MY CIPP
Sarah Smith MCIPPdip Policy and research officer
Tell us, how did your career in payroll start? I was working part-time in a book shop on a low wage with no career prospects and my son had just settled into school, so I had more time and flexibility. I knew I wanted a successful career and to provide for my family, but I had no direction. I was positive I could get my foot in the door somewhere with opportunities and I could prove myself through hard work. I applied for a work-based learning course, where I would study an NVQ in college while volunteering in the workplace to gain experience. I decided I wanted to work for the local council, which I was told wasn’t an option, as they didn’t accept volunteer work placements any more. So, I contacted various departments at the council’s head office myself, asking them to give me the opportunity. One manager agreed to let me volunteer in the human resources team. I also persuaded the finance manager to let me help in my free time and when there was no college. At the end of the course, the payroll manager asked if I’d like to interview for an internal data entry position they were recruiting for. I got the job, which involved entering thousands of mileage claims onto the payroll system each month. A few months later, I was approached by my manager, asking if I would be interested in a payroll administrator position which was about to become available. I had zero knowledge of payroll, but she supported me up until the interview and opened my eyes to the world of payroll. Needless to say, I was completely hooked, and had found my career path. How did you then move into the CIPP’s policy team? I had a little career break after having my
two youngest children. They’re only 12 months apart. I wanted to get back to work but wasn’t sure what the best option was, with having such a young family. Operational payroll has many time restrictions and commitments which would restrict the work-life balance I need while my children are so young. But I wasn’t prepared to leave payroll after working so hard to get to where I am now. During my job search, I was contacted by an agency asking if I would be interested in a different type of payroll position. I was intrigued, so I agreed to apply. Before the interview, I did a lot of research into working for the CIPP and what was involved in the role. After an initial informal chat with Samantha O’Sullivan, I knew that this was the role I wanted. I retracted all the job applications I had made and cancelled the interviews I already had lined up. Two interviews, an hour of competency- based questions, a presentation and written article later, I was offered the job. What skills does a policy team member need to have? The role requires knowledge of operational payroll and an understanding of legislation and the processes around it. I would say the most important part is to have a passion for payroll and a strong willingness to learn. The world of payroll is continuously progressing; it never stands still. There will always be room for developing knowledge and areas to upskill on. It’s a privilege to be in a role which allows me to do that while helping to inform our members of what they need to know through articles, news posts and presentations. Did you study a specific course to help you enter this career? At the start of my payroll journey, and for
many years, I had no formal training on payroll. It was a ‘learn-as-you-go’ exercise and with each role and new company I worked for, I found that I would learn something new. When I discovered the CIPP, it became my goal to complete the Foundation Degree in Payroll Management. After years of trying to convince employers to fund the course, I eventually started working for a company that supported staff and committed to the growth of their employees. I enrolled for the autumn 2019 intake and three years, two babies and a global pandemic later, I graduated and got to walk across the stage of the Symphony Hall in Birmingham. I have found recently that there are increasingly more recruiting employers who are looking for payroll professionals who hold the CIPP qualification, or who are at least working towards it. This definitely wasn’t the case when I started in payroll.
What advice would you give to someone who is just at the start
of their payroll career? Take advantage of every learning
opportunity. Whether it be with free bite- size webinars, payroll update courses or full study for qualifications. There have been points in my career at which I thought I knew all things payroll, but I was very wrong. This may sound like it’s because I work for the CIPP but, honestly, one of my biggest mistakes was not taking full advantage of my CIPP membership for years. The organisation provides so much help and support, which is available at your fingertips. I was too busy trying to figure it out by myself. Working in payroll is an exciting and rewarding career - enjoy it. n
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 99 | April 2024
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