This episode is sponsored by Deel

Managing a global team is complex, Deel makes it simpler with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance all in one place. That's why over 35,000 businesses trust Deel to hire, pay, and manage their teams worldwide.

See how Deel works at www.deel.com/nickday

What does it take to turn a payroll job into a leadership career? In this episode of The Payroll Podcast, Nick Day sits down with Carlyn Davis, CPP – Director of Payroll at CBRE Government & Defense Services, 2024 Texas Payroll Professional of the Year, and President of the Alamo Chapter of Payroll Professionals.

After spending 18 years in payroll before pursuing her CPP certification, Carlyn’s career transformed. Today, she’s a respected leader, speaker, and advocate for payroll professionals everywhere.

If you’ve ever wondered how to grow from processing paychecks to becoming a true payroll leader, this episode will inspire you to take action.

Carly Davis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-davis-cpp-35988485/

Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537e

Stay tuned for the next episode of The Payroll Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!

(00:00) Preview

(03:25) Carlyn’s Start in Payroll

(09:04) Winning Texas Payroll Professional of the Year

(12:44) Leading the Alamo Chapter

(15:57) Overcoming Overwhelm

(17:18) Finding Balance in Payroll Leadership

(22:12) The Power of Reliable Payroll

(27:32) AI in Payroll

(29:12) The Biggest Obstacle Holding Payroll Back

(33:52) Payroll’s Collaborative Community

(35:37) The Dream of Global Payroll Consistency

(38:38) Carlyn’s Timeless Advice for Payroll Professional

This episode is sponsored by Deel

Managing a global team is complex, Deel makes it simpler with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance all in one place. That's why over 35,000 businesses trust Deel to hire, pay, and manage their teams worldwide.

See how Deel works at www.deel.com/nickday

Payroll is no longer just a back-office function, it’s the heartbeat of every organization.

In this episode of the Payroll Podcast, Nick Day sits down with Michael Francis,a global payroll leader and passionate advocate for AI in payroll, to explore how technology is transforming payroll into a strategic powerhouse.

Michael shares how AI can free payroll teams from repetitive transactions, unlock powerful data insights, improve employee experience, and help payroll secure its seat at the boardroom table. You’ll learn why payroll must evolve beyond “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it,” how to build the business case for tech investment, and what payroll leaders must do today to thrive in the age of AI.

If you want to future-proof your payroll career, attract the next generation of talent, and turn payroll into a driver of business success, this episode is for you.

(00:00) Payroll: The Heart of Every Organization

(02:30) Introducing Michael Francis, Global Payroll Leader

(05:14) How AI Is Being Used in Payroll Today

(09:05) Cross-Department Collaboration

(13:28) Building the Business Case for Payroll Tech Investment

(15:32) Scalability, Compliance, and Future-Proofing Payroll

(19:20) Risk, Compliance & The True Cost of Getting Payroll Wrong

(26:36) Marketing Payroll Internally & Educating Employees

(28:05) Attracting Gen Z and Millennials to the Payroll Profession

(35:14) The Future of Payroll: 2030 and Beyond

(36:26) Why Payroll Leaders Must Embrace AI Now

(39:10) Michael Francis’ Career Advice & Personal Insights

Michael Francis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfrancismbashareservicespm

Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537e

Stay tuned for the next episode of The Payroll Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!

This episode is sponsored by Deel

Managing a global team is complex, Deel makes it simpler with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance all in one place. That's why over 35,000 businesses trust Deel to hire, pay, and manage their teams worldwide.

See how Deel works at www.deel.com/nickday

Payroll is no longer just about processing payments.

It’s about driving strategy, compliance, and employee experience. In this episode of The Payroll Podcast, host Nick Day sits down with Richard George, Director of Education at The Payroll Centre, to break down the future of payrolling benefits and what payroll professionals must do to prepare for the mandatory changes coming by 2027.

Discover how payroll has shifted from a back-office function to a seat at the boardroom table, why salary sacrifice schemes and real-time Class 1A NIC reporting are reshaping payroll strategy, and what steps you should take now to avoid last-minute chaos.

Whether you lead a global payroll team or are just starting your career, this conversation will help you stay ahead of industry changes, reduce risk, and position yourself as a strategic payroll leader.

Richard George’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-george-289a71117/

Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537e

Stay tuned for the next episode of The Payroll Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!

(00:00) Intro

(03:20) Richard’s Career Journey & Payroll Centre Mission

(06:30) Payroll’s Strategic Evolution & Tech’s Role

(07:02) Payrolling Benefits Landscape in 2025

(13:20) Preparing for Mandatory Payrolling of Benefits (2027)

(16:50) Process Changes, Cash Flow & Communication Planning

(18:50) What the New Operational Process Will Look Like

(20:30) Tax Collection & Reporting Challenges

(21:00) Payroll Centre Training & Support for Teams

(26:20) Path to the C-Suite & Chief Payroll Officer Discussion

(32:10) Turning Payroll into a Profit & Strategy Function

(33:20) Leveraging AI & Technology to Boost Efficiency

(35:35) Addressing Payroll’s Talent Crisis & Upskilling

(40:30) Recruitment Challenges in the AI Era

(45:30) Quickfire Advice, Resources & Career Lessons

(48:20) Predictions for the Future of Payroll