Career development insight
PAS – case study
Bishop Fleming Payroll Services (part of Bishop Fleming LLP and Kreston International)
The Payroll Assurance Scheme – an accreditation available from the CIPP – provides payroll departments with assurance that: ● their payroll and associated processes are fit for purpose and comply with government legislation ● they have the right payroll activities in place, and ● they have suitable processes in place for picking up and preparing for legislative changes. Very. PAS gives our clients the peace of mind that we really do know what we are doing; and Bishop Fleming have been audited by the official chartered body that has looked at our processes, procedures, staff training and development, and are more than happy with the way we are approaching both areas. Imparting that evidence via the accreditation is highly valuable, for existing clients and for prospects. It’s great assurance to have. What advice would you give to organisations considering in investing in the PAS programme? Several partners from within the Kreston Group have asked about PAS. We’ve How beneficial has the PAS assessment been for your organisation?
enjoyed telling them the benefits and how PAS can help them grow their businesses and win more new clients. If you are comparing two payroll providers, one has the scheme and another does not, it’s a no brainer who you would select. How has the CIPP, as an organisation, added value to your organisation and, in particular, payroll department over the years? It’s through education – the fact that CIPP are the premier payroll body in the country, the brand means so much more. Four staff in my team have the diploma or Foundation Degree, as it is now, and for those looking to progress their careers, CIPP is an aid to success. Bishop Fleming are engaging with the CIPP to provide regular training, and now all payroll staff are required to have the Payroll Technician Certificate as standard. Formerly staff were with Payroll Alliance (previously Learn), but we switched to the CIPP as this is the best place to go if you wish to progress in your payroll career. Why do you feel the PAS was the best resource available to help with your company objectives? Bishop Fleming were accredited with ISO 9001. Whilst this is a highly valuable kitemark to carry, we found much of it
was not valid for payroll. Having looked at the market, the best fit-for-purpose accreditation in our opinion is PAS as it is payroll specific. Where did you learn about the CIPP PAS accreditation? Personal membership of CIPP meant that PAS was always visible. We felt it was very reasonably priced for a full payroll audit so it was the obvious choice. What would you recommend about the PAS to other organisations that may be considering engaging in the scheme? What do you do with the existing client base: how do you retain them, and offer piece of mind? Having the accreditation is valuable, plus having the tools to go to market gives strong advantage. How important do you feel the payroll department is to your organisation? Very important. We are a classic case of an accountancy firm that has grown and grown via payroll services. Kreston International recognises that payroll services are growing, and payroll is a highly regarded business unit in its own right. We are an important part of Bishop Fleming’s services and our status is ever growing. n
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 54 | October 2019
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