Opportunities for advancement

How can you advance?

What roles can you have in payroll?

Legislation expert

Great for: experts who like to stay current and educate others.

Implementation

Great for: those who love a big project and enjoy working with stakeholders.

Payroll processing

Great for: doers who love clear processes, problem solving and calculations.

Software development

Great for: problem-solvers who like applying payroll knowledge.

Accountancy

Great for: maths experts looking for more responsibility.

Business operations

Great for: big-picture thinkers who want to make the business better.

Progression routes in payroll

Sometimes in your career you may wonder, “I've got this far, but what next?" It's helpful to know the common career journey for a payroll professional, which often looks like this.

1. Trainee

Usually, people start with a training programme or apprenticeship which teaches them the basics.

2. Admin

Once trained, you usually start by doing administrative work in a supportive role.

3. Specialist

Independent working with more responsibility in a mid-tier role.

4. Senior specialist

Becoming a seasoned expert in your field, you now lead and support others in the team.

5. Subject matter expert

Here you've honed your craft in one or two areas you're most passionate about and may take on a consultative role.

But there are plenty of other ways payrollers can progress in their industry, outside of the norm.

For example:

Joining the CIPP in a range of roles
Become a trainer to train others on payroll legislation, calculations, industry updates and more
Becoming a thought leader and influencer in payroll
Becoming a journalist or content creator, specialising in payroll

Other senior options for ambitious payrollers

Become a team leader

Becoming a people manager for the first time, or managing a larger team than the one you have already, is a great option for many.

Apply your skills in a new department

Apply your payroll knowledge in a different way by side-stepping into a new department, such as implementation or operations.

Find opportunities in a new business

If you’ve reached the ceiling of your current organisation, don’t be afraid to look elsewhere and see if there are bigger opportunities for you.

How can you stand out as the best candidate for a promotion?

Look for any new opportunities
Whether it’s working for a different team or on a different project, take on any chance to network and work on new things. The skills you learn and your experience in a range of projects will make you stand out, especially if you’ve adapted well and taken a proactive approach to complete a successful project.Train continuously
No matter your position, proactively engage in any on-the-job or external training you can to strengthen your expertise – and also get some qualifications under your belt, ready for your next interview. Take any training that’s offered to you, and ask if you want more!Keep up to date
The industry is always moving, so make sure you keep up. Stay up to date with any changes, including new legislation, new product functionality and new ways of working. Otherwise, you'll find yourself left behind.Advocate for yourself
Working in payroll can often be a thankless task, and you may feel you only get noticed when something goes wrong. So bring attention to your quality work, accuracy, positive professional relationships, and any other areas where you thrive to your managers and wider team.