Behind the scenes: how our payroll experts protect your business
Our Joint Head of Payroll, Danielle Molyneux, outlines the pitfalls of old-fashioned payroll methods – and how Champion’s innovative service helps you avoid them.
Payroll mistakes can trigger a chain reaction: HMRC fines, the cost and time of corrective work, unhappy employees, and reputational damage.
Despite the risks, errors – and the penalties they attract – remain widespread. In a recent survey of 1,000 UK small business leaders, 40% said they had received penalties due to payroll-related issues (SME Today).
To minimise risk and improve accuracy, many businesses are choosing to outsource payroll to a trusted partner. Done well, this is invaluable for navigating complexity – employee types and pay structures, pension schemes, commissions, bonuses, overtime, and more.
At Champion, we take a people-first approach that delivers a seamless, stress-free experience from day one. We build strong working relationships with every client, then design a streamlined process around their specific needs.
Backed by advanced accounting software, our experienced payroll team manages the entire cycle – from processing payments, submitting Real Time Information (RTI) to HMRC, and administering workplace pension schemes – end-to-end. Here’s how.
Keeping payroll error-free
Some businesses keep payroll in-house to retain control. In practice, this can mean missing out on early detection of inaccuracies and the wider benefits of a specialist team. At Champion, we help mitigate problems before they escalate. Our service includes:
- A multi-step internal checking process completed every run, before payroll is sent to you for final review and approval.
- Strict RTI deadline management. Missing RTI deadlines can lead to employer fines and may affect employees on Universal Credit. We track deadlines and submit accurate filings on your behalf – even when clients are on leave or travelling.
- Continuous compliance monitoring. Regular training, including an annual payroll update course, keeps our team fully up to date on legislative and regulatory changes. Our software is updated in line with new rules and flags entries that don’t comply.
Ensuring accuracy through technology
A key priority at Champion is future-proofing clients’ payroll through modern, integrated software:
- API-driven automation minimises manual entry and reduces error.
- Pension platform integrations (Nest, Smart Pension, The People’s Pension, Aviva) enable one-click submissions directly from within the payroll system.
- Cloud portals provide round-the-clock access so employers and employees can view payslips and key data 24/7 on any device.
- Integrated payments via Modulr. Once payroll is approved, net pay is sent directly from BrightPay into Modulr, reconciled, and paid out to employees – fast and in one streamlined process.
We’re committed to adopting next-generation technologies as they mature. On our next scheduled upgrade – expected in spring next year – we’ll move to a fully cloud-based system with enhanced portals for employers and employees, plus a mobile app for convenient, on-the-go access.
More than payroll: a joined-up Champion service
Champion’s payroll department sits within a wider multi-disciplinary framework. If you need support with tax planning, audit, property or corporate finance, we can bring in the right specialists quickly or signpost you to the best person to help. The result is a comprehensive, joined-up service that keeps payroll precise and delivers peace of mind every cycle.
Considering outsourcing your payroll?
Contact Danielle Molyneux on 0161 703 2500 or email payroll@championgroup.co.uk.
