Limerick Business Leader: ‘Every day a school day’ for BDO’s payroll guru Pamela

Tell us a little about BDO:

BDO Limerick is one of the largest accounting practices in the Mid-West of Ireland. We specialise in audit and assurance, tax, advisory, payroll and recruitment. We are Ireland’s leading advisors to entrepreneurs and owner-managed businesses striving for growth. BDO’s global network extends across 154 countries, with over 64,300 people working out of more than 1,400 offices. That means local resources backed by a truly global network – no matter where you do business. This is just one part of BDO’s commitment to delivering exceptional client service. We have four offices across Ireland – Limerick, Dublin, Cork and Northern Ireland employing over 500 partners and staff.

What does your own role entail?

I am responsible for managing the outsourced payroll department where we manage payrolls for a large portfolio of clients across various sectors from small local businesses to multinationals. We work closely with all our clients to develop a solution that works for their individual needs.  It can be an extremely challenging role as payroll must be delivered accurately, on time, every time. There is no room for error and we are constantly working to strict deadlines. I really enjoy the variety of the work, no two days are the same. I also enjoy interacting with the clients, the payroll team, my colleagues across various departments, our software providers and Revenue on a daily basis. This year I have been involved with PAYE Modernisation and I have provided several talks in conjunction with Revenue on the topic which I have very much enjoyed.

Where were you born and raised?

I am from Ballina in Co Tipperary, and that’s where I remain to this day.

What is your educational background?

After leaving school I attended IT Tralee where I obtained a diploma in business and accounting. I returned to college three years ago and completed my degree in business and accounting with University College Dublin.

How did you get to where you are today?

Following on from college I worked in retail for a number of years before completing an evening course in payroll which led to a role as a trainee payroll associate with an outsourced payroll company here in Limerick. I worked there for over nine years moving from trainee to payroll executive, to senior payroll executive and then on to payroll manager. During this period, I completed my training with the Irish Payroll Association, both in payroll techniques and advanced payroll techniques. The experience I gained working in outsourced payroll was invaluable. I gained exposure to a huge range of clients with very different requirements as part of a large team of payroll experts and I learned a great deal. I particularly enjoyed the role of Payroll Manager, training the team and developing solutions for the more challenging account being the aspects of the role I enjoyed most.

Why did you decide to join the company?

BDO were recruiting for an implementation manager and a friend of mine who was working here at the time suggested I apply. I was looking for a new challenge and BDO were keen to grow the payroll department, so I was confident that it was a role I could bring a lot to. I also felt that the working environment and culture would be a good fit for me. The fact BDO is an accountancy firm and not just an outsourced payroll provider appealed greatly to me. I knew that having access to such a large pool of knowledge and specialist advisors throughout the firm would be a massive benefit to me in my role and was definitely a deciding factor in joining the firm.

What are your goals for the next 12 months?

Developing the outsourced payroll department will be the main focus for me over the coming year. An increasing number of organisations are beginning to see the value of outsourcing their payroll function and thus removing the risks particularly regarding single points of failure. In the short term the key focus is PAYE modernisation, an area I’m keenly interested in, which will no doubt bring its own challenges. On a personal level my goal is to walk the Camino Way!

Who do you admire in business?

I would find it very difficult to pick out an individual, but I have to say I have real admiration for entrepreneurs and small business owners particularly some of the individuals I have encountered in my current role. It is not an easy path particularly over the past number of years and I have a great deal of respect for these individuals.

In business and life, are you guided by any particular motto?

‘Every day is a school day’

Away from work, what are your pastimes and hobbies?

I love to travel, be it a weekend away here in Ireland or travelling abroad. I enjoy reading, keeping fit and spending time with my family and friends. I have two dogs who keep me pretty busy!