This episode is sponsored by 'Deel: Your Forever People Platform.'

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 teams worldwide.

See how Deel works: https://www.deel.com/nickday/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=nickday&utm_campaign=emea-t1a-gb_aware_branding_nickday_podcast_fin-nickday-h125_all_all&utm_content=aware_all_podcast_fin-preroll-h125script_en

Payroll is no longer just about payslips. It’s becoming the beating heart of business strategy.

In this episode, Nick Day speaks with Anna Hammarkvist, CEO of Amesto AccountHouse and former Global Payroll Manager of the Year, to explore how payroll is transforming into a strategic force within organizations.

From her early days as a receptionist to leading one of the top Nordic payroll and accounting firms, Anna shares her remarkable leadership journey—and why collaboration, simplicity, and bravery are shaping the future of payroll. She also reflects on the evolving role of payroll professionals, the need for stronger integration with business leadership, and what the future of work might look like by 2030.

Whether you're in payroll, HR, finance, or executive leadership, this episode will challenge how you think about payroll's role in driving business success.

Connect with Anna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-hammarkvist-72a73919/

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) Preview

(01:05) Introducing Anna Hammarkvist & the Nordic Payroll Landscape  

(10:25) How Payroll Has Evolved in Europe  

(14:59) AI, Automation & Digital Transformation in Payroll  

(19:14) Human Skills Payroll Leaders Need Now  

(28:27) Anna’s Leadership Philosophy & Lessons  

(33:11) Balancing Strategy with Day-to-Day Operations  

(36:29) Big Challenges: Complexity & Collective Agreements  

(40:50) The Future of Payroll Roles & Business Partnering  

(43:23) What Payroll Could Look Like by 2030