It's About Payroll

Episode 155: With Guest Kira Rubano

In this high-energy and insightful episode, we explore the unexpected, challenging, and sometimes hilarious world of payroll.

Hosts Brian and Walt kick off with a conversation about financial fitness progress and dive into fascinating payroll topics, including:

How military pay structures could reshape civilian payroll thinking

The shocking realities payroll professionals face when handling employee deaths and final pay

Why payroll stress is real — and how to practice "MindBody Payroll" for long-term success

Global payroll myths, language barriers, real-time reporting, and the role of AI

Kira Rubano’s incredible journey from international law student to global payroll leader at Payroll Minds

The future of global payroll transformations and what companies must do to modernize

Why it’s OK (and necessary!) for payroll pros to put themselves first sometimes

🎯 Whether you're a seasoned payroll veteran or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights, laugh-out-loud moments, and powerful takeaways to fuel your career and your sanity. Listen now – and remember, every payroll problem has a solution.

https://youtu.be/lrHrjkk3PhA

Episode 154: Financing Coachella Tickets, Payroll Innovation in Schools, and AI’s Future in Payroll with Gustavo Vasconcelos

In this power-packed episode of It’s About Payroll, Brian and Walt uncover some eye-opening realities:

60% of Coachella attendees had to finance their tickets — highlighting America's deep paycheck-to-paycheck crisis.

We discuss why even meals are now being financed and how it ties back to broader payroll and financial wellness challenges.

A look into outdated payroll tech in education — where pulling a simple time report once took 90 minutes — and how new tech is speeding things up to just 30 seconds.

Special guest Gustavo Vascons, CEO of Empa, joins to share his journey from technical expert to payroll innovator. He dives deep into how cybersecurity, AI, and education are vital to payroll's future.

We debate whether AI will quietly creep into payroll or crash in at full speed — and why companies need to prepare now or risk becoming the "Blockbuster" of the payroll world.

🎙️ Plus: Special bonus for listeners! Grab 50% off your first two months with TimeTrack Go. [Details in episode]

🔗 Links to Gustavo's company and resources mentioned: https://asinpa.com/

In Episode 153 of It's About Payroll, hosts Walt and Brian discuss the impact of tariffs on the payroll industry, budgeting tips from a certified financial planner, and the importance of continuous education in payroll. Special guest Laurel Serra, CPP, Director of Education Services at Payroll Org, joins the conversation to share her journey in payroll, the importance of certification, and how to navigate the evolving landscape of payroll with problem-solving skills, curiosity, and adaptability. Don't miss this episode filled with valuable insights and inspirational stories from industry leaders!

00:00 Introduction and Episode Kickoff

00:23 Casual Catch-Up and Personal Updates

00:49 Financial Fitness and Budgeting Insights

02:15 Impact of Tariffs on Payroll Industry

04:02 Paychex and Paycor Acquisition

04:58 TimeTrak GO Message (50% Off Special)

06:16 Guest Introduction: Laurel Sarah, CPP

07:52 Laurel's Journey in Payroll

17:26 Challenges and Knowledge Gaps in Payroll

24:07 Managing the Patreon Product

25:31 Advice for New Payroll Professionals

27:58 The Importance of Payroll Knowledge

30:06 Engaging the Next Generation

31:16 AI and Payroll: A Cautionary Tale

36:08 The Future of Payroll Professionals

39:37 Challenging the Status Quo

43:09 Excitement for the Payroll Industry's Future

45:33 Upcoming Events and Initiatives

46:32 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Links & References

www.timetrakgo.com/iap

Brian's News Article

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250413165349/en/Paychex-Completes-Acquisition-of-Paycor

In this episode, the hosts discuss the significance of understanding and utilizing employee handbooks for payroll professionals. They highlight the benefits of maintaining updated handbooks, creating cheat sheets for quick reference, and ensuring front-line managers are on the same page. The episode also covers the financial fitness challenge updates and the importance of tracking expenses. Additionally, the hosts discuss recent payroll news, including the IRS's earned income tax credit anniversary and a funding update for the payroll company Atomic.

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

01:12 Financial Fitness Challenge

03:10 Payroll News and Updates

05:02 Spotlight on Atomic

08:33 Employee Handbooks and Payroll

16:02 Understanding the Role of HR and Payroll Leaders

16:41 Importance of Consistency in Policy Implementation

17:47 Employee Handbook: Usage and Statistics

20:05 Benefits of Standardizing Payroll Policies

23:11 The Necessity of Financial Literacy in Payroll

25:54 Question of the Day: Handbook Requirement for Payroll Pros

29:10 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Title: IAP EP 151 - Season in Review: The Truth About AI in Payroll You Need to Know

Summary:

Join Walter and Brian in this season finale of "It's About Payroll" as they dive into a comprehensive review of the season and explore the impact of AI in payroll management. They begin with casual banter about their weekends before delving into thought-provoking discussions on various topics covered in previous episodes. Highlights of this episode include:

1. A heartfelt tribute to a lost friend.

2. The financial fitness challenge updates.

3. Insights on effective grocery shopping and reducing food waste.

4. Detailed analysis of the latest payroll news, including average hourly earnings and trends in human capital management systems.

5. The significant role of AI in transforming payroll processes.

6. A reflection on the season's standout episodes, from New Year planning to guest interviews and engaging topics like hybrid workspaces and the future of payroll.

7. The importance of AI in reducing work burnout and ensuring job longevity.

8. A pop quiz to recap some key moments from the season.

Don't miss out on their insightful conversation and look forward to another exciting season ahead! Catch the full episode on our YouTube channel and stay tuned for more updates on the future of payroll.

In this milestone 150th episode, the hosts delve into the significant role payroll plays in employee experience and retention. They discuss various aspects including financial security, compliance, onboarding, and the impact of payroll errors on employee morale. Personal stories, industry statistics, and practical advice are shared to highlight the importance of accurate and timely payroll processing. Additionally, the episode features news updates on payroll fraud and economic indicators, and emphasizes the importance of good communication skills in payroll management.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Kickoff

00:22 Casual Chat and Personal Updates

03:15 Fitness and Financial Fitness Challenge

05:48 True Payroll Crimes

07:19 Understanding Non-Farm Payroll

10:36 Sponsor Message from TimeTrakGO

12:09 Main Topic: Role of Payroll in Employee Experience

17:30 Compliance and Transparency in Payroll

18:13 Understanding Tax Withholdings

20:33 Onboarding and First Impressions

23:16 Benefits and Total Compensation

24:23 Motivation and Performance

25:22 Flexibility and Modernization in Payroll

26:45 Conflict Resolution and Support

32:21 The Importance of Communication in Payroll

35:10 Closing Thoughts and Community Engagement

Links & Resources

TimeTrakGO 50% 0ff link - www.timetrakgo.com/iap 

Walt’s News Update - https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/chinese-hr-manager-runs-payroll-scam-for-8-years-creates-22-fake-employees-2692562-2025-03-12 

Title: IAP Ep 149 - It's About Payroll

**Summary:**

Welcome to Episode 149 of "It's About Payroll" with hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III. Whether you're new to the world of payroll or a seasoned veteran, this episode has something for you.

https://www.osha.gov/workplace-stress#:~:text=Statistics,year%20from%202019%2D20214.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250310148527/en/ServiceNow-to-Extend-Leading-Agentic-AI-to-Every-Employee-for-Every-Corner-of-the-Business-With-Acquisition-of-Moveworks

**Episode Highlights:**

1. **Introduction and Banter:**  

   Brian and Walter kick off the episode with some friendly banter about the rapid passage of time and how it feels different at various stages of life.

2. **Financial Fitness Update:**  

   The hosts discuss their personal financial health journeys, touching on subjects like credit card usage rates, stock investments, and savings updates. They emphasize the importance of incremental changes in achieving financial fitness.

3. **Wellness Insights:**  

   Drawing on statistics from OSHA, they highlight the impact of workplace stress on mental health and overall well-being. They stress the importance of addressing this issue to improve both personal and professional life.

4. **Organizational Tips for 2025:**  

   Learn how to streamline your business operations with Time Track Go, a user-friendly time tracker that helps organize employee hours, time-off requests, and vacation policies.

5. **Main Topic - Common Payroll Mistakes:**  

   The bulk of the episode focuses on enlightening listeners about common payroll mistakes that can lead to significant financial consequences. Examples include misclassification of employees, mishandling international payroll laws, and incorrect processing of bonuses. Real-world cases involving major companies like Amazon, Uber, and Netflix are discussed to illustrate these points.

6. **Practical Advice:**  

   Walter shares the importance of regular audits and staying updated with payroll regulations to avoid costly errors and penalties.

**Closing Remarks:**  

Walter reminds listeners to follow “It's About Payroll” on LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok. As always, they thank their community for joining them on this journey and encourage everyone to keep learning, growing, and moving forward.

Thank you for tuning in! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insightful episodes on payroll and financial wellness.

Welcome to Episode 148! Dive into a deep conversation with Pete Tiliakos, a renowned expert in payroll and HR technology. This episode covers strategies on engaging executives with payroll data, explores the impact of AI on the industry, and discusses the importance of ROI in payroll operations. Pete introduces the Payroll Professional Confidence Index and its role in changing the narrative around payroll's significance. Additional topics include the Paychex and Paycor merger and financial fitness tips. Don't miss out on this insightful discussion aimed at transforming the payroll landscape!

00:00 Introduction: Connecting with Executives

00:10 Casual Catch-Up: Personal Updates

02:02 Financial Fitness Challenge

04:46 Guest Introduction: Pete Tiliakos

06:12 Industry News and Updates

10:18 Time TrakGO Ad

12:43 Discussion: Payroll Professional Confidence Index

14:49 Maximizing ROI in Payroll

15:44 Year Two: Progress and Participation

16:12 Insights from Last Year's Results

17:13 Defining ROI and the Five Pillars of Modern Payroll

21:51 Encouraging Young Talent in Payroll

25:50 Impact of AI on Payroll

28:40 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

http://payrollinfluences.com (Company) Pete Tiliakos - Take the 2025 PPCI survey today!!!

http://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hr-payroll-2-0/id1643933833 - Pete & Julie always have great things to say!

https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/itsaboutpayroll?selected=DIRED8848986882 - Tune in to our IAP episodes here!

Links & Resources for Payroll New Update

https://www.rippling.com/blog/payroll-mistakes 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250227135815/en/Paychex-Announces-Expiration-of-HSR-Waiting-Period-for-Paychex%E2%80%99s-Acquisition-of-Paycor

In this episode of 'It's About Payroll', the hosts welcome special guest Stephen Weisberg, a seasoned tax attorney. They dive into the intricacies of payroll tax debt, offering practical strategies to resolve tax issues effectively. Stephen shares his background in corporate bankruptcy and his transition to helping small businesses and self-employed individuals resolve tax debt. The episode also covers the importance of making quarterly payments, the risks of payroll tax fraud, and why early intervention with a tax expert is crucial. Stephen emphasizes his unique approach of providing a free tax debt analysis without any scare tactics or hefty fees, differing significantly from many large tax resolution firms. They also touch on personal tax issues and the importance of professional tax preparation. Tune in to learn how to protect your financial future and achieve peace of mind with expert tax advice.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:26 Sponsor Message: TimeTrak GO

02:37 Guest Background: Stephen Weisberg

05:40 Understanding Tax Debt and Resolution

09:33 Common Tax Issues and Solutions

16:18 Practical Advice for Taxpayers

27:32 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

https://www.wtaxattorney.com/stephen-weisberg/ 

https://www.itsaboutpayroll.io/ 

In this episode, Brian and Walt dive into a range of topics that impact both your wallet and your mindset. They kick off by discussing the power of staying aligned and motivated, emphasizing gratitude in everyday life. From there, they jump into their ongoing Financial Fitness Challenge, sharing small but impactful strategies—from trying out money-saving apps like Fetch to investing in the stock market—that anyone can implement.

You’ll also hear about a real-life IHOP workers’ comp fraud case and why it’s a cautionary tale for both employees and employers. Plus, the hosts peel back the layers on early direct deposits (like Chime) and expose the little-known catch that often stands in the way of getting paid early. To wrap up, Brian and Walt highlight the pivotal role of payroll in the overall employee experience, especially how it directly influences trust and retention. Don’t miss the insightful back-and-forth as they discuss whether payroll pros should have more control over crucial employment data—because one small error can lead to big issues for everyone involved.

Key Topics Covered

• Staying motivated and aligned in work and life

• Financial Fitness Challenge tips (budgeting, saving, and micro-investing)

• The truth about “get paid early” apps like Chime

• Workers’ comp fraud and how it affects payroll accuracy

• Payroll’s critical role in employee satisfaction and retention

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