When you think of payroll, it’s easy to imagine a simple process: work, get paid, repeat. But behind that straightforward cycle lies an intricate network of operations, systems, and strategy that most employees—and many businesses—rarely see. In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, host Chris Howard is joined by LACE payroll experts Chris Kirby and Nick Osborne-Moore to dive into our recent whitepaper, “Optimal Payroll Starts with the Foundations”. Together, they take listeners behind the scenes to explore what it truly takes to build a world-class payroll function.
Truly effective payroll isn’t just about paying people on time—it’s about building resilient, scalable systems that support the wider business. The discussion centres around the whitepaper’s “seven pillars” of payroll success:
- Operating model – A defined operating model ensures payroll is structured to align with business needs.
- Technology – Technology should be chosen based on clear requirements, not to compensate for, broken processes.
- Skills and capabilities – Payroll teams need a mix of technical and soft skills to deliver more than just transactions.
- Data and reporting – Effective payroll reporting turns accurate data into strategic insight that supports better business decisions.
- Process optimisation – Streamlined, end-to-end processes reduce manual workarounds and improve efficiency.
- Adaptability and scalability – Payroll must be built to handle growth, change, and complexity without constantly adding more resources.
- Training and mindset – A continuous improvement mindset and access to the right training are key to evolving payroll into a strategic function.
In this podcast Nick and Chris explain how each pillar represents a critical area where businesses can make meaningful improvements.
It’s evident that payroll has outgrown its transactional roots. For organisations looking to future-proof their payroll function, investing in the foundational elements outlined in the whitepaper is essential. Listen now for a concise overview of how to build the foundations of an optimal payroll function. For a deeper dive into the seven key pillars, download our full whitepaper.
