National Payroll Week. AI, Recovery and comparing Payroll Professionals to F1 Cars.

Welcome back to Payroll Perspectives! It's that time of year again—our favourite week… NATIONAL PAYROLL WEEK! ??

16 Years Ago...

Let me take you back to 16 years ago when I started JGA Recruitment Group. Back then, the payroll industry was very different. Over the past two decades, I've had the privilege of watching it evolve—and I'm proud to say we've been able to help over 5,000 people find their place in this incredible world. That number still astonishes me. Wow!

I'll be honest with you readers... I've spent NPW away on vacation this year (lounging on a sunbed in Turkey). However, even from afar, I could feel the energy of NPW. With engaging roundtables, payroll competitions, and even a carnival celebration (shout out to Strictly Education Ltd for that), this year's NPW has been one of the best and biggest yet!

While I couldn't be there in person, I did get the opportunity to sit down with Jason Davenport MCIPP, MIoD , CEO of the The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) , for a pre-NPW Payroll Podcast special before jetting off. Jason is a real force in our industry—his positivity is infectious, and every time we chat, I walk away inspired. If you haven't had a chance to listen to our conversation yet, trust me, it's worth it. You can check it out [here].

So, what's the big takeaway this year?

The stakes for the payroll industry are higher than ever. As AI continues to transform the landscape, payroll professionals at all levels face new opportunities—and challenges. From automating calculations to addressing fraud risks, the future is bright but complex.

At JGA, we wanted to tackle this head-on. So, Natalie Lloyd and Tom Croughton, hosted an engaging roundtable in London that asked a critical question:

How is AI Shaping the Future of Payroll?

The conversations that unfolded were fascinating (okay, reader, I know I wasn't actually there. However, I have seen the attendee feedback!). From improving payroll compliance to revolutionising fraud detection, AI promises incredible advancements but raises critical concerns. My eBook on AI in payroll was the foundation of this discussion, and it's been thrilling to see it spark such important conversations. (If you haven't grabbed a copy yet, let me know, and I'll send one your way - [email protected].)

But AI isn't without its risks.

In fact, one of the more sobering moments from NPW was when Mark Paraskeva from paiyroll?asked a simple yet provocative question:

Do you know where your payslip goes?

This opened a floodgate of concerns about the dangers of AI in payroll, such as:

• Data Breaches: AI could expose sensitive information if systems aren't appropriately secured.
• Algorithmic Bias: Could AI's decision-making lead to discrimination within payroll processes
• Phishing Attacks: As AI makes it easier to create sophisticated scams, how can we protect employees from these threats?

These risks underscored the need for diligence. If your organisation uses AI in payroll, here's what we recommend readers:

• Conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) to identify risks before they become problems.
• Implement Strong Security Measures like encryption and regular updates.
• Monitor AI Systems to ensure accuracy and fairness.
• Train Your Teams to recognise security threats.
• Appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to ensure GDPR compliance.

Remember, your IT or compliance teams should not be the only ones concerned about these issues. Payroll teams are on the frontlines of protecting sensitive employee data.

Now, let's talk about recovery (and F1 Cars).? ?

Why? Because this year, in between all the NPW buzz, I managed to take a family vacation, and I think we all often overlook the importance of recovery in our busy lives in our fast-paced worlds.

So, in August, I travelled to Denmark to compete in Ironman Copenhagen, an event that pushed me to my physical limits (and yes, I completed it in 10:09:09, despite a puncture ??). However, after that, I spent two wonderful weeks in Turkey with my family, resting, recharging, and reflecting on how crucial recovery is—not just in sports but in life and business.

Like in Formula 1, where races are won and lost in the pits, the key to long-term success often lies when we step back. You can have the fastest, most finely-tuned car on the track, but if you don't pull into the pits to change tyres and refuel, you won't finish the race. The same principle applies to our careers and personal lives. We need those pit stops to rejuvenate, reflect, and refocus. I know only too well that those of you who work in payroll rarely take enough rest or breaks to recover adequately.

So remember, reader (as the saying goes):

"Rest isn't just a break from the race; it's part of winning it."

Staying on track with the Future of Payroll

Bringing the conversation back to NPW and speaking of the future of payroll, our very own Abu Choudhury represented JGA Recruitment Group at the NPW The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) roundtable, where the conversation pivoted to how payroll careers will evolve in the face of these challenges.

He also had the pleasure of celebrating the industry at the Sky Garden with some of the UK's most experienced payroll leaders—a night that captured the essence of National Payroll Week.

Whether you're just starting in payroll, looking to progress, or want to understand how AI will transform our work, there's no better time to dive in.

Talking of career paths, if you want to download our free Payroll Career Path Chart - click here

And, as always, if you need help knowing where to start, we at JGA Recruitment are always here to help!

At JGA, we're passionate about supporting payroll professionals and building top-performing teams. Don't hesitate to ask if you need help finding the right talent or securing your next role.

Here's to another year of success, innovation, and growth in the payroll industry!

Best wishes,

Natalie & Nick ??

[email protected] | 01727 800 377

[email protected]