The COVID-19 pandemic has given people time they may not usually have to re-evaluate their life choices and for many, this has meant considering whether they are happy in their current career.

The thought of a career change can be a daunting prospect, but as lockdown restrictions continue to lift, and more job opportunities are becoming available as the economy reopens, now could be the ideal time to make a move for long-term reward.

Before making the decision to move jobs, you should think realistically about what career would be right for you. Assessing your interests, skills, and values is a useful first step in finding a career you could be well suited to.

So, do you think a career in payroll could be for you?

From making complex calculations to processing payments within strict deadlines, a role in payroll can be both challenging and fulfilling. The ability to solve problems such as compliance issues and tax discrepancies in a logical and efficient manner is a key skill for working in payroll. An aptitude for maths, in order to process complex data, numbers and calculations is also a key skill needed for the role.

Business operations have been challenged and altered for many over the past year. Increased pressure on internal operations has highlighted the importance of payroll as an essential part of any business. After all, a business can’t run without the ability to pay its employees.

In particular, a stronger emphasis has been placed on payroll in business continuity planning, with many businesses looking to outsource their payroll function as a long-term solution in response to the crisis.

Payroll processing can be time-consuming especially if businesses don’t have the time, money or resources for a dedicated payroll department. At Smith Cooper we take the burden of compliance away from our clients, removing the worry of completing monthly payroll on time, allowing them to focus time on other areas of the business – something which has been especially important when staffing resources have been strained for many over the past year.

A highly complex area in normal circumstances, payroll compliance can often be overlooked in terms of the complex legislation that needs to be adhered to, with penalties for non-compliance. We help our clients navigate this complex landscape, whatever their needs may be. Our flexible approach means we are able to offer a cost-effective service to businesses of any size, in any sector. From providing simple support such as assisting with pension contributions, to helping design and implement valuable improvements, or managing the entire payroll process.

We understand the importance of the payroll service offering and the difference it can make to our clients. Ensuring we have the right team on hand is key, and the success we have achieved over the past year is testament to the hardworking team we already have in place. Despite the unusual circumstances, we have continued to work together as a productive, close knit and supportive team, and we are now looking for talented individuals to further grow our payroll team.

Payroll opportunities for all levels

If you are considering your next career move and looking to try something new, our payroll opportunities may be for you.

We have been helping ambitious and entrepreneurial businesses pay their employees, mitigate risk and save money along the way for over 30 years. During the last 5 years, growing and developing our specialist payroll offering has been a strategic priority for Smith Cooper and we are now looking for talented individuals to join us for the next phase of our growth journey.

We are looking for individuals with a deep interest in payroll, who are driven and self-motivated, with a desire to develop. If you are confident liaising directly with clients, highly organised, and have excellent communication skills, we would like to hear from you.

Whether you have recently started your career in payroll, want to take the next step-up on the career ladder, or would like to move to a highly respected and award-winning firm where the team is truly at the centre and valued, we have a wide range of opportunities available.

Find out more about our payroll opportunities, which we are recruiting for at all levels, here.