PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
# Be Payroll Michael McAllister MCIPP, Partner, Head of Payroll Services, Johnston Carmichael Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, shares details of his payroll career and the benefits of CIPP membership
How did you enter into payroll? Like many, I found myself in payroll almost by accident. Fresh out of Lloyds Bank following its merger with Bank of Scotland, I walked into the nearest recruitment agency in search of a new role. After passing the typing and maths tests (remember those?), I was offered a trainee position with a firm of Chartered accountants. My first manager in payroll, Sandra, played a huge role in shaping my career. She taught me what I now consider ‘true payroll,’ having me manually prepare P11s, P14s and P35s to fully grasp the fundamental processes. We were also required to complete a manual calculation each month and present it for review, something that still makes me shudder when I think about my first K code. Back then, payroll was often overlooked, seen as a necessity rather than an area worth investing in. As I’ve progressed, I’m pleased to see how far the profession has come. Sandra taught me many invaluable lessons, not just about payroll but also about handling client relationships, using a fax machine and having vision. I remember her telling me one day we’d have payroll files filling the entire room and be the biggest team there. While we’ve moved away from paper files, I still carry that vision forward. Who else has influenced you? Another pivotal figure in my journey was Stuart, a director and close friend who invested in my development. He played a crucial role in shaping my senior career, guiding me towards achieving partnership at the age of 31. Stuart taught me the art of business development – how to build relationships, create opportunities and grow a service line strategically. He also instilled in me the importance of staying true to myself in my work. In an industry where technical expertise is crucial, Stuart showed me that authenticity and integrity are just as vital in earning trust and respect. His mentorship was transformative, giving me the confidence to take on leadership responsibilities while staying grounded in my core values. His lessons still influence how I approach my role, team and clients. On
a more comical note, we now go head-to- head for client opportunities, which keeps us both on our toes. Do you have any tips for people just entering the profession? Only do it if you genuinely care. Payroll is more than just numbers. It requires a deep understanding of the impact your work has on employees and businesses alike. Whether you're in-house or working for a bureau, always consider both the employee, who relies on accurate pay, and the employer, who trusts you to ensure compliance and efficiency. I strongly recommend pushing for investment in qualifications. Studying can be daunting, but it sets you apart and provides well-earned recognition for your expertise. Where do you see payroll going? Payrollers will only become more sought after. With benefits in kind increasingly shifting into payroll, our role is expanding. Artificial intelligence will help streamline administrative tasks, providing better management information. But it won’t replace the need for trusted professionals to oversee payroll. I’ve been vocal about the way we title our roles because I believe we often undersell ourselves. At the very least, we’re payroll specialists. If you compare our profession to human resources (HR) or finance, there’s still a gap in recognition. However, the industry is evolving, and I believe we’ll continue to see payrollers take on more strategic and advisory roles. What’s your current role like? I’m currently a partner at Johnston Carmichael, a Chartered accountancy firm within Moore Global. It’s great to be part of a niche group within the accountancy sector, where payroll is growing in prominence. My role involves a mix of operations, people management and business development. Our payroll team is in great shape, and we’ve recently launched our five-year strategy to strengthen our position as we head towards 2030. In addition to my work at Johnston Carmichael, I’m also a tutor with The Payroll Centre, which gives me the opportunity to
support clients across the UK in all things payroll, HR and employment tax.
What’s your favourite thing about your job? It’s the people. I love working with a team and helping everyone develop. Being in charge doesn’t mean you have all the answers; it means relying on those around you for support and collaboration. I couldn’t imagine working in a role where I didn’t have a close team to share ideas, challenges and successes with. How long have you been a member of the CIPP? I’ve been a member of the CIPP since 2013. How has the CIPP supported you throughout your career? The CIPP has been instrumental in my career, providing a strong professional network, valuable training opportunities and essential updates on legislative changes. Payroll is a complex and ever-changing field, and having access to expert insights, events and resources has been invaluable. Beyond individual support, the CIPP plays a critical role in giving payrollers a collective voice. It advocates for our sector, ensuring payroll is recognised as a vital function in business. It’s reassuring to know we have an organisation dedicated to promoting and advancing our profession. Why should payrollers become CIPP members? Becoming a CIPP member isn’t just about having a qualification, it’s about joining a community that understands and values payroll. Membership provides access to training, networking opportunities and the latest industry insights, helping you stay ahead in your career. More importantly, the CIPP ensures payrollers have representation at a national level. They work to influence policy, raise awareness of the challenges we face and promote the strategic importance of payroll. If we want to continue elevating our profession, being part of the CIPP is a great way to contribute to that progress. n
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 110 | May 2025
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