Two Years in the Payroll Profession: A Personal Reflection

Two years ago, I stepped into my payroll position with Peopleconnexion. Coming from a background which was more a shared payroll and HR environment, I knew I wanted to shift to a sole payroll focus and it push me professionally and personally. As I recently reached my 2-year milestone, I wanted to share my reflection of challenges, growth, and a continuous dance with ever-evolving regulations and contractor payroll amendments within organisations!

Most of all, I find myself celebrating achievements of the challenges overcome and looking forward to the road of continuous growth which lies ahead.

My journey would not have been possible without the profound support from the entire team at Peopleconnexion, both in POM and across the shores in Australia, but mostly to my manager, Mari-lette Coleman . It is thanks to her never-ending support, coaching and mentoring in the world of payroll and contracting that I have grown. In addition, a thanks to Stephen Mead , our PNG Country Manager for always pushing me to be better than yesterday.

Professional Growth:

Some of my connexions may ask: what does growth look like in the payroll space? Well, from deciphering tax laws to learning the intricacies of compliance, I've acquired a toolkit of skills that extends beyond simple number crunching. The dynamic nature of payroll keeps me on my toes, demanding continuous learning and adaptability to stay ahead in this ever-changing landscape.

Similarly, whether it was wrestling with complex payroll processes, ensuring pin-point accuracy or staying ahead of regulatory shifts, each challenge became an opportunity for growth.

As is the case with mastering your role in any profession, it was also about the need to be more agile, confident, precise and adaptable to a fast pace learning style to ensure you do just that, adapt!

By strengthening my resilience and confidence in these areas I was not only able to improve my professional acumen and working efficiency, but also added layers to my expertise.

Team Collaboration:

Collaboration has emerged as a cornerstone of my payroll journey. Even though payroll is its own unique department/function, navigating through the details of payroll involves close collaboration with management, admin support and at times, the entire Peopleconnexion team. In addition, as we began to evolve into not just in payroll services, but contractor management as well, a whole new set of skills were built to ensure proficient management and support of our contractors and nurture these close working relationships.

As I reflect, I evaluate the effectiveness of our teamwork and communication. Strengthening these aspects becomes a focal point for fostering a more cohesive work environment. Being in a smaller organisation that has the ability to pivot and provide quick, yet quality solutions to our clients has resulted in a much more valuable journey not just as an employee but for our clients too.

Technology Integration:

The relentless march of technology has left an indelible mark on the payroll landscape.

My previous role in another company utilised a different software which had its own challenges, therefore adapting to new payroll software and one with automated tools and technological advancements has been a rewarding challenge.

At Peopleconnexion, we pride ourselves on our automated systems and processes and becoming proficient in these was something I learnt quickly and am thankful to be a part of such systems which make not only the payroll function more efficient, but more efficient for our contractors and the people we work with.

Compliance and Regulations:

Staying compliant with tax laws and regulations has been a perpetual challenge as I have never done Tax Calculations nor had a fair idea of how tax was calculated until 2 years ago. I am proud to now navigate this complex landscape of calculations and understand the PNG Tax Policies and threshold ensuring the right side of compliance.

This has proved to be a vital aspect of the role as I am sure many know; non-compliance carries significant consequences – and this is a promise we offer our clients.

Achievements:

While I have listed the above challenges, these are all victories to celebrate.

I must express my gratitude for the rigorous training and development offered to me by Peopleconnexion. After hours, perhaps weeks’ worth of training on systems and processes, weekly staff-wide Tuesday Training sessions, countless one-on-ones with my direct Coach & Mentor, and advice and guidance from our PNG Country Manager, I have been able to confidently navigate my role and found a strong working foundation to build my professional development on.

Meeting deadlines, improving efficiency, and successfully managing payroll for a growing workforce are accomplishments that deserve acknowledgment.

Setting goals for my future within the payroll niche, I hope to complete additional certifications, embrace more responsibilities and explore opportunities for leadership roles.

In conclusion, my two years within Peopleconnexion PNG Ltd payroll niche have been a personal odyssey, marked by growth, challenges and a constant pursuit of excellence.

As I continue on this journey, the ability to adapt, learn, and set new goals remains pivotal for sustained success in the intricate and ever-evolving world of payroll management.