being qualified Being payroll/pensions qualified
Carole Mellis MCIPPDip, Payroll Manager at Sparrows Global Services Ltd, explains why she wanted to attain the CIPP’s Foundation Degree in Payroll Management and sets out the effects of achieving it
Why did you decide to study the CIPP’s Foundation Degree in Payroll Management?
After twenty years working in the payroll profession I decided to undertake the CIPP’s FD in Payroll Management, which is an industry recognised and respected qualification, with the aim of further expanding my payroll knowledge, adding value to the payroll team and the company as a whole whilst improving my own career prospects by achieving the qualification.
How important would you rate qualifications to the payroll profession? Payroll qualifications are highly valued by employers in today’s workplace with the FD in Payroll Management a preferred qualification many employers are seeking when recruiting payroll professionals. They know they will get a highly skilled and knowledgeable individual with an understanding of the importance the benefits of lifelong learning brings in the ever-changing world of payroll legalisation and procedures.
How did you cope with the pressure as, like a qualification, payroll is very deadline driven? Working full-time, looking after a family and studying is no mean feat but I quickly realised that planning my workload according to the requirements of each module, disciplining myself to ensure I stuck to the plan and making good use of the local university library resources was the key to success. There were, of course, the odd social occasions that were forgone in favour of study but with careful planning these were few and far between. For me it was a daunting and somewhat scary thought returning to study after a long time out of education, but the CIPP tutors were immensely supportive throughout the course and the camaraderie built up with my fellow
classmates where we all supported and helped each other was invaluable. For someone who is thinking about studying for a CIPP qualification what would your advice be to them? I would advise anyone thinking of
undertaking a CIPP qualification to take the plunge. The course content is so relevant and useful for any individual working within a payroll environment. It will open up so many avenues where you can add value to the payroll function of your workplace as well as building your own knowledge, confidence and reputation as a valued payroll professional.
What have you gained from studying the qualification? Undertaking the FD in Payroll Management has given me the knowledge to implement so many improvements within the payroll team raising the standard of service and the reputation of the team to both internal and external customers whilst reducing costs associated with producing the company payrolls through improved efficiencies. The management skills learned on the course provided me with the skills and understanding needed to develop individuals within the team
helping them to reach and achieve their own qualifications whether it be ACCA or CIPP qualifications, all of which lead the team to be nominated and reach the finals of the 2013 CIPP in-house payroll team of the year award.
How has it helped you in your career and how you manage payroll? Increased efficiencies and improved processes within the team have given the company confidence to begin a programme of integrating overseas payrolls previously done locally into the payroll team providing further efficiencies for the company and development opportunities for the payroll team. A challenge welcomed by the team.
Embarking on the course I quickly came to realise how much I enjoy research and project work. In particular, the work-based project was a large piece of work which presented me with the opportunity of using a variety of methods to research in-depth a real problem area within the company. It gave me a real understanding of why the problem existed, and therefore to make workable recommendations for improvements to the process. Project management and research are areas I would like to do more of in the future in the work environment or by undertaking the MSc in Business and Reward Management. Undertaking the qualification also uncovered within me a real satisfaction in sharing the knowledge I have gained to help others grow and develop, so much so I am keen to become a CIPP tutor myself supporting other students to achieve their own goals and qualifications.
I found the whole experience of
undertaking the FD in Payroll Management immensely enjoyable and rewarding.
PP
PayrollProfessional 43
Helping you enhance your career professional development
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