Is the role of the 'Chief Payroll Officer' a real thing, and can it become a norm in the modern C-suite? Ciaran Strachan MBA and the Australian Workforce Compliance Council Ltd aren't simply hoping for it...they are working with the Australian government to create the model that will facilitate exactly that. On the latest episode of the HR & Payroll 2.0 Podcast, Julie and I dive into the work at the #AWCC to establish #payroll as a profession, align practitioner credentials, education, and degrees with that of lawyers and accountants, establish the role of the 'CPO', and collaborate closely with the government on industry standards such as future #payroll and #HR system configuration design. https://lnkd.in/efE43dzK
Pt2 of 2. This is why our Payroll Professional survey (link below) and followed up submission to the Federal Government (link below) resulted in the creation of Payroll Manager, and at skill level 2 in ANZSCO. If we had an appropriate degree in place (which does not exist and we have to create) we would have been able to elevate both Payroll Officer from skill level 4 to 1, and in addition to Payroll Manager being created, had it elevated to skill level 1 instead of 2. If you wish to fix this by building the country’s first degree in payroll, and support the only member owned payroll association who works for its members interests only, consider joining AWCC Ltd’s Payroll Association Division when it launches later this year. Payroll Professional ANZSCO survey. https://awcc.asn.au/2023-anzsco-payroll-survey-results/ AWCC Ltd creates Payroll Manager, and Payroll officer submission to Government. https://awcc.asn.au/awcc-submission-workplace-relations-proposed-changes-may-2023/
Pt1 of 2. A point of clarification regarding payroll qualifications. As stated in the interview, I consider nobody is qualified in Australia to do payroll. This statement is predicated on our research of the profession, including all courses available from Certificate IV and Diplomas in Payroll (AQF 4/5) and ANZSCO skill level 4 professions where Payroll is currently assigned (low skill equivalent), to ANZSCO skill level 1 professions (DRs, Lawyers and Accountants), who must have degrees (not Diplomas) including Bachelors and Post Graduate degrees and Certifications including Grad Dips and Masters (AQF 7 to 9). It is our position that in order to promote the growth and recognition of the profession in the eyes of both the state (all Governments and their Departments including the ATO and FWC/FWO) and the private sectors C-Suite, Payroll needs to do better than Diplomas and being content with sitting at skill level 4.
Tracy Angwin
9mo
A small correction. Australia has a large number of qualified payroll professionals. See our 2024 national payroll survey for the details. The delivering RTO is Australian Payroll Institute www.payroll.edu.au
Sven Ringling
8mo
It doesn't make any sense imo. No disrespect at all - Payroll is a very important function that needs to work properly with often underestimated complexity. But it's first and foremost an operational hygiene factor. It's not making strategic decisions, but executes decisions by HR and to some extent finance and OPS. It needs to be heard by HR, IT, finance and others so their decisions don't hinder compliant execution of payroll, but doesn't make head of payroll a C-suite role any more than head of AP, head of AR, head of office facilities etc.
Rudi De Roeck 🔵🟡
9mo
Great insights Pete, as always. I think that we're having these interesting discussions because payroll professionals often (not always) feel that payroll is not represented properly at Board level, either by our CHRO or by our CFO. I agree that a CPO would be a good idea, but I'd rather see that acronym translated to Committed Payroll Officer.
A big thankyou to Pete A. Tiliakos and Julie Fernandez for having me on HR & Payroll 2.0 Podcast.
Monica J.
9mo
Excellent initiative!
I support this concept. Payroll is a very unique and important function. With experience, the numbers tell a compelling story and you have to have an “eye” for it. It’s a very strategic function and this role would provide so much valuable input
Thyaga Rajesh
8mo
There is a significant difference between the functioning of HR vs Payroll. But both are clubbed to gather. Payroll means - time-sensitive, accuracy, compliance and high priority. HR does not carry some of the same characteristics.
Future of Work Speaker | Payroll & HR Tech Advisor | Pay Transparency | Author | Linkedin Top Voice
8moWhy oh why would we need a Chief Payroll Officer? Look, I know how important payroll is. But iI just don’t follow this need to be in the C-Suite. Isn’t it enough that payroll professionals provide a major internal service? Why do we feel the need to split it up from HR: do we then also need a Chief Learning Officer? AChief Health & Wellness Officer? And looking at employees, we should not focus on payroll: we should focus on the output. That means a Global Rewards Officer (or similar) not a Payroll Officer. But my preference: make sure that you have a great CHRO or CPO who can make their case about the importance of employee pay and compensation.