Payroll is no longer just about processing pay; it’s becoming a strategic force for change.
On this episode of ‘Behind the Button’, Abigail Vaughan, CEO of Zellis, explores how legislation, technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and shifting workforce expectations are reshaping payroll. From her unconventional career journey to leading through rapid change, Abigail shares why communication and prioritisation are essential in an increasingly change-fatigued workplace.
She discusses how payroll teams can balance non-negotiable compliance with a better employee experience, and why payroll deserves a consumer-grade experience rather than remaining an ‘unloved’ back-office function.
Abigail also reflects on the pandemic, when payroll’s critical role became impossible for CEOs to ignore and how investment in people and technology can strengthen organisations.
Looking ahead, AI could transform payroll roles from repetitive data entry to higher-value work centred on interpretation, judgment and insight, but only if professionals commit to continuous learning and reskilling. Automation could also help improve work-life balance.
From financial wellbeing and benefits to real-time reporting and industry collaboration, this episode asks a bigger question: what could payroll become next?
Glossary
AI = artificial intelligence, HMRC = HM Revenue and Customs
Links
Follow Abigail on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-vaughan-731642/
The Zellis website: https://www.zellis.com/
Follow Zellis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zellisukltd/
Gartner Workforce Change Fatigue Survey: https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/LVwmCxGD2t192Wpf8fEEiyNAco?domain=gartner.com
Zellis Financial Fitness Report: https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/JmvYCy8E9Ir0lBGHMhmmixRA4f?domain=solutions.zellis.com
CIPP 'Payroll for non-payroll professionals' course: https://www.cipp.org.uk/course/payroll-for-non-payroll-professionals.html
