REWARD
“Education helps payrolls teams to harness artificial intelligence’s potential, rather than fear it”
at the table and the ability to influence key stakeholders. And education is how we can get there. We’ve seen payroll managers progressing to become directors and partners, earning their seats at the board table. And education has opened those doors.
recognise that running an accurate payroll across jurisdictions requires advanced knowledge, and they’re compensating accordingly. In recent years, salaries for global payroll roles have climbed drastically, and many senior payroll jobs now require international experience. By educating yourself in global payroll compliance, you welcome broader responsibilities and higher remuneration. More importantly, you’ll be able to guide your company’s global growth, ensuring
community offers resources and support without going back to school. Industry qualifications like those approved by the CIPP can formalise expertise. The CIPP’s Payroll Management Diploma also covers leadership training and soft skills development, to help you confidently present at board meetings and articulate how payroll impacts business strategy. Networking and mentoring can also help – not all learning takes place in a classroom. Industry conferences (like the CIPP’s Annual Conference and Exhibition) showcase new ideas and let you network with peers. Many leaders credit mentors for guiding their development, so consider finding a mentor. Having a support system for career growth can set you apart. At JGA Recruitment Group, we see first-hand how educational opportunities can transform careers. It’s why we built our ‘payroll leaders community’ and offer opportunities for those looking to upskill or make the most of their industry influence. We advise organisations on finding talent that not only fills a gap in the team but that can add value and drive business forward. We work with candidates on boosting skill sets and achieving their ambitions. We produce resources like ‘The Payroll Podcast ’ to provide free learning from industry experts and offer coaching services to sharpen interview and leadership skills, which can be used to complement academic learning in payroll. Our experience shows that those who proactively learn and upskill often land the most exciting roles. The payroll profession is more dynamic now than ever. Regulations and technology keep changing, meaning continuous education is your key to success, and every new skill is a step up. The message is clear: never stop learning In summary, education is what turns managers into leaders. Every course you take, every certification you earn and every insight you share adds to your leadership toolkit. In today’s world, those who commit to upskilling stand out and can secure higher salaries, promotions and opportunities to shape the future of payroll. n
From formal qualifications and mentoring to technology training,
education can empower payroll leaders to progress, embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and encourage growth within teams. Embracing technology and AI to stay ahead Nowadays, payroll systems and automation tools are evolving quickly, and AI is a game-changer. We all know AI can automate routine tasks, detect anomalies and provide data-driven insights, but there’s so much more. Education helps payroll teams to harness AI’s potential, rather than fear it. AI will augment, not replace, payroll professionals. You won’t lose your job to AI; you’ll lose it to someone using AI. Jobs are changing, and for payroll professionals, understanding AI is no longer optional – it’s unavoidable. Luckily, getting ‘AI-ready’ doesn’t require becoming a data scientist. Understanding AI-driven analytics means payroll can deliver insights on workforce costs, turnover or pay equity that influence HR strategy. Through tech education, you can position yourself as the innovator in the room who can recommend process improvements or new systems to leadership, greatly increasing your influence with stakeholders. A world of opportunity Another area where education elevates payroll leaders is in international payroll expertise. As companies expand and remote work allows hiring across borders, global payroll knowledge has become more desirable. Managing multi-country payrolls is complex (as JGA and guests covered in Global PayFest earlier this year). From varying tax laws and regulations to cultural differences in pay and benefits, those who invest time in learning global payroll quickly become invaluable. The payoff for gaining global expertise is significant, in both salary and opportunity. With increased complexity comes increased reward. Organisations
payroll (often a company’s biggest expense) remains compliant and efficient worldwide.
Knowledge is power Education doesn’t stop at your own career progression. It’s even better when shared. Great leaders use their knowledge to mentor and develop teams, through continuous learning. After all, a payroll department that learns together grows together – hello employee retention! Try encouraging teams to pursue professional certifications or courses, such as those offered by the CIPP. Or ask them to attend regular payroll events, covering topics such as AI, compliance and legislation updates. You could host lunch- and-learn sessions, allowing someone who attended a conference or webinar to share their takeaways. By looking after your teams, you can build a future-ready payroll function. Employees can teach each other, ensuring education reaches the whole team no matter their level. Over time, you’ll notice teams growing more autonomous and handling challenges with confidence. In turn, your leadership profile rises, positioning you as an innovative leader who develops others. Those leaders are the leaders teams want to work with. One of my favourite quotes ever comes from Richard Branson, “Train people well enough so they can leave but treat them well enough so they don’t want to.” Ongoing growth Professional education can feel daunting, especially when picturing yourself sitting back in an exam hall. But the payroll
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 114 | October 2025
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