The Payroll Podcast

The Payroll Podcast

By Nick Day - JGA Payroll RecruitmentBusinessNewsBusiness NewsManagement
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The Payroll Podcast episodes

  • Unlocked: How Payroll Congress Turned a First-Time Attendee Into a PayrollOrg Director with Christina Ruderer

    Imagine attending Payroll Congress for the very first time and within a year becoming part of the PayrollOrg team responsible for training payroll professionals across the world. That is exactly what happened to Christina Ruderer, CPP, and her story perfectly captures what makes Payroll Congress unlike any other event in the profession.

    In this episode of @thepayrollpodcast, Nick Day, CEO of JGA Recruitment, sits down with Christina Ruderer, CPP, Director of Payroll Training at PayrollOrg, to unpack one of the most inspiring career stories in payroll today. From passing her CPP exam in tears to being selected on stage at Congress, to landing a leadership role at PayrollOrg within months, Christina's journey is living proof of what happens when preparation meets opportunity. The conversation also dives deep into what attendees can expect at Payroll Congress 2026 in Nashville, why the connections made at Congress have a compounding effect on your career, and why showing up, even alone and for the first time, could be the single best decision you make this year.

    It is not luck.

    It is not timing.

    It is showing up with intention.

    Christina shares how a clear mission, a willingness to step outside her comfort zone, and the right connections at Congress unlocked a career opportunity she had only dared to imagine. Whether you are a first-timer on the fence or a seasoned Congress veteran, this episode will remind you exactly why Payroll Congress remains the most powerful event in the global payroll profession.

    This episode is sponsored by Deel

    Managing a global team is complex, Deel makes it simpler with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance all in one place. That's why over 35,000 businesses trust Deel to hire, pay, and manage their teams worldwide.

    See how Deel works at www.deel.com/nickday

    Guest and Host:

    Connect with Christina Ruderer, CPP: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-ruderer-cpp-35632032b/

    Get your Payroll Congress 2026 tickets here: www.payrollcongress.com

    Connect with Nick Day: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

    Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537e

    Stay tuned for the next episode of The Payroll Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!

    Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thehrldpodcast for more great content!

    Timestamps:

    (00:01) Introduction: Christina Ruderer's remarkable Congress-to-career story

    (02:14) What does payroll mean to you?

    (02:33) From member to certified: Christina's FPC and CPP journey

    (05:09) Attending Payroll Congress alone for the very first time

    (08:21) The Congress connection that changed everything

    (09:20) From first-time attendee to PayrollOrg Director

    (11:40) How Congress welcomes introverts and first-timers

    (15:26) What Christina is presenting at Congress 2026 and the education lineup

    (21:46) Congress traditions: the themed Fête party and what to expect

    (27:18) The moment that made the whole trip worth it

    (35:11) The Payroll Vault: rapid-fire career advice for 2026

    Hashtags: #PayrollCongress #PayrollPodcast #PayrollOrg #CPP #CertifiedPayrollProfessional #PayrollCareers #PayrollProfessionals #PayrollTraining #Nashville2026 #PayrollCommunity #PayrollLeadership #PayrollIndustry #PayrollConference #PayrollGrowth #FutureOfPayroll

    45 min
  • Why Every Payroll Professional Must Attend Payroll Congress

    My first book: The Payroll Pivot book is out now!

    Visit: www.thepayrollpivot.com

    Or Purchase on Amazon today: https://shorturl.at/rXBXP

    Payroll Congress is often seen as just another industry conference but what if it's actually the single most career-defining investment a payroll professional can ever make? In this episode of @thepayrollpodcast we explore why Payroll Congress is so much more than a conference and how attending can completely transform your career in payroll.

    In this episode, Laurel Serra, CPP, Director of Education Services at PayrollOrg, joins Nick Day, CEO of JGA Recruitment Group, to make the ultimate case for attending Payroll Congress 2025. Together they unpack how Congress drives payroll career development, builds lifelong professional networks, and delivers the kind of payroll education and compliance training that no webinar or online course can replicate. Along the way, the discussion touches on payroll professional growth, practical payroll podcast insights, and the community-driven culture that makes Payroll Congress the premier event for payroll professionals worldwide.

    It's not just about the classes.

    It's not just about the credits.

    It's about finding your people.

    Laurel shares her personal journey from falling into payroll through a temp agency to becoming one of the profession's most respected education leaders, and how one trip to Congress changed the entire trajectory of her career. The episode also covers how to pitch Congress to your employer using PayrollOrg's Boss's Letter, practical tips for first-time attendees, and real career transformation stories from professionals whose lives changed the moment they walked through those doors.

    This episode is sponsored by Deel

    Managing a global team is complex, Deel makes it simpler with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance all in one place. That's why over 35,000 businesses trust Deel to hire, pay, and manage their teams worldwide.

    See how Deel works at www.deel.com/nickday

    Guest & Host:

    Connect with Laurel Serra, CPP: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurelserra-cpp/

    Connect with Nick Day: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

    Stay tuned for the next episode of The Payroll Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!

    Timestamps:

    (00:00) What does payroll mean to you? Laurel's "heartbeat" philosophy

    (02:39) Laurel's journey from temp placement to Director of Education at PayrollOrg

    (07:32) Why even a well-run payroll team needs to keep evolving

    (10:08) What is Payroll Congress? 100+ workshops, global sessions & the expo hall

    (12:53) Key benefits: RCH credits, networking, vendors & knowledge resources

    (16:57) Advice for introverts and first-time attendees

    (22:26) Real career transformation stories from Congress attendees

    (28:05) Networking success stories from reconnections to new hires

    (31:22) The Boss's Letter: how to get your employer to say yes

    (38:54) Payroll Congress 2025 dates, schedule & how to register

    47 min
  • The April 2026 Payroll Checklist | SSP Overhaul, Fair Work Agency & Fiscal Drag Explained

    In this episode: April 2026 Payroll Changes | Tax, SSP, NMW & EV Salary Sacrifice Explained

    Payroll Question Time is brought to you by SD Worx. SD Worx offers smart, tailored and integrated HR and Payroll solutions, along with the local expertise, global reach and reliable service you need to grow your business today!

    The new tax year is here. Is your payroll ready for everything April 2026 brings?

    In this March edition of Payroll Question Time, host Steve Yardley and our expert panel break down the most critical changes hitting payroll teams right now, from fiscal drag and frozen thresholds to the landmark overhaul of Statutory Sick Pay, the launch of the Fair Work Agency, and the often-misunderstood world of EV salary sacrifice schemes.

    With the end of the tax year upon us, we cut through the complexity so HR, payroll, and finance professionals can head into the new financial year with clarity and confidence.

    We cover:

    • Fiscal drag and frozen thresholds: what the rise in tax revenue to 37-38% of GDP means for employees and employers
    • Scottish income tax band changes and what payroll teams need to update
    • Student Loan Plan 5: the new starter checklist rules and how to apply them correctly
    • Statutory payment rate increases for SSP, SMP and parental pay
    • Payrolling benefits in kind: voluntary registration deadline and preparing for mandatory payrolling in 2027
    • Fair Work Agency launch on 7 April: enforcement powers, naming and shaming, and what it means for compliance
    • National Minimum Wage pitfalls: unpaid working time, salary sacrifice traps, apprentice rates and the 389 employers named and shamed
    • Holiday pay complexity: average pay calculations, audit risk and Fair Work Agency enforcement ahead
    • Statutory Sick Pay overhaul: day one rights, two-tier rates, transitional protections and software readiness
    • Pensions update: frozen auto-enrolment thresholds, pensions dashboard progress and tax relief confusion
    • EV and hybrid car salary sacrifice: myths debunked, NMW risks, company car tax increases through to 2028-29 and maternity leave traps

    Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on notifications to stay updated with every Payroll Question Time.

    Learn more about SD Worx Academy training courses: https://www.sdworx.com/en-en

    Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4…

    Nick Day’s LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

    Our Panel:

    Simon Parsons, Director of UK Compliance Strategies at SD Worx

    Richard George, Payroll Leader

    Steve Yardley, Managing Director, JGA Recruitment

    Sam Mann, Payroll Consultant, Armstrong Watson LLP

    Hashtags: 

    #PayrollQuestionTime #EmploymentRightsBill #NMW2026 #UKPayroll #PayrollCompliance #HRCompliance #SSPChanges #PayrollingBenefits #HolidayPayRules #PayrollUpdates #TroncAndTips #TaxAdvisory #PayrollRiskManagement #PayrollLeadership #SDWorx #PayrollProfessionals #HRandPayroll #PayrollTraining #UKEmploymentLaw #PayrollAccuracy

    1 hr 29 min
  • From Invisible to Influential: The Shift Payroll Needs Now

    My first book: The Payroll Pivot book is out now!

    https://shorturl.at/rXBXP

    Payroll has long been seen as a “back office” function but what if that’s the biggest myth holding the industry back?

    In this episode, Anita Lettink steps in as host to interview Nick Day, CEO of JGA Recruitment and author of The Payroll Pivot, to explore why payroll professionals struggle with visibility and influence and how fear, self-perception, and mindset are holding the industry back from stepping into a more strategic role.

    It’s not technology.

    It’s not AI.

    It’s something much deeper: fear.

    Nick introduces his powerful “Fear Equation” (Anxiety + Uncertainty × Imagination) and explains how it silently shapes decision-making, confidence, and career growth across the payroll profession.

    This episode is sponsored by Deel

    Managing a global team is complex, Deel makes it simpler with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance all in one place. That's why over 35,000 businesses trust Deel to hire, pay, and manage their teams worldwide.

    See how Deel works at www.deel.com/nickday

    Connect with Anita: https://linkedin.com/in/anitalettink

    Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

    Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537e

    Stay tuned for the next episode of The Payroll Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!

    (00:00) Fear, uncertainty, and how payroll professionals perceive their role

    (01:29) Anita Lettink takes over as host and introduces Nick Day as the guest

    (02:40) Why Nick wrote The Payroll Pivot and the gap in the industry

    (03:32) How fear, anxiety, and uncertainty hold payroll professionals back

    (08:00) Nick’s writing journey and finding his authentic voice

    (13:55) Why the “back office” label is damaging payroll’s perception

    (22:35) The shift from invisibility to influence in payroll

    (23:41) Why payroll professionals struggle to speak up and be heard

    (29:41) Leadership, resilience, and navigating challenges with “true north”

    (33:49) The Fear Equation explained and how it impacts decision-making

    50 min
  • SSP Reform Is Coming: What Payroll Leaders Need to Know About Transitional Protection

    This episode is sponsored by Deel

    Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickday/

    Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) reform is one of the most significant payroll changes in years. Yet most of the complexity isn’t in the headline changes. It’s in what happens beneath the surface.


    In this episode of the Payroll Podcast, Nick Day is joined by payroll software expert Jason Sweby to break down exactly what’s changing, why it matters, and how payroll teams can prepare for the transition.


    The reform aims to expand access to sick pay, bringing over a million lower-paid workers into eligibility while removing waiting days and introducing new calculation rules. On paper, it sounds simple. In practice, it introduces one of the most technically complex transitions payroll professionals have had to navigate.


    Nick and Jason unpack the biggest challenges, including how transitional protection works across the tax year boundary, why payroll systems need to track historical data, and where employers are most likely to get caught out.


    They also explore the broader impact of the reform. From increased employer costs to potential shifts in employee behaviour, this episode gives you the context you need to understand not just what is changing, but what it means for your organisation.


    If you are responsible for payroll, compliance, or people operations, this conversation will help you approach SSP reform with clarity and confidence.


    Topics covered in this episode:

    1. What SSP reform is trying to achieve
    2. Key changes to eligibility and waiting days
    3. How the new SSP calculation works
    4. Transitional protection explained simply
    5. Payroll system and compliance challenges
    6. Employer cost implications
    7. How to prepare for April implementation
    8. Future payroll trends including payrolling of benefits

    Subscribe to the Payroll Podcast for more insights on payroll, compliance, and the future of work.


    Jason’s previous appearance on The Payroll Podcast: https://youtu.be/ty3qv1F1sP0


    Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thehrldpodcast for more great content!


    Connect with Jason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-sweby-6753bb1/

    Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

    Payroll Talent Recruitment: www.jgarecruitment.com

    Advertise Payroll Roles: www.payrolljobsboard.com

    Know Your Worth in Payroll: www.payrollhrsalary.com


    (00:00) Introduction to SSP Reform

    (02:51) What the Reform Is Trying to Achieve

    (04:03) Why SSP Is Changing Now

    (05:55) Policy vs System Change Explained

    (07:13) Key Changes to SSP Rules

    (09:46) Why Transitional Protection Matters

    (10:26) Inside HMRC Guidance & Developer Insights

    (13:05) Technical Challenges for Payroll Systems

    (17:58) Biggest Risks for Employers

    (18:44) Is the Payroll Industry Ready?

    (19:55) Impact on Employees & Behaviour

    (22:22) How Payroll Leaders Should Prepare

    (24:32) Edge Cases & Transitional Nuances

    (25:59) Future Payroll Changes to Watch

    (30:42) The Role of Payroll Software Moving Forward

    (33:23) Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways


    #Payroll #SSP #PayrollPodcast #HR #Compliance #PayrollManagement #EmploymentLaw #HRTech #PayrollReform #FutureOfWork


    36 min
  • Should Payroll Merge with Reward? | Payroll PQT February

    In this episode: Payroll vs Reward Debate | P11D Electronic Mandate | BACS Hash Dropped | Pension Dashboard Delay

    Payroll Question Time is brought to you by SD Worx. SD Worx offers smart, tailored and integrated HR and Payroll solutions, along with the local expertise, global reach and reliable service you need to grow your business today!


    The 100th HMRC employer bulletin just landed, and it changes more than you think.


    In this episode of Payroll Question Time, host Nick Day and our expert panel tackle the growing debate on whether payroll should align with reward, break down the February 2023 employer bulletin bombshells, and explore what the future of payroll skills really looks like.


    From mandatory electronic P11D filing and the sudden death of informal payrolling to the surprise removal of the BACS hash and key pension dashboard delays, we cover what payroll and HR leaders need to act on right now.


    We cover:

    1. Should payroll align with reward or stand as its own strategic profession
    2. P11D paper filing now banned — electronic submissions mandatory from 2022-23
    3. Informal payrolling no longer tolerated — register by 5th April or stop
    4. BACS hash field 117 dropped at short notice with no regulatory clarity
    5. Payroll analytics as the next critical skill for senior professionals
    6. Devolved government changes for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
    7. SSP linked periods and the 8-week reset rule
    8. Pay on demand, salary advances and RTI return implications
    9. HMRC employer PAYE direct debit issues and penalty risks
    10. Pensions dashboard delay and what data payroll teams need to prepare
    11. Collective defined contribution schemes and pension super funds explained
    12. Auto-enrolment edge cases including salary sacrifice and temporary workers


    Don't forget to subscribe and turn on notifications to stay updated with every Payroll Question Time.


    Learn more about SD Worx Academy training courses: https://www.sdworx.com/en-en


    Nick Day's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/


    Our Panel:

    Simon Parsons, UK Director of Compliance Strategies at SD Worx

    Richard George, Director of Education at the Payroll Centre

    Lou Gray, Associate Director at Evelyn Partners

    Andy Nichols, Payroll and Pensions Expert, The Pensions Regulator


    #PayrollQuestionTime #PayrollAndReward #P11DChanges #UKPayroll #PayrollCompliance #HRCompliance #BacsHash #PayrollAnalytics #PensionsDashboard #PayrollUpdates #DevolvingGovernments #SSPRules #PayrollLeadership #SDWorx #PayrollProfessionals #HRandPayroll #PayrollTraining #UKEmploymentLaw #CIPP #Reward300


    ---


    ## CHAPTERS


    (00:00) Introduction and Welcome to Payroll Question Time

    (02:00) Next PQT Date and Housekeeping

    (03:43) Meet the Panel: Simon, Richard, Lou and Andy

    (05:46) Today's Discussion Points

    (06:25) Should Payroll Be Aligned with Reward?

    (09:19) Lou: Keep Them Separate but Know the Tax

    (12:20) Richard: Payroll Is Strategic to Every Benefit Decision

    (15:38) Why Reward Should Report into Payroll, Not the Other Way

    (16:52) Should the Apprenticeship Title Change to Payroll and Reward?

    (20:12) Andy: Payroll Is the End of the Line for Everything

    (22:07) Simon: Does Renaming Devalue the Profession?

    (22:43) GPMI Payroll Analytics Course: Is This the Future?

    (26:10) Poll Results: 55% Say Payroll and Reward Belong Together

    (28:00) Payroll as a Profit Centre Through Data and Analytics

    (33:52) Lou: Automation, Software Skills and Process Improvement

    (36:49) The European HCM and Payroll Tech Market Hits 35 Billion

    (37:56) Audience Question: Offshoring Payroll to Cheaper Locations

    (42:51) Devolved Governments: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

    (46:38) Poll: How Do You Handle the P11D Form?

    (51:05) HMRC Bulletin: P11D Paper Filing Banned from This Year

    (54:48) Informal Payrolling Ends — Register by 5th April

    (57:54) BACS Hash Field 117 Dropped with No Warning

    (1:00:05) How Far Back Must You Correct Year-to-Date Figures?

    (1:02:08) Pay on Demand and RTI Return Complications

    (1:04:23) HMRC Direct Debit Deadline Warning

    (1:05:10) SSP Linked Periods: The 8-Week Reset Rule

    (1:06:41) Is the HMRC Direct Debit Worth the Risk?

    (1:09:35) Simon Parsons Tax Year Special Webinar: 3rd March

    (1:10:29) Pension Updates: Retirement Age, Dashboard and CDCs

    (1:15:06) What Data Will Payroll Need for the Pensions Dashboard?

    (1:18:19) Opt-In Contributions: Hold or Pay Over Immediately?

    (1:20:06) Auto-Enrolment for Ukrainian Refugees

    (1:21:21) Filing RTI Without a PAYE Authorisation Code

    (1:22:25) Pension Payment Deadlines and Whistleblowing Penalties

    (1:24:06) Should Regulators Promote Auto-Enrolment More?

    (1:25:07) Wrap-Up and Next PQT: 24th March 2023

    1 hr 27 min
  • Inside the EU Pay Transparency Directive and Its Impact on Employers with Lewis Roskilly

    This episode is sponsored by Deel

    Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickday/

    The EU Pay Transparency Directive is one of the biggest regulatory changes facing payroll, HR, and reward leaders across Europe. With the June 2026 deadline approaching, many organizations are still figuring out what the legislation requires and how to prepare their pay structures, reporting processes, and reward frameworks.


    In this special Payroll Podcast panel discussion, Lewis Roskilly (Global Reward Lead at JGA Recruitment) leads a conversation with experts in employment law and reward strategy to break down the real implications of pay transparency.


    The panel explores gender pay gap reporting, job evaluation, pay architecture, and the risks of manager discretion in compensation decisions, while sharing practical guidance on how organizations can prepare before the directive goes live.


    If you work in payroll, HR, reward strategy, or compliance, this episode provides clear insights on how to prepare for the EU Pay Transparency Directive.


    Subscribe to The Payroll Podcast with Nick Day for more conversations shaping the future of payroll and reward.



    Connect with Lewis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-roskilly

    Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

    Payroll Talent Recruitment: www.jgarecruitment.com

    Advertise Payroll Roles: www.payrolljobsboard.com

    Know Your Worth in Payroll: www.payrollhrsalary.com



    (00:00) Methodology And Audit Trails In Pay Reporting

    (00:52) Why The EU Pay Transparency Directive Matters

    (03:54) Panel Introduction: Reward, Law And Pay Transparency Experts

    (09:22) Gender Data And Reporting Without Forced Disclosure

    (14:37) Equal Value Work: Job Descriptions vs Real Duties

    (22:07) EU Implementation Timelines And Possible Delays

    (27:52) Building A Cross-EU Pay Transparency Strategy

    (34:31) Using Pay Transparency To Build Trust And Culture

    (40:01) Building Pay Architecture And Fixing Legacy Pay Systems

    (43:12) Who Is Responsible For Accurate Job Descriptions?

    (46:33) Why Manager Discretion Creates Legal Risk

    (48:28) The Four-Step Framework To Prepare For Pay Transparency

    (51:52) Why UK Employers Will Still Be Impacted

    (55:09) Unexpected Benefits Of Pay Transparency

    (58:28) Final Takeaways And Next Steps For Employers

    1 hr 3 min
  • The Behavioural Science Behind Perfect Payroll and Compliance with Lars Hyland

    This episode is sponsored by Deel

    Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickday/

    Most payroll errors are not caused by systems or legislation. They are caused by human decisions made under pressure.


    My guest today, Lars Hyland, is a global learning strategist, former Chief Learning Officer, and Founder of Enlytning, a behavioural learning platform designed to improve judgement, reduce risk, and strengthen compliance.


    While companies invest heavily in payroll technology, automation, and compliance processes, the real challenge often lies in how people interpret policies, make decisions, and apply processes in real situations.


    Lars explains why traditional compliance training and tick-box learning rarely change behavior, and how organisations can improve payroll accuracy by focusing on judgment, context, and behavioral reinforcement. The conversation also explores how AI, micro-learning, and scenario-based training can help teams make better decisions and reduce risk before mistakes ever reach the payroll run.


    If you want to understand the real drivers of payroll accuracy and how modern learning and performance support strategies can strengthen compliance across your organisation, this episode offers valuable insights for payroll leaders, HR professionals, and operations teams.



    Connect with Lars on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larshyland/

    Enlytning - Your policies and training, automated by AI: https://www.enlytning.com


    Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

    Payroll Talent Recruitment: www.jgarecruitment.com

    Advertise Payroll Roles: www.payrolljobsboard.com

    Know Your Worth in Payroll: www.payrollhrsalary.com

    52 min
  • Inside the Evolution of Modern Payroll and Leadership with Karen Beckett

    This episode is sponsored by Deel

    Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickday/

    From accidental payroll clerk to award-winning NHS leader.

    In this episode of The Payroll Podcast, Nick Day speaks with Karen Beckett, Head of Payroll & Benefits at Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, about her 40-year journey in payroll and how the profession has evolved from manual processing to strategic influence.


    They discuss NHS payroll complexity, pensions, RTI, technology transformation, hybrid leadership, and why payroll is shifting from transactional work to transformational impact. Karen also shares insights on building an award-winning team and why payroll is now a powerful, purpose-driven career path.


    If you work in payroll, HR, finance, or reward, this episode explores the future of payroll leadership and the growing strategic value of pay and pensions.



    Karen Beckett’s’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-beckett-ba-hons-chfcipp-2116a211b/

    Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

    Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537e

    Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thehrldpodcast for more great content!


    (00:00) Why Payroll Really Matters in the NHS

    (03:13) Lesson after 40 years in Payroll

    (07:59) Public vs Private Sector Payroll

    (10:13) Major Milestones: ESR & RTI Implementation

    (14:43) From Technical Expert to Payroll Leader

    (19:32) Building an Award-Winning Payroll Team

    (25:12) Leadership Lessons & Not Taking It Personally

    (30:58) Leading Through Crisis

    (34:13) The Evolution of Payroll Technology

    (42:32) Raising the Profile of the Payroll Profession

    (46:25) Why Payroll Is a Serious Career Path

    (49:02) Transactional to Transformational: The Future of Payroll

    (51:44) Vault: Career Advice & Underrated Skills

    (56:29) Legacy: The Impact of 40 Years in Payroll

    1 hr
  • Why Payroll Is the Most Underrated Function in Business with Stephen Abbotts

    This episode is sponsored by Deel

    Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickday/

    Payroll runs every business.

    Yet most leaders still treat it like admin.

    After 51 years in the profession, Stephen Abbotts says that mindset is costing companies millions.

    Stephen is Director of Payroll Services at Azets and a Lifetime Achievement Award winner. He’s seen payroll evolve from paper payslips to AI, and he’s built payroll teams into strategic, revenue-driving functions along the way.

    In this conversation, he shares the lessons that shaped his career and why payroll deserves a seat at the boardroom table.

    Stephen Abbotts’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-abbotts-2530232

    Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

    Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537e



    (00:00) Why Payroll is Undervalued

    (03:42) What Payroll Really Means

    (04:17) Payroll in the 1970s

    (05:25) The Biggest Shift in Payroll

    (08:47) Learning Payroll With Zero Training

    (10:29) Public vs Private Sector

    (13:32) Changing Jobs at 62 (And Taking the Risk)

    (18:13) The Power of Payroll Data Most Leaders Miss

    (20:01) Turning Payroll From Cost Centre Into Profit Driver

    (23:52) Hiring for Data, Not Payroll

    (37:55) Will AI Replace Payroll?

    (40:43) Scaling a £20M Payroll Operation

    (44:36) One Rule for Success

    (47:14) Why Payroll Deserves a Seat at the Boardroom

    50 min

About The Payroll Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Payroll gets noticed when it goes wrong. That's about it. Which is a strange way to treat the function that pays everybody.

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Out of Frame by Platform Media for CrewHQ at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden

Out of Frame

2 Listeners