For ICB member Katie Lucas PM.Dip, payroll is about far more than numbers on a spreadsheet. It is about people, trust and making a real difference to clients every single month.
Katie works as a Digital Finance Assistant at Ancora, an outsourced finance practice based in Oxfordshire. Working within a small team, she specialises in payroll while also supporting bookkeeping and wider finance tasks for a broad range of clients.
Her route into payroll began after several years working in banking with Barclays. Although she had built strong practical experience in finance-related roles, she had never had the opportunity to gain a professional qualification of her own.
“When I started at Ancora, my manager suggested the ICB payroll course,” Katie explains. “As a busy Mum, it felt good to have something that was just mine. I could study it, achieve something and gain a qualification I was really proud of.”
Katie completed the ICB Level 3 Diploma in Payroll Management through Training Link while balancing full-time work, family life and even planning a wedding at the same time.
“It worked really well because I could dip in and study for an hour or so in the evenings. The course was practical and easy to apply straight away in real payroll situations.”
Katie soon recognised the recognised the practical element of her qualification. Instead of the studying being theoretical, Katie was gaining payroll knowledge that was used and reinforced through real client work.
“Things like maternity pay or sick pay come up when they come up, and you need to know how to deal with them confidently. I really enjoy that every month is slightly different.”
Today, Katie helps manage payroll for around 14 clients and close to 200 employees, working with everyone from sole traders and partnerships to larger limited companies with dozens of staff.
For Katie, payroll carries a real sense of responsibility.
“People go to work to get paid at the end of the day. It has to be right and it has to be on time. For a lot of businesses, payroll is their biggest monthly expense, but it’s also about looking after their people.”
One of the aspects she values most is the direct relationship with clients and employees. Ancora operates as an outsourced finance department for many businesses, meaning Katie often deals directly with employees who have payroll questions or concerns.
“It’s nice to know you can genuinely help people. Recently, one of our clients had a baby and I was able to reassure her everything was sorted with her maternity pay so she could just focus on enjoying time with her baby. It’s not just numbers in boxes.”
Alongside payroll, Katie is continuing her professional development and is currently studying AAT Level 2 Accountancy, with plans to progress further. She believes combining bookkeeping knowledge with payroll expertise gives her a deeper understanding of how finance functions fit together.
“Understanding the bookkeeping side helps you understand why you’re doing what you’re doing in payroll, not just clicking buttons.”
Katie also appreciates the flexibility her role offers as a working parent. She works remotely for much of the week, alongside regular office time with her team in Oxfordshire.
“I really enjoy being part of a team. We support each other, check each other’s work and learn together.”
As payroll continues to grow as a specialist career path within the profession, Katie is passionate about showing that it is both rewarding and varied.
“There’s always something new to learn in payroll, and it really does make a difference to people’s lives.”
