a framework for continuous learning and
development, which is crucial in a field which is constantly evolving. “It’s the language I use that ensures my message resonates with those outside of the profession” Looking back, I would tell my younger self to trust their instincts more and move on earlier when a role wasn’t right. I now know I would only work for a firm that supports and respects me as a payroll expert and understands the full potential of the payroll profession. My advice is to educate yourself about the full range of pathways available to young payroll professionals. Consider what meshes with your skills and interests, focus on what you want to achieve, set regular milestones and surround yourself with supportive individuals. Good colleagues and managers will understand and support your passion to succeed, as well as the need to slow down and prioritise wellbeing when life presents you with challenges. My team, my colleagues and my friends in the pay and reward profession are my main source of motivation and inspiration. I’m privileged to work with a great team, and their development is a legacy I hope to leave. There’s still much to do in growing payroll within BDO, exploring new advisory areas and raising the profile of payroll. It’s our responsibility to use our voices to elevate the profession and ensure payroll professionals have a seat at the top table.
PROFESSI NAL in Payroll, Pensions and Reward
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June 2025 | Issue 111
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