The Digital Accountancy Show 2025 was an incredible event, bringing together accountants, finance professionals, and technology providers to discuss the future of the industry. Over the course of two days, we had countless conversations with firms of all sizes, each looking to improve efficiency, automate processes, and embrace digital transformation. But one topic kept coming up, time and time again—payroll management challenges.
No matter who we spoke to—whether it was a small practice handling payroll for a handful of clients or a larger firm running payroll at scale—the same frustrations emerged. Here’s what we kept hearing:
1. The Administrative Burden is Overwhelming
Payroll teams are drowning in manual tasks. From chasing approvals and managing last-minute changes to handling compliance updates, the workload is immense. Many firms are still relying on spreadsheets, email chains, and outdated systems, making payroll processing time-consuming and prone to errors.
2. Communication Gaps Between Employers and Payroll Teams
One of the biggest bottlenecks we heard about was the constant back and forth between payroll teams and employers. Missing or incomplete information, last-minute changes, and delayed approvals create stress and inefficiencies. Payroll teams spend far too much time following up instead of focusing on accuracy and compliance.
3. Payroll Data is Disjointed and Difficult to Manage
Many payroll professionals told us they struggle with scattered payroll data—key information stored across multiple systems, emails, and spreadsheets. This lack of centralistion leads to errors, duplicated efforts, and wasted time tracking down essential details. Firms are actively searching for integrated solutions that bring payroll data into one place, making it easier to manage, review, and process payroll efficiently.
4. Scaling Payroll Operations is a Challenge
As firms grow and take on more clients, payroll becomes increasingly difficult to manage. Many professionals told us they feel stuck—either hiring more staff to cope with demand or struggling with inefficiencies that slow down growth. The need for scalable, digital solutions was a common theme in our conversations.
5. The Desire for a More Streamlined, Digital Payroll Process
Despite all these challenges, one thing was clear—payroll teams are actively looking for better ways to work. They want technology that simplifies payroll, reduces manual admin, and provides a smoother experience for both payroll teams and their clients.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Payroll Management
The Digital Accountancy Show 2025 reinforced what we already knew—payroll needs a digital transformation. Firms are eager for automation, better workflows, and improved communication tools to make payroll management easier, faster, and more compliant.
At ChangePen, we’re committed to helping payroll teams overcome these challenges with smart, efficient solutions designed to reduce admin, improve accuracy, and enhance the payroll experience. If you’re facing these same issues, let’s talk—we’d love to show you how we can help.
