A big hello to Amy Smith, who has joined the Ascend team as Deputy Head of Payroll Services. Amy is an experienced payroll professional and someone we have worked with before, so we know what a great fit she will be for the team.
Amy’s road to payroll
Like many of us, Amy didn’t start her career in payroll. In fact, she held positions in office administration and was an Office Manager before she moved into the managed payroll sector in 2016.
So why the move?
Amy explains, “As Office Manager, I did a bit of everything, including payroll. I realised that it was the payroll part of my job that I really enjoyed, and I was pretty good at it, so it makes sense to focus on that going forward in my career.
“I love the numerical calculations involved in payroll, especially when it gets a bit complicated! It gives me a real sense of achievement and is so much more challenging than just administrative paperwork.”
Amy worked her way through the ranks from Payroll Executive working on commercial clients, to Team Leader and Payroll Manager, heading up a team of 24.
Always eager to keep learning, Amy took on the responsibility for a dedicated hospitality team that not only delivered payroll services, they also handled the tronc schemes, acting as the Troncmaster, for many hospitality operators.
Time for a change
After 9 years in this role, Amy recently took a career break.
“Payroll is a highly stressful environment, and I needed some time out to focus on my wellbeing, priorities and what I wanted to do going forward.
“After a few months off, I realised that I really missed payroll, but this time I wanted to be involved in something where I could shape the service and people.
“When I saw what Ascend Payroll were doing, it really struck a chord with me. I’m a people person, and their approach to a people-first service is something that I really believe in, and am so excited to be a part of.”
Creating a rewarding and fun environment
We asked Amy what she felt was important about building a payroll team, and her opinions are very clear.
“I love managing people. Being the person that people can go to, whether that’s for some technical advice or emotional support.
“Payroll is a highly stressful environment. And that isn’t just because of the deadlines; it’s a role where you are expected to be 100% correct, all the time. Everyone wants to be paid correctly, but the reality is that we are human and sometimes mistakes happen.
“When you have a team that genuinely cares about doing a good job, this can be devastating and create extreme pressure. I see my role as a Manager to help ease this pressure. To help my team be as efficient as possible, while also teaching them how to be resilient and still care about their work. It’s a tricky balancing act, but it’s one I relish.
“I also think it’s important to make sure the workplace is a fun place to be. We spend more of our time at work than we do at home, so we need to make it a place people want to spend time at.”
Choosing Ascend Payroll
Amy joins us as we are growing our team of payroll professionals. Her experience in handling many payrolls and leading a large payroll team makes her the perfect fit to help us on our growth journey.
Amy explained, “I’m really excited about getting involved with a start-up business, especially one whose culture and ethos so closely align with what I believe to be important, not only for the team members, but also for our clients.”
“I am delighted to officially welcome Amy to our Ascend team.
Having had the pleasure of working with Amy for a number of years in the past, I was always impressed by her commitment to delivering payroll services of the highest standard and the care she showed in supporting clients. She consistently went above and beyond to ensure both clients and colleagues felt supported, and it’s a real privilege to welcome her into our payroll business.
Amy brings with her an outstanding track record of leadership and achievement, having progressed from Payroll Executive to Department Manager during her payroll career.
Amy has successfully managed high-profile clients across a variety of sectors, including vast experience within the tips and tronc and hospitality sectors.
What sets Amy apart is not only her expertise but also her passion for people. She is skilled at developing teams, building strong client relationships, and creating more efficient ways of working. This blend of technical knowledge, leadership, and genuine care for others makes her an excellent fit for our organisation and values.
I am excited about the energy and knowledge Amy will bring to Ascend, and the role she will play in shaping our continued success.” Stewart Waddell, CEO
