Recession-proof payroll: The current economic outlook is set to have an impact on the bottom line, business and morale, but robust payroll auditing and management processes can curtail risk and support growth. Even in a recession. There are specific steps that can be put in place to mitigate risk and enhance payroll effectiveness, ensuring that finances are tightly controlled and that the organisation is prepared for what the recession has in store – spread the payroll load, use the insight from … [Read more...] about Recession-proof payroll
payroll
How to run a cost-effective payroll
How to run a cost-effective payroll: Employees who are paid efficiently, accurately and on time are productive and profitable, which is why payroll administration is a high-return investment for every organisation. “But payroll administration needn’t be expensive,” says Lavine Haripersad, Director at the South African Payroll Association (SAPA). “By taking some sensible steps, organisations can reduce inefficiencies and save money in the long run.” Although some new organisations might … [Read more...] about How to run a cost-effective payroll
Don’t risk employee anger over payroll errors
Don’t risk employee anger over payroll errors: It’s not uncommon for a payroll to be consistently managed so poorly that workers threaten to strike over incorrectly administered pay. Often, the person administering the payroll is not adequately qualified for the job. Lavine Haripersad, a Director of the South African Payroll Association (SAPA), says such risks are why hiring accredited payroll practitioners is so important. Yet, many employers don’t realise how much skill it takes to run a … [Read more...] about Don’t risk employee anger over payroll errors
Preventing payroll identity fraud
Preventing payroll identity fraud: Nicolette Nicholson, Director, South African Payroll Association Payroll identity fraud is a reality in South Africa. Provincial departments, municipalities and the Department of Education are just a few of the examples where millions has been lost to ghost employees and other fraudulent payroll activities. Often, the payroll department is the last line of defence against fraud. “An alert payroll administrator can save their company thousands or even millions … [Read more...] about Preventing payroll identity fraud
Qualified payroll staff critical to business success
Qualified payroll staff critical to business success: Lavine Haripersad, Director, South African Payroll Association Without a doubt, payroll is one of the most sensitive business activities. Income is extremely personal to workers because it’s inherently tied to their well-being and survival. It’s strange then that payroll is often thought of as a job anyone can do. Especially when one mistake could have workers up in arms. Yet organisations delegate payroll to PAs, office … [Read more...] about Qualified payroll staff critical to business success
When work dedication masks payroll fraud
When work dedication masks payroll fraud: Payroll fraud schemes typically last about 2 years before being detected, and are twice as frequent in small businesses as in larger ones. This is according a 2016 Global Fraud Study by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Most often, perpetrators hold accounting positions (21.6% of cases). Cathie Webb, a Director of the South African Payroll Association (SAPA), says employers should be wary when their payroll administrator resists being away … [Read more...] about When work dedication masks payroll fraud
Payroll considerations for operators with cross border bases
Payroll considerations for operators with cross border bases: South African air carriers and operators are increasingly seeing the rest of the continent as an attractive growth target. No matter what particular business model they adopt in the target country, they are likely to find themselves seconding pilots, cabin crew, engineers and other employees to their in-country operations. In general, these expatriates would remain on the payroll of the South African or parent operator. Making salary … [Read more...] about Payroll considerations for operators with cross border bases
Declining employee morale – the cost of payroll errors
Declining employee morale – the cost of payroll errors: Lavine Haripersad Regardless of size, no organisation is immune to payroll errors and while in some instances the impact will be felt on the bottom line and businesses may be seen skirting the edges of the law, in most cases the hardest hit will be the employee and business morale. Payroll can be seen as an intimidating and complex minefield. Fortunately, unlike the analogy, payroll comes with a map, and experts are available to … [Read more...] about Declining employee morale – the cost of payroll errors
Gender shift evident in payroll
Gender shift evident in payroll: Gender shift evident in payroll Despite the prevalent gender bias in the South African payroll industry towards women, change is under way says Val Forrest, Executive Director and Administrator of the South African Payroll Association (SAPA). “Payroll has a high level of discipline and routine and women handle routine well, others just fall into the job because they are good at figures and can build good relationships,” Forrest adds. The gender imbalance is also … [Read more...] about Gender shift evident in payroll
A Career in Payroll: taking on a strategic role in businesses
A Career in Payroll: taking on a strategic role in businesses: Photo: pixabay.com Strength of character, an ethical attitude and a professional mind-set. These are the qualities which define a successful payroll practitioner in the modern workplace. The days when payroll was a ‘fallen into’ career, one which was discovered as someone worked their way up the ranks, are rapidly disappearing. Today, payroll is one of the pillars holding up the business, handling one of its biggest costs and … [Read more...] about A Career in Payroll: taking on a strategic role in businesses
Top tips for preventing payroll fraud
Top tips for preventing payroll fraud: Photo: pixabay.com The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners says that payroll fraud is the No. 1 source of accounting fraud and employee threat globally. It affects 27% of all businesses and lasts, on average, 36 months. South African statistics are scarce, mostly because payroll fraud is under-reported by companies jealous of their reputations. A rare public case was the arrest in 2014 of two Eskom employees for tampering with the corporation’s payroll … [Read more...] about Top tips for preventing payroll fraud
