Teryl @ Work

I have been in Payroll a long time, as a developer, a supplier of software and a user, and this is only the second (as far as I know) National Payroll Week we have had in South Africa, so there are definitely thoughts arising: Will holding a National  Payroll Week raise awareness? Should we do it again next year, and how should it be publicised? The discussions over the past week have shown some main areas of interest: Formal qualifications Security of data in payroll departments Data Analytics / Business Intelligence Employee Self Service and Mobile Formal Qualifications Not everybody I spoke to realised that Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) is available for payroll administrators who have deep experience. There were also concerns expressed by people who have never studied at a tertiary level whether they would cope with the material.   Years of adult training have shown that people undervalue the level of knowledge they have gained in the workpla...

Still in National Payroll Week, there is a lot happening in South Africa that affects Payroll Administrators.    Cathie Webb and I talked about the issues around Retirement Reform. Both the Payroll Author’s Group (PAG) and South African Payroll Association (SAPA) have held information sessions on the topic, and Cathie has found that not everyone is aware that the 1 st March 2015 heralds a change in the way in which our retirement funds are dealt with ·          by our employers while we are working, ·          by government (department of finance) once we retire. The change is said to be because of the South African culture of not saving for retirement adequately, which is creating increasing pressure on government to care for us post-retirement. These changes were announced in 2013. While the impact may not be great on all employers, it is worth determining the impact, if...

National Payroll Week has focused +Accsys (Pty) Ltd   on all things payroll. I sat down to talk to Cathie Webb, our Chief Operations Officer, who is a director of South African Payroll Association (SAPA), as well as on the executive of the Payroll Author’s Group (PAG). Having published articles and blogs on the Employment Tax Incentive (ETI) bill last year, I thought it would be a good idea to discuss this with Cathie. She confirms that, in late 2013 when the Minister of Finance approved the ETI Bill, it was designed to encourage business to employ youth, and to supplement the pool of employable and skilled workers available in South Africa. Cathie says “The ETI allows business to reduce their PAYE burden according to a formula which incentivises employment of people earning under R6000 per month.  According to SARS, in the first month of implementation, 56 000 new jobs were created*”. “As this number may include interns, who would have formed pa...

I am really pleased about this wonderful initiative from South African Payroll Association to recognise the contribution of payroll people over the years.   While the formal recognition is limited to SAPA members, it would be great if we took the time to remember who mentored and taught us all about payroll, in the days before a professional qualification was available. This special week celebrates important aspects to each of us who are passionate about payroll. From the economic, cultural and social achievements of workers, to the significance of "an honest day's work for an honest day's pay," National Payroll Week is a celebration on many levels. To celebrate this important week we want to honour our loyal heroes of the payroll family. We call on you to remember your Hero in Payroll who had a fundamental impact on your career and inspired you to Payroll greatness. ...