PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
# Be Payroll
Clare Jackson MCIPPdip, HR transformation and operational excellence lead at Allianz UK, explains how CIPP membership and gaining qualifications have helped her learning and professional development
Can you describe your payroll journey so far? This may sound very familiar, but I fell into payroll around 30 years ago when I decided to do a bit of temping work, which was popular then. The recruitment agency I registered with needed someone for two weeks’ annual leave cover to run the payroll for the whole of the United Kingdom. I worked my way up to payroll supervisor and I ended up staying there for 11 years. This led me on to various payroll roles, running in-house, bureau and fully managed payroll services in both the public and private sectors. I started with LV in 2013, working my way up to payroll manager, then moved to Allianz in 2020. I’ve pushed myself out of my comfort zone and became a guest speaker at the Reward Conference on the subject of the apprenticeship levy when it was introduced in 2017. It’s important to seek out these opportunities and learn that you can do more than you think with a subject you know a lot about, which leads to getting over the imposter syndrome that I’m sure everyone has felt at one time or another. I’m currently working in the human resources (HR) transformation and operational excellence team on any change project, which often involves payroll-related items and leading sessions to several departments in the company. Why did you choose to become a member of the CIPP? I was studying for the Foundation Degree in Payroll Management and the membership gives invaluable support
with face-to-face advice or via email and online resources. I also wanted to be part of a professional organisation that works very closely with HM Revenue and Customs and other governing bodies to make a real difference to the payroll industry. What membership benefits have you used or enjoyed the most and how have they helped you? I keep up to date with any changes and legislation updates by reading News Online and the monthly Professional magazine. I find the Advisory pages particularly helpful to refresh on anything I haven’t come across in a while or to confirm if my thinking is correct. I have also contributed to the special interest groups in person and by posting questions online to gain information for colleagues on any projects I’m working on, as well as by responding to colleagues to share my knowledge and experience. This is a great resource and builds your network with other professionals in payroll, pensions and reward. How would you describe your experience of studying with IPP Education? I started studying with IPP Education in my thirties with an eight-year-old child, so finding time to focus on studying was challenging. Time management was very important each week, so I knew how much I wanted to achieve on each module and ensured I had some days off to focus on family and friends too. It’s important to keep up your social activities when studying to
give you a boost and prepare you for the next module.
What advice do you have for someone who is thinking of studying for a qualification? You won’t regret it, and it certainly opens doors along your career path. Each module is segmented very well and there is a great deal of support and various resources to help you. It’s hard work, but as long as you put the time and commitment in, the feeling of achievement when you graduate is fantastic! What does working in payroll mean to you? My role changed earlier this year and although I’m still in HR, I now work on change projects in our transformation and operational excellence team, which has involved me leading on projects to introduce an electric car salary sacrifice scheme and leading the payroll change for our benefits alignment project. Working for a global company, my change work has involved me liaising with colleagues from Allianz Germany and Australia, so it’s great to collaborate this way. My role still has elements of payroll, ensuring any change is streamlined and working towards our UK and global strategies. My background in payroll will always be invaluable because it touches so many areas; HR, pensions, benefits, reward, finance, tax and procurement, to name a few. I enjoy making a difference to the moments that matter, and payroll is certainly one of those! n
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 106 | December 2024 - January 2025
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