RQ brought together industry experts for a masterclass session on the future of payroll and pensions.

The panel included specialists from payroll, pensions, and technology. They explored both the technical challenges and the need for closer collaboration between payroll teams, pension providers, and accountants.

Below is a summary of the key points. You can watch the full masterclass session here:

Watch the Full Session

‍Panel

• Brendan Shanks, CEO, Husky Workplace Pensions
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• Adam Flight, Partner, More Kingston Smith
  

1. Manual processes still slow firms down

Many firms still rely on spreadsheets and email chains to manage payroll and pension tasks. These methods are slow and prone to error. They also create compliance risk when data is kept outside controlled systems. Firms are encouraged to replace manual work with simple, secure tools.

2. Fix the real pain points first

Improving payroll often starts with listening to the team. Understanding what slows people down helps identify the right changes. Small adjustments can unlock meaningful efficiency without overwhelming staff.

3. Automation frees people to focus on real work

Integrating payroll and pension tools cuts admin and improves compliance. Automated uploads and streamlined scheme setup remove repetitive tasks. This frees payroll teams to focus on client needs instead of routine paperwork.

4. Salary sacrifice offers big savings

Salary sacrifice allows staff to exchange part of their salary for pension contributions. It can reduce national insurance costs for both employers and employees. Clear, simple explanations help clients understand these benefits, and modern pension tools make the setup transparent and compliant.

5. Technology can halve processing time

The right tools can reduce pension upload time by around half. Cutting duplicate steps lowers the risk of errors and speeds up routine processing. These improvements come from aligning systems and workflow, not from major structural change.

Collaboration matters

Payroll, pensions, and accounting teams work with connected data and shared compliance risks. When they collaborate, clients see clearer information and fewer admin problems. The masterclass session showed how working together reduces risk and improves outcomes.

RQ helps firms work in this simple, consistent way by making referrals clear, compliant, and easy to track.