The changing role of the back office professional

From the Salary Professionals 2020 Trend Survey, which NIRPA conducts annually among salary professionals, revealed an important continuing trend: that of the growing advisory role for salary and back office professionals. An increasing number of payroll professionals also have to deal with the payroll processing of flexible labor and experience a high workload due to the complex laws and regulations surrounding flexible labor relations.

Specific laws and regulations regarding flex have become so complex that this really requires additional knowledge regarding flexible employment contracts. The trend survey shows that 38% of the respondents expect to need additional training on compensation related to flexible employment contracts.

"We are all curious to see what 'the world' is going to look like post-corona, but in addition to that there are the necessary changes to be expected in the coming period arising from, for example, the opinions of the booster team on migrant worker protection, and the Borstlap committee," says Barbara Kramer, manager of the Examens Uitzendbranche foundation (SEU). "As a result of the introduction of the WAB, 'regular' companies are taking a critical look at how their flexible shell is filled, but staffing organizations are also actively looking at what options are available within the staffing collective bargaining agreement to agency workers more perspective."

'Continued development is an investment in yourself and your own future'

Marcel van der Sluis, director of the Nederlands Instituut Register Payroll Accounting (NIRPA): "The advisory role of payroll professionals is increasing, a trend that has been ongoing for years. Not only to the customer, but they are also increasingly called upon within the organization. A lot of information comes together in payroll processing. There is a lot of knowledge among these professionals, which can be called upon more from financial management and HR.Die more advisory consulting role of payroll and back office professionals also requires developing competencies such as communication and consulting skills."

Marcel: "Payroll and back office professionals need to be aware from the importance of investing in their own development and future prospects. Every course or training you do is really an investment in your own future. In doing so, you create opportunities and possibilities to grow within the field. Developments in payroll processing follow one another in rapid pace up, driven by laws, regulations and the software.

Always be able to demonstrate ready professional knowledge at your current and possibly future employer. An education and diploma from a recognized institute is always a valuable addition - both for yourself and for your CV."