From Invisible to Influential: The Shift Payroll Needs Now

My first book: The Payroll Pivot book is out now!https://shorturl.at/rXBXPPayroll 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 DeelManaging 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/nickdayConnect with Anita: https://linkedin.com/in/anitalettinkNick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537eStay 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

This episode is sponsored by DeelHire, 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:What SSP reform is trying to achieveKey changes to eligibility and waiting daysHow the new SSP calculation worksTransitional protection explained simplyPayroll system and compliance challengesEmployer cost implicationsHow to prepare for April implementationFuture payroll trends including payrolling of benefitsSubscribe 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/ty3qv1F1sP0Enjoyed 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.comAdvertise Payroll Roles: www.payrolljobsboard.comKnow 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

In this episode: Payroll vs Reward Debate | P11D Electronic Mandate | BACS Hash Dropped | Pension Dashboard DelayPayroll 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:Should payroll align with reward or stand as its own strategic professionP11D paper filing now banned — electronic submissions mandatory from 2022-23Informal payrolling no longer tolerated — register by 5th April or stopBACS hash field 117 dropped at short notice with no regulatory clarityPayroll analytics as the next critical skill for senior professionalsDevolved government changes for Scotland, Wales and Northern IrelandSSP linked periods and the 8-week reset rulePay on demand, salary advances and RTI return implicationsHMRC employer PAYE direct debit issues and penalty risksPensions dashboard delay and what data payroll teams need to prepareCollective defined contribution schemes and pension super funds explainedAuto-enrolment edge cases including salary sacrifice and temporary workersDon'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-enNick Day's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Our Panel:Simon Parsons, UK Director of Compliance Strategies at SD WorxRichard George, Director of Education at the Payroll CentreLou Gray, Associate Director at Evelyn PartnersAndy 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

This episode is sponsored by DeelHire, 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-roskillyNick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Payroll Talent Recruitment: www.jgarecruitment.comAdvertise Payroll Roles: www.payrolljobsboard.comKnow 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

This episode is sponsored by DeelHire, 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.comNick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Payroll Talent Recruitment: www.jgarecruitment.comAdvertise Payroll Roles: www.payrolljobsboard.comKnow Your Worth in Payroll: www.payrollhrsalary.com

This episode is sponsored by DeelHire, 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/691ee4537eEnjoyed 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

This episode is sponsored by DeelHire, 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-2530232Nick 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

Vistra Website: https://www.vistra.com/Curtis’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tcurtisholmes/Payroll isn’t just admin anymore. It’s one of the most strategic functions in your business.In this episode of The Payroll Podcast, Nick Day sits down with Curtis Holmes, Executive Vice President, Global Payroll at Vistra, to unpack how payroll is evolving from back-office processing into a people-first, AI-enabled, trust-driven business function.After scaling iiPay 20x and helping power payroll across 170+ countries, Curtis shares what most organizations still get wrong about payroll, why trust matters more than technology, and how AI is transforming compliance, automation, and the future of payroll careers.If you think payroll is just payslips and processing, this conversation will change your perspective.This episode is sponsored by DeelHire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickday/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) Preview and Intro(01:36) Curtis’ Background and iiPay to Vistra Journey(03:56) From Software Leadership Into Payroll Tech(11:31) Why Payroll Is Now a Strategic Function(16:36) Pay Transparency and Global Compliance Challenges(24:13) How AI Enables Automation and Zero Touch Payroll(30:43) Vistra Scale, Enterprise Clients, and Trusted Partnerships(34:36) Career Advice and The Future of Payroll Leadership

This episode is sponsored by DeelHire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickday/Payroll leadership is not about control, perfection, or staying invisible. It is about trust.In this episode of the Payroll Podcast, Wendy Uutala shares how the most successful payroll teams are built by removing fear, developing confidence, and leading people before systems. Drawing from decades of experience across domestic and global payroll, Wendy breaks down what it actually takes to create high-trust teams that perform under pressure.The conversation explores mentorship as a leadership responsibility, why payroll professionals underestimate their expertise, and how confidence changes the way teams show up. Wendy also shares lessons from building global payroll operations, navigating compliance complexity, and leading across cultures without losing alignment.This episode is a deep dive into what modern payroll leadership really looks like and why people-first leadership is no longer optional for payroll teams that want to scale, retain talent, and earn trust across the business.If you work in payroll, HR, finance, or lead operational teams, this episode will change how you think about leadership inside payroll.Wendy Uutala (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-uutala-6b97285aNick 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) The Mindset Behind Great Payroll Leadership(04:21) Wendy’s Origin Story and How Payroll Chose Her(06:55) Owning Expertise and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome(09:52) Confidence as a Turning Point in Leadership(12:57) The Three Pillars: Trust, Communication, Collaboration(15:41) Why Trust Is the Currency of Payroll(17:35) From Domestic to Global Payroll Leadership(21:19) Navigating Culture, Compliance, and Global Complexity(25:16) Building High-Trust Teams Without Fear(31:03) Mentorship as a Leadership Responsibility(49:13) Scaling Impact Through Mentoring and Speaking(01:02:42) The Legacy Payroll Leaders Should Leave Behind

This episode is sponsored by DeelHire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickday/In this episode, we sit down with Kay Augustus, founder of Augustus Payroll Services, to unpack what it really takes to build a career in payroll by choice, not by accident.With over two decades of hands-on experience, Kay shares how the payroll profession has evolved, why compliance pressure is increasing for payroll teams and bureau owners, and where many businesses are still getting payroll wrong. We talk about legislation, systems, automation, and the human responsibility that sits behind every payslip.This conversation goes beyond processes and software. It explores the mindset required to run payroll well, the importance of professional standards, and why payroll is becoming one of the most critical operational functions inside modern organisations.If you work in payroll, HR, finance, or run a payroll bureau, this episode offers grounded insight from someone who lives and breathes the profession every day.Watch now to understand where payroll is heading and what it takes to stay compliant, credible, and confident in a fast-changing landscape.Connect with Kay: 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) What Payroll Really Means: Trust and Responsibility(04:13) From School Struggles to a Career in Payroll(07:45) Why Payroll Is Undervalued and Needs a Stronger Voice(09:17) Building a Business Through Personal Crisis(13:35) Acquiring 85 Clients in Two Weeks(18:40) How Personal Service Creates Client Trust(20:14) Building a Payroll Brand from Scratch(24:52) Winning Awards and Redefining Payroll Innovation(27:36) Becoming a Recognized Voice in the Payroll Industry(29:32) Leading with Empathy and Mental Health Awareness(33:55) Losing Identity at Work and Choosing Authenticity(37:26) Advice for Payroll Professionals Starting a Business(42:28) Lessons on Resilience and Dyslexia(44:06) Payroll as a Human Profession