Reflections from Payroll Live North
A couple of weeks ago, I had the fantastic opportunity to take the stage at Payroll Live North, held at the iconic Etihad Stadium in Manchester. This free-to-attend event brought together payroll professionals from all corners of the UK to share insights, discuss current challenges, and celebrate the unsung heroes of every business – the payroll teams.
I was joined on stage by the brilliant Gemma Mullis from IPP Education, where we explored a topic both of us are incredibly passionate about: “Recruiting the Next Generation of Payroll Professionals.”
Here are some key takeaways from our session, as well as my personal reflections.
Why Payroll Recruitment Matters Now More Than Ever
Let’s start with the obvious but often overlooked truth: No payroll = no people.
It might sound cheesy, but it’s absolutely true. Payroll is the beating heart of every organisation. Yet, we still find ourselves needing to sell the value of payroll to both future professionals and the businesses hiring them.
Why is this so important? Because without investing in the right payroll talent:
- Mistakes happen.
- Staff leave.
- Reputations are damaged.
If your employees aren’t paid correctly or on time, it affects not just retention but your entire employer brand.
The good news? Even before the pandemic highlighted payroll’s importance (hello, key worker status!), many organisations had already started recognising the strategic value of a strong payroll department.
What Makes a Modern Payroll Professional?
The expectations placed on today’s payroll professionals are evolving rapidly.
Not only do they need to:
- Be agile in responding to legislative changes,
- Be accurate to ensure compliance,
They must now also be:
- Empathetic communicators – able to explain complex queries to colleagues in plain English,
- Customer-service focused, as payroll becomes more ‘people-facing’.
As Gemma rightly pointed out, curiosity is now a must-have skill. The best payrollers aren’t just ticking boxes—they’re constantly asking “how can we make this better?”
Hiring Tips for Businesses
We shared some practical advice for businesses looking to recruit payroll talent, whether at entry level or experienced hires:
- Salary vs. Total Rewards
While salaries have risen sharply in recent years, budgets haven’t always kept pace. So how else can you add value?
- Offer to fund CIPP qualifications or professional memberships. This supports career development while making your role more attractive.
- Provide flexible working or other wellbeing-focused benefits.
- Include learning platforms (like CIPP’s new Quick Learn modules!) to show you’re serious about growth.
Sometimes, these extras can even allow for a lower salary while still providing a more compelling overall package.
- Candidate Assessments: More Than a CV
The days of hiring solely based on years of experience or volume processed are gone.
Today, businesses need to assess:
- Soft skills – like attitude, learning agility, cultural fit
- Technology comfort – payroll systems are getting more advanced, and interest in AI is growing
- Mindset – is this someone who will adapt, grow, and innovate?
Look past the CV and into who they are. Interview techniques like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can help reveal the real potential.
- Recruitment Process Matters
In a competitive market, speed and communication are key.
Some top tips:
- Be clear on what you want: Must-haves vs. nice-to-haves.
- Block out interview time in advance to avoid delays.
- Stay in regular contact with your candidates or recruitment partners.
Even without updates, silence can be costly.
What Makes a Great Payroll Candidate?
Ah, the million-dollar question!
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s what I advise businesses to look for:
- Tenure vs. Variety: Someone with longevity may be perfect for a stable team. But if you’re looking for process improvement or transformation? A candidate with a diverse background who’s worked across multiple systems and sectors may be just what you need.
- Passion and Frustration: The best candidates often have a spark. They’re frustrated not because they’re difficult, but because they care deeply and want to make things better.
- Attention to Detail: If their CV has errors, what does that say about their accuracy on a payslip?
- Discretion: Payroll is confidential. You need professionals you can trust.
- Curiosity: Again, the hunger to improve is key.
For those looking to hire junior candidates, don’t discount people from non-traditional backgrounds like customer service, HR or finance admin. They often have transferrable skills and the right behaviours.
Apprenticeships: A Powerful Talent Pipeline
We also touched on apprenticeships, still a massively underutilised resource in our industry when recruiting.
Hiring an apprentice can:
- Grow a payroller who aligns with your systems and values
- Bring fresh ideas and energy into your team
- Support the wider development of payroll as a career of choice
If we want to secure the future of payroll, we need to build it.
Balancing Skills and Salary Expectations
A question I was asked at the end of our session was whether I felt there was a mismatch between payroll skills, experience and salary expectations.
And the answer? Sometimes, yes.
- Since COVID, many businesses have recognised payroll’s importance and have increased salaries accordingly.
- But that’s also led to inflated expectations from candidates—especially at junior or mid-level.
- On the flip side, businesses replacing long-serving employees often realise (too late) that they were severely underpaying them.
As salaries begin to level out nationally, benchmarking is more important than ever. I always recommend using tools like our Payroll Salary Guide when recruiting to ensure you’re offering fair and competitive packages.
And remember: inflated salaries don’t protect payroll, they put pressure on lean teams and can push people out of the industry. Balance is key.
Final Thoughts
Payroll is evolving. The people we need are evolving. So the way we recruit must evolve too.
It’s not just about filling a seat. It’s about building resilient, curious, and committed teams that keep the heart of the business beating.
Let’s continue to shine a spotlight on the value of payroll – and make it a career destination for the next generation.
Thanks again to everyone who attended Payroll Live North. It was a privilege to be part of the conversation.
Gillian Owen | Director | Connect with Gill
Joining Portfolio in 2018 to establish the Manchester office and support the Northern client base, Gillian is now a Director. With over 21 years of recruitment experience, she leads the Manchester Payroll team, specialising in senior-level appointments, while also assisting the Client Solutions team with legal recruitment needs.