PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSIGHT
Diary of a student… Jason Mallory MCIPPdip Payroll team leader, Biffa
the wrong job. The most beneficial aspect for me was to have an excellent support network, from my wife and son through to my employer. Even if you are on your own, the support from the CIPP via the tutors and fellow colleagues is what will help you through. Ultimately, the short-term sacrifices made are already turning into the long-term gains from having completed the degree. Did the fact that the CIPP is Chartered or recognised within the industry influence your decision to enrol with the CIPP? And were there any particular modules which were of interest prior to enrolling? This was a big draw towards choosing to study through the CIPP. Being a professionally recognised body adds to the prestige of the qualification and is a certain door opener for your future career within payroll and even beyond. In order to further my career, I was looking for that extra incentive. The year-two module ‘Define and manage systems, security and risk’ as well as year-three modules ‘Improving services and operations’ and ‘Understanding customers and clients’, were of particular interest as they are not only covered from a payroll business perspective, but that they are also transferable skills into human resources and shared services. For someone who is thinking about studying for a CIPP qualification what would your advice be to them? Studying through the CIPP has been one of the best decisions that I have made. The repayment for the three years of hard work spent studying the Foundation Degree in Payroll Management is endless. Take the leap, don’t hold back on effort and you will succeed. n
Can you give us a brief background into your life
Why did you choose to study the Foundation Degree? I decided to study through the CIPP as they are the market leader in payroll qualifications and the depth and breadth of course material offered gives more than just payroll knowledge. It also gives sound business knowledge and provides a solid foundation for career progression within the payroll industry. How important is this degree in relation to your career? Completing the Foundation Degree in Payroll Management has been the springboard in my career within payroll. From starting my career as a lone payroller I am now leading a team of seven payroll administrators and managing the entire payroll function for a dynamic and ever-expanding listed company. This degree has given me the knowledge and understanding that has enabled me to take on this role and has also empowered me to develop my role further. Having this solid foundation has allowed me to progress in my career as a payroll professional and will continue to do so well into the future. How did you cope with the work life balance and your study? Though I have never let work dictate my life, that is not to say that I have not put in a late shift here and there – my wife can testify to that. But it is important to enjoy life whether it be at home or at work. If you are not enjoying your work, then you are in
I grew up in South Africa where I married my best friend. In 2001, we moved to the UK and have never looked back. We are celebrating our twentieth anniversary later this year and have a thirteen-year old son. I continue to play hockey since starting at age fourteen, and have played at national league level for my local club. I am currently also playing for and running a badminton club as well as enjoying a round of golf now and then. Can you give us an insight into your career and qualifications background? Having moved to the UK with a business commerce degree I found myself working as a finance manager in a secondary school. I believed that becoming a school business manager would be the career path that I would follow; however, through a change in circumstances I found myself spearheading a newly formed payroll bureau for schools and academies. It was then that I decided a career in payroll was the right path for me and after two years moved to an established national payroll bureau to further my career. It was here that I completed year two of the Foundation Degree in Payroll Management. Eager for more growth in my career I took hold of an opportunity offered to me at Biffa and have since completed my third year of the degree and have never looked back.
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | November 2017 | Issue 35 12
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