Why Payroll Is No Longer a Back-Office Function with Kay Augustus

This episode is sponsored by Deel Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickday/ In this episode, we sit down with Kay Augustus, founder of Augustus Payroll Services, to unpack what it really takes to build a career in payroll by choice, not by accident. With over two decades of hands-on experience, Kay shares how the payroll profession has evolved, why compliance pressure is increasing for payroll teams and bureau owners, and where many businesses are still getting payroll wrong. We talk about legislation, systems, automation, and the human responsibility that sits behind every payslip. This conversation goes beyond processes and software. It explores the mindset required to run payroll well, the importance of professional standards, and why payroll is becoming one of the most critical operational functions inside modern organisations. If you work in payroll, HR, finance, or run a payroll bureau, this episode offers grounded insight from someone who lives and breathes the profession every day. Watch now to understand where payroll is heading and what it takes to stay compliant, credible, and confident in a fast-changing landscape. Connect with Kay: Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/ Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537e (00:00) What Payroll Really Means: Trust and Responsibility (04:13) From School Struggles to a Career in Payroll (07:45) Why Payroll Is Undervalued and Needs a Stronger Voice (09:17) Building a Business Through Personal Crisis (13:35) Acquiring 85 Clients in Two Weeks (18:40) How Personal Service Creates Client Trust (20:14) Building a Payroll Brand from Scratch (24:52) Winning Awards and Redefining Payroll Innovation (27:36) Becoming a Recognized Voice in the Payroll Industry (29:32) Leading with Empathy and Mental Health Awareness (33:55) Losing Identity at Work and Choosing Authenticity (37:26) Advice for Payroll Professionals Starting a Business (42:28) Lessons on Resilience and Dyslexia (44:06) Payroll as a Human Profession