The best investment your organisation can make is a payroll leader who’s ready for what’s next
You’re running a complex payroll function managing compliance risk, leading a team, influencing decisions across the business. But payroll still doesn’t have a seat at the table.
The Payroll Leadership Academy changes that. Our signature two day program transforms payroll leaders and managers into strategic drivers of excellence, blending advanced leadership techniques with practical operational insights.
THE CHALLENGE WE’RE SOLVING
Payroll is one of the most strategically underutilised functions in business. The leaders who understand both the technical depth and the strategic opportunity are the ones who will shape their organisations and their careers.
How do I influence the executive team?
How do I build a business case for my function?
How do I lead through change and compliance pressure?
"Great payroll leadership isn’t just about getting people paid correctly. It’s about creating confidence, building trust, guiding teams
through complexity and ensuring the business can rely on payroll as a strategic function, not just an administrative one."
Tracy Angwin | Founder, Australian Payroll Association
THE ACADEMY APPROACH
The Payroll Leadership Academy is built on three principles because good intentions alone don’t build great leaders.
Industry led
Immediately applicable
Peer powered
COURSE MODULES
designed to transform your approach to payroll leadership.
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Define leadership in the context of payroll
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Engage in intentional planning as a payroll leader
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Set strategic leadership goals and explore various leadership styles
- Understand diverse stakeholders including employees, executives and regulators
- Discover strategies for building a high-performing payroll team
- Learn effective payroll recruitment frameworks and team leadership techniques
- Embrace proactive leadership approaches
- Align payroll operations with stakeholder objectives
- Master time management and focus on delivering measurable outcomes
- Learn process mapping techniques to optimise payroll functions
- Establish robust governance, controls, and risk management practices
- Identify and address red flags in payroll processes while developing strategic plans
- Stay updated on current trends in payroll technology
- Develop a comprehensive payroll technology procurement framework
- Evaluate the benefits of outsourcing versus in-house management and leverage technology for greater efficiency
- Master techniques for data extraction and impactful presentation
- Effectively share critical information with business stakeholders
- Gain insights into creating powerful, data-driven presentations
COURSE MODULES
Over two immersive days, the program covers six comprehensive modules
designed to transform your approach to payroll leadership.
Payroll Leadership
Learn process mapping techniques to optimise payroll functions
Establish robust governance, controls, and risk management practices
Identify red flags in payroll processes while developing strategic plans
People & Teams
Understand diverse stakeholders including employees, executives and regulators
Discover strategies for building a high-performing payroll team
Learn effective payroll recruitment frameworks and team leadership techniques
Productivity & Outcomes
Embrace proactive leadership approaches
Align payroll operations with stakeholder objectives
Master time management and focus on delivering measurable outcomes
Payroll Processes
Learn process mapping techniques to optimise payroll functions
Establish robust governance, controls and risk management practices
Identify red flags in payroll processes while developing strategic plans
Technology
Stay updated on current trends in payroll technology
Develop a comprehensive payroll technology procurement framework
Evaluate outsourcing vs in-house management and leverage technology for efficiency
Presentation Skills for Payroll
Master techniques for data extraction and impactful presentation
Effectively share critical information with business stakeholders
Gain insights into creating powerful, data-driven presentations
YOUR FACILITATOR
Tracy Angwin | Founder, Australian Payroll Association
Tracy Angwin is a solutions expert, media commentator and popular keynote speaker and the driving force behind Australian Payroll Association. Tracy is also the bestselling author of The Payroll Revolution (2013) , Profit from Payroll (2015) and The Payroll Blind Spot (2026). She is sought out for her commentary and guidance on all payroll topics including why employers get payroll wrong, optimising the payroll function and the future of payroll.
A self described ‘corporate escapee with an obsession for improving payroll compliance and efficiency’, Tracy is a big picture industry innovator on multiple fronts.
As founder and Director of Australian Payroll Association, which provides payroll advisory as well as payroll training and qualifications, she delivers thought leadership to the industry, employers and partners.
Tracy is driven by a belief that payroll is a business critical function that can have devastating financial and emotional consequences if botched. It is impossible to have a high performing, motivated and engaged workforce if payroll isn’t correct and delivered on time.
Tracy is on a mission to help employers get payroll right.
I recently attended the Payroll Leadership Academy in Melbourne, hosted by Tracy Angwin.
I wasn't sure what to expect or what I might gain from the training. What I came away with was much more that I could have anticipated.
Firstly, it was a rare opportunity to meet with other payroll professionals. The support, empathy and payroll knowledge from this group was epic!
Tracy guided us to better understanding of leadership (both others' and our own), the importance and impact of payroll visibility and provided some practical solutions to common frustrations.
Tracy could have finished the course and sent us on our way and this would still have been a valuable two days. Instead, Tracy followed up and ensured that all the additional information she had referred to was provided to us.
I had the absolute pleasure of attending APA’s Payroll Leadership Training and it was an incredible experience. The program brought together the best group of ladies supportive, passionate, and inspiring. The sessions left me feeling validated, valued, and motivated to keep spreading the word that payroll truly matters.
A huge thank you to Tracy for your insight, encouragement, and for creating a space where I felt comfortable being open and honest. I deeply believe in what you’re working to achieve in this industry and hope we have the opportunity to work together again.
Payroll professionals really do work hard to “bring the bacon to the table,” and this training reminded me why our work is so important.