Payroll Team Awarded Coveted Gold Standard for Third Time

Armstrong Watson is delighted to confirm that for the third time, the payroll service line has been accredited with the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professional’s Payroll (CIPP) Assurance Scheme.

The coveted award is seen as the ‘gold standard’ for the payroll industry and audits the payroll processes and the learning and development of staff within the payroll function and is the only voluntary accreditation scheme on the market that can offer employers and bureaux confidence in their payroll services from an audit which was approved and developed in partnership with HMRC.

Not only did Armstrong Watson’s payroll team pass their audit with flying colours, but were highly commended with a score of 99%.

The assessment looks in depth at the procedures in place to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing is achieved, customer service is at the highest standard expected from a payroll professional and its service to all its customers. Finally it assesses the personal development in place for the team members. It specifically looks at induction programmes, training and qualifications available and on-going continued professional development. For this assessment the CIPP were also interested to understand how Armstrong Watson’s payroll service is planning to “move with the times” and looked in depth at its future strategic plans to embrace technological advancements.

Partner and Head of the payroll service line, Karen Thomson said,

“I’m absolutely delighted the service has been awarded the accreditation for the third time. In particular, I am pleased to see the CIPP introduce further assessments on our future strategies, providing the payroll leadership team with reassurance that we are doing our very best to ensure we can continue to provide both excellent customer service and also are using technology so we can add further value to the payroll services we can offer. 

“My team work hard throughout the year ensuring our procedures are robust and fit for purpose and embrace their own learning and development to be the top of their game. I am extremely proud of all the team.”