Free report

Voice of Payroll Report

A Deep Dive into Ireland's Payroll Workforce

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape of the payroll industry across Ireland. Drawing on the expertise of over 1,000 payroll professionals, the report delves into the evolving trends within the payroll profession and sheds light on the skills, qualifications, and attributes that are most valued in today’s competitive market.
From industry demographics to career satisfaction levels, this report offers invaluable insights and practical advice for professionals navigating the dynamic realm of payroll careers in 2024.

In this report you will learn:

Who makes up the payroll industry – Demographics showing an 83% female workforce, predominantly aged 45-54, with 66% working in teams of just 1-2 people
Career progression and salary potential – How payroll professionals can advance from entry-level positions earning €30,000-€40,000 to senior roles, with qualifications boosting average salaries to €43,000
What drives job satisfaction – The importance of feeling valued and supported over salary considerations, with 73% of professionals reporting satisfaction in their roles
The critical skills gap – How 69% of hiring managers struggle to find skilled payroll processors, despite 89% of professionals wanting more learning and development opportunities
And much more.

Report sneak peek

Ireland's payroll industry faces a major challenge with auto-enrolment arriving in 2025, as 73% of payroll processors feel unprepared and 43% report their businesses have no support plans in place. Following the difficult implementation of Enhanced Reporting Requirements earlier this year, where 42% of businesses offered no additional help, the industry risks repeating the same preparation failures that left many professionals struggling to adapt to legislative changes.

The cost of managing payroll has surged across Ireland, with 78% of companies experiencing increased expenses over the past 12 months and 62% anticipating further rises in the coming year. Payroll bureaus are responding by raising their fees, with 72% having increased their prices for payroll services in the previous year. This trend reflects broader economic pressures affecting businesses regardless of whether they handle payroll in-house or outsource it to external providers.

Managing employee leave consumes significant time for payroll professionals, with 31% identifying it as one of their most time-consuming tasks. The burden increases with company size, as smaller businesses (1-10 employees) see 41% of payroll processors struggling with leave management, compared to just 21% in larger companies with over 50 employees.