We continue our Who’s Who at Advo with one of our Payroll Experts, Vicki Connelly, who recently passed her Payroll Technician exams with a distinction. A rigorous process that now means she can add ACIPP after her name.

“I started my career in payroll back in 2014, although if you’d asked me growing up what I wanted to do, payroll certainly wouldn’t have been my answer!

I never really had a set career path in mind, but I always loved Maths and, more importantly, I loved solving problems. I would have loved to have worked in forensics — unfortunately, my lack of talent for Science quickly put an end to that idea!

Like many people in payroll, I somehow fell into it… and ended up staying!

My first role back in 2014 was with a recruitment agency, where I was responsible for the weekly payroll of agency workers across the warehouse, driving, care and nursing industries.  With a large number of temporary workers, there were always queries to investigate, problems to solve and deadlines that simply couldn’t move.

A few years later, I decided I needed a change and moved into a payroll bureau environment. That’s where I really found my calling.

I loved the variety of working with multiple clients, the fast pace and the fact that no two days were ever quite the same. I realised that payroll wasn’t just about numbers and processing payslips — it was about problem solving, building relationships, and making sure everything came together when it mattered.

What started as a career I simply “fell into” has turned into something I genuinely enjoy and have built my career around.

I’m married with two children, so my weekends tend to revolve around football matches with my son and long days at trampoline competitions with my daughter. I wouldn’t have it any other way – I’m basically a taxi service, snack provider and part-time sports commentator!