It's About Payroll

Join us for an incredible conversation with Hayley Paterson, founder of The Payroll Guide and author of "The Value of Payroll"! Hayley shares her mission to transform how businesses view payroll—from a mundane transaction to a strategic business asset.

In this episode, we dive deep into:
✅ Hayley's journey from accidentally falling into payroll to becoming a leading voice in the industry
✅ The Three Ps of Payroll: Process, People, and Profit—and why they matter
✅ Real payroll crime stories and lessons learned from embezzlement cases
✅ Why payroll deserves a seat at the leadership table
✅ How to shift from seeing payroll as a cost to viewing it as an investment
✅ Practical systems and habits to prevent payroll chaos
✅ Advice for new payroll professionals on avoiding perfectionism while maintaining excellence

Hayley brings both boots-on-the-ground experience and big-picture leadership insights that every payroll professional and business owner needs to hear. Whether you're new to payroll or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with wisdom, practical frameworks, and inspiration.

📖 Get Hayley's book: "The Value of Payroll" https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-value-of-payroll-hayley-paterson/1147355300

https://www.amazon.com/Value-Payroll-Turning-biggest-asset/dp/1068447605

🔗 Connect with Hayley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayleypaterson/

#Payroll #PayrollProfessionals #TheValueOfPayroll #HayleyPaterson #PayrollStrategy #BusinessStrategy #PayrollLeadership #PayrollPodcast #PayrollCommunity #HRPayroll #PayrollCompliance #PayrollTips #SmallBusinessPayroll #PayrollManagement #PayrollExperts #PayrollIndustry #PayrollEducation #PayrollBook #ThreePs #ProcessPeopleProfit #PayrollGuide

https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/its-about-payroll
itsaboutpayroll.io
https://youtu.be/Y88aNvzTXG4

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Episode 196 of It’s About Payroll features Terrence Wright, founder of Wright People Solutions and a people-first HR leader with 20+ years of experience, including leadership roles supporting global brands like Google, Synchrony, and GE Capital. Terrence shares his origin story starting as a fifth-grade teacher until a parent challenged him with a simple question: “What are you doing here?” which pushed him to pivot into HR.

The conversation blends payroll news with HR strategy, from NFL referee compensation and “jock tax” concepts to big operational numbers like USPS payroll spending. Terrence explains how he helps organizations move from “policing” HR to true partnership through assessment, design, activation, and ongoing support bringing enterprise-level people strategy to small and mid-sized businesses. Listeners walk away with practical insights on hiring, onboarding, culture vs skills, workforce expectations (flexibility and growth paths), and how AI can boost productivity if leaders train teams to use it well.

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Payroll isn't just about cutting checks—it's one of the riskiest areas in your organization. In this episode, we sit down with Jennie Wallace, CPA, CISA, CGMA, and founder of Melody Advisory Services, to uncover the hidden risks that could land you in serious trouble.

Jennie shares real stories of payroll chaos, from reports with mismatched headcounts to the dangers of under-resourced teams managing highly regulated processes. Learn why "efficiency without controls is just faster chaos" and how to build audit-ready operations that actually work.

Key Topics:
✅ Why payroll is where you go to jail (seriously)
✅ The difference between process problems and control problems
✅ How to right-size controls without creating red tape
✅ The power of audit trails and cross-functional collaboration
✅ Why every payroll pro needs a champion, not just a mentor
Connect with Jennie Wallace:
🌐 melodyadvisory.com
📧 [email protected]
💼 LinkedIn: Jennie Wallace

#podcast #PayrollRisk #JennieWallace #payrollcompliance #riskmanagement #processimprovement #internalaudit #PayrollProfessionals #HRPayroll #PayrollData #AuditTrails #PayrollControls #ItsAboutPayroll #payrolltips #PayrollExperts #risk #expert

https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/its-about-payroll
itsaboutpayroll.io
https://youtu.be/BJ9gAdVuQIQ
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In Episode 194 of It's About Payroll, hosts Brian and Walt welcome two guests Brian Smith Jr and Eric Boling for a “two for the price of one” conversation focused on payroll-driven savings and employee support.

The discussion centers on a payroll-integrated strategy built on a Section 125 plan (a long-standing tax provision) that can increase employee take-home pay while creating savings for employers without adding net cost. Guests explain why this approach resonates in today’s competitive environment: payroll providers and business leaders need more than “same old” services to retain clients and talent.

They also break down what employees value most (cash in their pocket), highlight real-world benefit features (like no-cost prescriptions and mental health support), and discuss earned wage access and identity theft awareness as timely leadership topics.

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What if benefits weren’t just a cost center—but your biggest competitive advantage?

In Episode 193, we’re joined by Melissa Walker, Co-Founder & VP of Brokerage at Sounder Benefits, to break down how AI + innovation + human connection are reshaping healthcare benefits for modern companies. Melissa went from working inside major insurance carriers to building a brokerage that brings enterprise-level strategy to small and mid-size businesses—without the complexity.

We talk real results, real strategy, and what it takes to make benefits actually work for employers and employees.


Why only 1 in 4 Americans understand basic health insurance terms


How AI took a 25% renewal increase down to 9% while improving coverage


Why the “once-a-year renewal broker” model is dying


The benefits + payroll connection (and how to stop deduction errors)


Level-funded vs fully insured: when it’s time to rethink your plan


The truth about the Affordable Care Act — helped or hurt?


How to tell if your broker is driving value—or just quoting plans


Why planning before renewal season is the new power move


What tech actually reduces payroll/benefits mistakes


How modern benefits help attract and retain younger talent


The future of payroll: becoming payroll pilots, not just processors

Payroll pros, HR leaders, benefits admins, CFOs, business owners—and anyone tired of watching premiums rise while employee understanding drops.

Melissa is licensed in all 50 states with 15+ years across both brokerage and carrier sides. Her mission: make healthcare more affordable, accessible, and less confusing through strategy + proprietary tech.

📲 Connect with Melissa


LinkedIn: Melissa Walker


Sounder Benefits: sounderbenefits.com


Email: [email protected]

🎙️ About It’s About Payroll
A show where payroll professionals, HR leaders, and innovators share real talk on payroll, benefits, workforce operations—and what’s next.

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