It's About Payroll

In this podcast episode, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan discuss payroll crimes, focusing on the notorious 'Crazy Eddie' scandal. They elaborate on how the Antar family, particularly Eddie and Sammy, orchestrated a vast fraud scheme involving under-reported salaries, offshore money laundering, and company financial manipulation, all spanning 18 years. The hosts also emphasize the importance of robust measures in companies to prevent such fraudulent activities, maintaining a balance between employee trust and company security. The session ends with securing whistleblower protections and the need to avoid the temptation of illegal activities. Understanding these real, historical cases becomes a stepping stone to mitigating such instances in the future.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

01:20 Payroll News: Innovative Payroll Technology

06:57 Future of Work: Laws Changing the Workplace

14:51 Sponsored by - Time TrakGO 

16:05 True Payroll Crime: The Crazy Eddie Electronics Fraud

20:34 Key Takeaways and Lessons from the Fraud

24:07 IPO Manipulation and the Crazy Eddie Scheme

24:41 The Panama Pump Plan: Money Laundering and Revenue Inflation

25:32 Financial Downfall and Legal Consequences

25:59 The Aftermath: Sammy's Cooperation and New Career

26:43 Preventing Fraud: Strong Oversight and Whistleblower Protection

28:07 The Psychology of Fraud and Temptation

35:22 Balancing Employee Trust and Company Security

42:41 Closing Thoughts and Takeaways

References 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Eddie

https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonconstable/2022/08/27/the-rise-and-fall-of-crazy-eddie-a-tale-of-epic-fraud/?sh=5c2b47684d33

In this engaging podcast episode, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III, engage in a deep discussion with Global Payroll Expert, Max Van Der Busink, on the future of the payroll profession. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities in the payroll industry, with a focus on attracting young talent. Max shares his career journey in payroll and offers advice on how the industry can leverage digital platforms and flexibility to attract the next generation. Important topics like global payroll dynamics, the role of remote work, the changing roles of payroll professionals, and much more are discussed. The episode also features playful banter and a game of 'This or That'.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:25 Episode Overview and Guest Introduction

00:50 Casual Conversation and Personal Updates

01:39 Trends for Young Employees in 2024

05:43 Sponsorship Segment: TimeTrakGO

06:58 Discussion on Gig Work and Technology in Payroll

11:40 Introduction of Guest: Max Vander Busink

13:15 Max's Payroll Origin Story

18:26 Discussion on Engaging Young Talent in Payroll

25:52 The Importance of Articulation in Payroll

26:19 Personal Experiences in the Payroll Industry

27:46 The Art of Communication in Payroll

29:04 Understanding the Complexities of Payroll

29:33 The Challenges of Global Payroll

35:21 The Impact of Remote Work on Payroll

38:02 The Future of Global Payroll

43:41 Final Thoughts and Advice for Young Payroll Professionals

In the latest episode of 'It's about Payroll,' hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III dive into understanding the nuances of the payroll profession. Joined by their special guest, Brad Voorhees, an experienced HR professional and the founder of ScaleTx, they discuss effective strategies for attracting new talent, the challenges experienced in maintaining top talent, and the evolution of HR practices over the years. Brad shares his insights on the impact of talent acquisition methods, fostering employee engagement, and employee retention strategies. They also speak about staying well-informed in the HR industry. The podcast wraps up with a fun game of 'this or that' with Brad.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:21 Podcast Format Changes and Updates

03:32 Discussion on Payroll News and Updates

09:03 Challenges in Attracting and Retaining Top Talent

15:15 Sponsored Segment: Time TrakGO

16:30 Guest Introduction: Brad Voorhees

20:22 Brad's Journey into HR and Talent Acquisition

29:45 Challenges in HR and Talent Acquisition

38:50 Transition to Entrepreneurship and Scale TX

44:24 Understanding Talent Strategy

44:43 The Importance of Employer Branding

45:21 The Hiring Process and Talent Acquisition

46:43 The Role of HR Departments and VPs

49:47 The Impact of Personal Branding on Talent Attraction

50:59 The Role of Employee Value Proposition in Talent Attraction

51:27 The Importance of Good People Managers

52:22 The Role of Employer Reputation in Talent Attraction

53:28 The Role of Employee Referrals in Talent Attraction

54:42 Staying Up-to-Date in HR

58:13 The Role of AI in HR

01:09:45 The Challenges of Hiring Friends of Friends

In this episode of 'It's About Payroll', hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III discuss the importance of focusing on the impact of payroll operations on company employees. They also emphasize the significance of proactive communication, implementing feedback mechanisms, and continuously improving payroll processes. Further into the conversation, they highlight the impact of poor customer service on employees' job satisfaction and morale. The hosts then welcome Jeremy Mifsud, Head of Customer Success at Buddy - an HR and Payroll platform. Jeremy shares his transition into payroll, the fulfillment he finds in the role, and the emphasis Buddy puts on making employees' lives better. He also discusses the strategies Buddy uses to improve customer experience.

00:00 Introduction and Motivation

00:16 Welcome to the Payroll Podcast

00:39 The Importance of Customer Service in Payroll

01:22 Three Key Tips for Payroll Pros

09:46 Guest Introduction: Jeremy Mifsud

10:35 This episode is presented by TimeTrakGO

12:05 Jeremy's Journey into Payroll and Customer Service

17:29 The Impact of Attitude in Customer Service

18:24 Transition from Phone to Live Chat Support

21:27 Multilingual Background and Learning New Languages

21:54 The Unique Language of Malta

22:31 The Aging Payroll Industry and the Need for Young Professionals

23:43 How to Get Young People Excited About Payroll

23:58 The Impact of Payroll on People's Lives

26:19 The Importance of Employee Happiness

27:47 The Role of Cognitive Science in Customer Service

29:44 Career Path and the Move to Spain

32:21 Fun Game: This or That

36:01 Advice for Those Entering Payroll or Customer Service

37:11 Closing Remarks and Sign Off

Understanding the New Tax Brackets and Its Impact on Payroll

Hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III discuss the new changes in tax brackets and their implications on payroll. They explore the topic based on an article they found on foxbusiness.com. The hosts detail the key points in the tax bracket changes, such as higher federal income tax brackets, the impact on take-home pay, inflation adjustments, and standard deduction changes. Additionally, they provide tips for payroll professionals to handle potential questions from employees and how they can stay updated about ongoing tax changes. They emphasize the importance of communication, continual education, and staying updated with federal and state laws.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Welcome

00:30 Episode 95: Tax Brackets Discussion

02:45 Key Points on 2024 Tax Brackets

06:59 Sponsored Message: TimeTrakGO

08:13 Preparing for Employee Questions

15:15 Payroll Professionals: Understanding New Tax Brackets

18:04 Understanding Payroll Responsibilities and Liabilities

18:43 The Importance of Checking Payroll Systems

19:52 Understanding Taxable Wages and Tax Brackets

21:19 Pressure Testing Payroll Systems

22:55 Understanding Compliance with Federal and State Laws

24:35 The Importance of Continuing Education and Training in Payroll

25:13 Effective Employee Communication in Payroll

26:00 Proactive Auditing and Reporting in Payroll

28:57 The Role of Payroll in Employee Self-Service

29:41 The Future of Payroll and the Need for New Talent

33:50 The Evolving Landscape of Social Media and its Impact on Payroll

35:25 Closing Remarks and Sign Off

Preparing for the New Year: Payroll Insights and Preparations

Hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III of the 'It's About Payroll' podcast delve into payroll-related topics, such as the responsibilities of HR, how payroll professionals can plan and prepare for the upcoming year, and implications of changes in tax rates, classifications, and IRS regulations. They also discuss personal and professional growth strategies, including the importance of continuous learning. The hosts also preview their next season where they focus on attracting younger generation to the payroll industry.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:26 Welcome to Episode 94: New Year's Payroll Advice

01:07 New Year's Reflections and Resolutions

02:34 Sponsored Segment: TimeTrakGO

03:31 Personal Goals and Aspirations for the New Year

06:07 Payroll Professionals: Preparing for the New Year

28:16 Season 8 Preview: Engaging Young People in Payroll

31:40 Conclusion and Sign Off

It's a wrap! Season 7 is officially over and so is 2023.

Check out our latest episode. Season 7 Wrap-up (Episode 93)

Thank you for listening and Happy New Year! 

Podcast Name: It’s About Payroll!

Season 7 Now Streaming!

Full-length episodes are posted every Monday!

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It's About Payroll: Season 7 Wrap-up 

Hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III reflect on a successful seven seasons of their payroll-focused podcast, 'It's About Payroll,' and discuss what's in store for Season 8. They highlight the recurring themes they've discovered throughout their journey, notably the importance of cybersecurity, the value of people, and the continuous evolution of payroll systems. Drawing attention to an ongoing assault on data, they emphasize the importance of data protection, the role of people in payroll, and the growth in payroll tech. They also spotlight the insights shared by their guests this season - from the importance of having the right team and leaning into your gifts, to evolving within the payroll industry. Looking ahead, they aim to bring more focus to young professionals in payroll for Season 8 to inspire and encourage a new generation into the field.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:18 The Journey of the Podcast

01:33 Reflections on Seven Seasons

03:24 Sponsor Introduction: TimeTrakGo

04:45 Personal Growth and Challenges

05:37 The Importance of Community

07:29 The Evolution of the Podcast

23:21 The Impact of Cybersecurity

28:09 The Importance of CyberSecurity

28:28 The Power of People in Payroll

29:05 The Role of LinkedIn in Payroll Education

29:16 The Challenges of Formal Payroll Education

30:19 The Evolution of Payroll

30:29 The Impact of Payroll Systems and Innovations

30:58 The Role of Time Tracking in Payroll

32:01 The Influence of Guests and Collaborations

34:08 The Impact of Payroll on Employee Retention

34:42 The Power of Generosity in Payroll

43:52 The Role of Technology in Payroll

53:27 The Future of Payroll

Talkin’ Malta Payroll w/Jonathan Misfud: An Insight into Payroll Processes, Software, and its Influence on Future Entrepreneurs

In this episode of 'It's About Payroll', hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III, conduct an enlightening conversation with Jonathan Misfud, who leads a team working on cloud payroll software, 'Buddy'. Jonathan shares his experiences transitioning from a small business owner into the creator of payroll software. He reveals that understanding the people behind payroll operations played a significant part in making Buddy successful. The conversation also highlights the absence of regulatory bodies for payroll in Malta and the United States and discusses how payroll processes impact people's lives notably. The hosts get an overview of the 'Payroll Trinity' from Jonathan's perspective which involves the employee, the employer, and the payroll processor. Jonathan also shares an exciting update about Buddy, where functions such as bulk submission of tax documents and automation are being added. Lastly, he shares some advice for anyone new to payroll and for those pondering entrepreneurial ventures into payroll.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:16 Meet the Hosts and the Guest

01:10 Getting to Know Jonathan Misfud

01:26 Payroll Challenges in Malta

03:08 The Journey of Creating Buddy

04:41 Sponsored Segment: TimeTrakGo

06:03 The Evolution of Buddy

08:58 The Concept of Payroll Trinity

12:09 The Story Behind Buddy's Name

15:23 Buddy's New Features and Updates

20:20 Advice for New Payroll Professionals and Entrepreneurs

23:50 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Brand New True Payroll Crime Story - Under Siege

In episode 91, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III discuss the escalating threats to payroll and financial systems from cyber attacks. Referencing recent attacks on credit unions and water supply systems, they underscore the importance of robust cybersecurity measures across all industries, not just financial services. The discussion extends to the potential impact of cyber threats on payroll processes and the livelihoods of individuals who depend on the timely and secure disbursement of payments. Strategies for individuals and companies to protect financial data are also discussed.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:37 Reaching Milestones and Listener Feedback

02:31 Discussion on Minimum Wage

05:28 Sponsor Message: TimeTrakGO

08:16 Cybersecurity Threats and Their Impact

15:32 Solutions to Cybersecurity Threats

20:40 The Importance of Cybersecurity in Payroll

22:50 Understanding Account Takeover Attacks

23:39 The Importance of Identity-Centric Security

24:35 The Future of Payroll Cybersecurity

25:07 Ransomware Attacks on Credit Unions

25:38 The Impact of Cyber Threats on Financial Institutions

28:53 Invitation to Connect with the It's About Payroll Community

29:42 The Immediate Concerns of Cyber Attacks

31:58 The Importance of Customer Awareness and Industry Collaboration

32:50 The Importance of Sharing Information and Educating Yourself

34:02 The Power of Payroll and Its Vulnerabilities

34:02 The Ripple Effects of Cyber Threats on Individuals and Employees

35:16 The Importance of Guarding Your Data

40:23 The Importance of Checking Your Transactions

41:19 The Dangers of Gift Card Scams

43:26 The Importance of Being Vigilant and Mindful

44:08 Conclusion and Invitation to Engage with the Payroll Community

Resources

https://www.theregister.com/AMP/2023/12/04/iran_terrorist_us_water_attacks/ 

Episode 90: Talkin' Pay Transparency with HR Data Labs David Turetsky. Thanks, David Turetsky! We appreciate you sir.

In episode 90 of 'It's About Payroll' Podcast, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III invite David Turetsky, HR Data Labs and CHRO of Salary.com, to discuss the crucial topic of pay transparency. David points out the progression in this area from the 90s when discussing pay with co-workers was potentially a reason for termination, and explains how pay transparency has evolved into a way to level the playing field. He discusses California's approach, the wide versus narrow pay range for jobs, and how companies should deal with pay disparity. The conversation also explores the impact of being able to talk about pay, the importance of being prepared to discuss salary, the sensitivity of discussing overtime, and the role of the manager in the topic of pay. Finally, David gives advice to new HR and payroll entrants, highlighting their significant positions in the business.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:20 Special Guest Introduction: David Turesky

01:35 Sponsor Message: TimeTrakGO

02:49 Discussion on Pay Transparency

04:04 The Evolution of Pay Transparency

05:51 The Impact of Pay Transparency on Employee Conversations

07:17 The Role of Companies in Pay Transparency

07:28 The Importance of Employee Advocacy in Pay Transparency

09:14 The Role of Data in Pay Transparency

10:52 The Importance of Compliance in Pay Transparency

11:31 The Role of Legal Counsel in Pay Transparency

13:02 The Importance of Education in Pay Transparency

18:30 The Impact of Pay Transparency on Overtime

26:14 Closing Remarks and Advice for New HR and Payroll Professionals

27:39 Conclusion and Sign Off