a career in payroll?

[ajl]

Hi. I'm looking for some advice regarding a career in payroll from anyone working in a payroll job. Is the long term future of payroll good do you think or will there be less opertunities in the future due to software automating things or will there always be a need for payroll clerks and managers? * Thanks for any information received

 

[PuddlePayroll]

I think the career and demand of more experiences as qualified payrollers is only going to increase. We see this year RTI coming in which will cause new obstacles for businesses but also over the next few years auto enrolment for pensions which will need massive payroll input.

A system can do a lot of things and speed up processes but in payroll you are dealing with people and in my opinion that needs a person to manage.

 

[ajl]

Thanks for your reply.

My wifes employer, the county council use a payroll system that involves her immediate boss putting her hours directly into the payroll system and if she works extra etc she has to put this on herself for her boss to approve. Then to get her wage slip she logs on and its online in the same system. Don't get me wrong she has spoken to people in the payroll department who must ensure it all works correctly and fix any problems. Just seems to me they are getting the immediate supervisor to file everything and then the computer does the rest.

Obviously the new developments you mention may need more human input.

Any advice on how to go about starting a career in payroll? Experience is the obvious one but getting experience with no knowledge is difficult. Thought maybe learn sage 50 payroll then maybe the cipp technician course?

Thanks again.

 

[Ola1]

consider going the AAT route, that way you'll have more strings to your bow

 

[ajl]

Hi. I have looked in to AAT and other options. For some reason bookkeeping etc doesn't seem to interest me as much as I think payroll will. I know what your saying about more options but I'd rather enjoy what I was learning.

Thanks

 

[PuddlePayroll]

I did AAT and must admit you are either payroll or accounts. I didn't mind doing it but get much more enjoyment out of payroll.

Sure it is data in one end and out the other but a lot of time and work goes into the middle bit ensuring pay is correct.

I would look at a large company that may be recruiting for a junior'ish position. You will find most small business don't require a large payroll department. Where as larger ones have a stand alone payroll department.

CIPP qualifications are a good route and recognised through the industry now.

 

[HPS - Outsourced Payroll]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Hello[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Payroll is definitely challenging.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']AAT is a good all-round qualification for entry level however when I did the AAT some years ago, they didn't do payroll at Technician level, though it may have changed now. CIPP offer a number of courses and you can come in and do the NPC, (national payroll certificate).[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']We undertake 6 training courses per year in addition to spending a lot of time going over notices issued by HMRC.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']We are a small payroll bureau so have to make sure we are up to date.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Unless you want to work for yourself, I would recommend doing a general qualification and then specialising in one area.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']For instance, we advise clients on journals to make and will even put them together on a journal form so all they have to do is enter them as we put them down. Without the accounts knowledge, we would not be able to do this.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']You may also get funding to undertake the courses offered by the CIPP, though not sure how or where to go to find this out.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']I hope this has been of some help.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Toni - HPS [/FONT]