It's About Payroll

Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III are the hosts of It’s About Payroll. Collectively, they have over 4 decades of experience in the payroll industry. This podcast was created with the intent of sharing their knowledge and attracting new talent to the payroll industry.

You can access their LinkedIn profiles.

https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/escobarbrian

https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/william-duncan-477051187

Business
Business News
Technology
51
Payroll Conversations with Amy Travis
<p>Empathy in Payroll: A Conversation with Amy Travis</p><p> </p><p>This episode of 'It's About Payroll', hosted by Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan II, delves into the significance of empathy in the payroll profession. The hosts share their personal journeys and growth towards understanding and advocating for empathy in the workplace. Special guest, Amy Travis, CPP and soon-to-be president of the Greater Atlantic Payroll Association, shares her unique entry into the payroll field, starting from buttering garlic bread to ascending into leadership. She emphasizes the importance of empathy, especially in leadership positions, to foster a supportive and efficient team environment that enhances both employee satisfaction and performance. The episode also covers potential dangers of modern technologies like AI and the necessity of continuous vigilance against payroll fraud. Additionally, a discussion on the impact of company culture on payroll departments, whether they fall under finance or HR, is explored, highlighting the evolving focus on the human element in HR. Amy Travis' story of perseverance and her emphasis on the importance of empathy in payroll make for an enlightening conversation.</p><p> </p><p>00:00 Introduction to the Payroll Podcast</p><p>00:30 Celebrating Milestones and Personal Growth</p><p>01:34 Special Guest Announcement: Amy Travis</p><p>02:07 Deep Dive into Empathy and Personal Evolution</p><p>02:57 Payroll News Segment: Tackling Payroll Fraud</p><p>11:49 Exploring Technological Solutions to Prevent Fraud</p><p>19:10 Guest Spotlight: Amy Travis's Payroll Journey</p><p>22:15 Choosing a Career Path: Payroll or Dental Assistant?</p><p>22:44 The Professionalism and Planning Behind the Scenes</p><p>23:56 Empathy in Payroll: A Deep Dive</p><p>25:49 Building an Empathetic Team: Strategies and Successes</p><p>26:46 The Ripple Effect of Empathy in the Workplace</p><p>27:33 The Importance of Employee Experience in Today's Workforce</p><p>29:05 Navigating the Current Job Market: Insights and Advice</p><p>39:25 Exploring the Role of Empathy in Payroll Careers</p><p>43:39 Why We Love Payroll: A Personal Insight</p><p>45:01 Closing Remarks and Community Engagement</p><p> </p><p>Link: <a href="https://www.timetrakgo.com/signmeup?utm_source=SMB24&amp;utm_medium=IAP&amp;utm_id=SBM24">https://www.timetrakgo.com/signmeup?utm_source=SMB24&amp;utm_medium=IAP&amp;utm_id=SBM24<br></a><br></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>WALT </strong></p><p><a href="https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/news/payroll-fraud-in-the-news-types-of-fraud-and-how-to-prevent-it/#:~:text=A%20recent%20report%20released%20by,loss%20of%20$2%2C800%20per%20month"><strong>https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/news/payroll-fraud-in-the-news-types-of-fraud-and-how-to-prevent-it/#:~:text=A%20recent%20report%20released%20by,loss%20of%20$2%2C800%20per%20month</strong></a></p><p> </p><p><strong>Key Points from the Article:</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>1. **Prevalence of Payroll Fraud**: Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) revealed that Payroll fraud makes up 15% of all occupational fraud schemes in the United States and Canada. It often goes undetected for an average of 18 months, resulting in an average loss of $2,800 per month.</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>2. **Industries Affected**: While no industry is immune, payroll fraud is most common in the construction industry and in government and public administration.</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>3. **Common Types of Payroll Fraud**:</strong></p><p><strong>   - Payroll diversion through phishing tactics.</strong></p><p><strong>   - Ghost employees, where non-existent employees receive wages accessed by fraudsters.</strong></p><p><strong>   - Overpayment schemes, such as inflating overtime payments.</strong></p><p><strong>   - Embezzling withholding, involving pocketing legitimate withholdings from wages.</strong></p><p><strong>   - Expense reimbursement fraud, including padding expenses or submitting fictitious expenses.</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>4. **Prevention Strategies**:</strong></p><p><strong>   - Educating employees about phishing threats.</strong></p><p><strong>   - Implementing two-factor authentication.</strong></p><p><strong>   - Segregation of duties in employee onboarding and termination.</strong></p><p><strong>   - Running exception reports to detect unusual patterns.</strong></p><p><strong>   - Requiring original receipts for expense reimbursement.</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>5. **Future of Technology Solutions**:</strong></p><p><strong>   - The use of AI and machine learning for fraud detection is expected to nearly triple over the next two years.</strong></p><p><strong>   - Despite technological advancements, vigilance remains crucial as technology can both enable and prevent fraud.</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>6. **Ongoing Vigilance**: Employers and accounting professionals should remain vigilant even with technological solutions, as new tools for perpetuating fraud can emerge alongside advancements in technology.</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>BRIAN</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>Pay News Updates! </strong></p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240423366537/en/Frost-Bank-Improves-Customer-Experience-with-Atomic-Direct-Deposit-Switch"><strong>https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240423366537/en/Frost-Bank-Improves-Customer-Experience-with-Atomic-Direct-Deposit-Switch</strong></a></p><p> </p><p><strong>Direct deposit switching (DDS) is a mobile banking feature that allows customers to send their direct deposits to a new bank account or debit card without leaving their banking app.</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p>
45 min
52
Earned Wage Access with Aaron and Chris from Pa...
<p>Earned Wage Access </p><p>In this episode of the It's About Payroll podcast, hosts Brian and Walter delve deep into the topic of Earned Wage Access (EWA) with special guests Chris and Aaron. The conversation explores the stress finances can bring to individuals, the flexibility EWA offers, and its impact on employee wellness and engagement. Through personal stories and professional insights, the episode sheds light on the significance of EWA in today's workforce, its implementation, and the broader conversation around financial wellness.</p><p> Financial Stress and Employee Wellness<br> Introduction to Earned Wage Access<br> The Impact of EWA on Employee Engagement<br> Addressing Financial Wellness<br> The Future of Earned Wage Access</p>
57 min
53
Payroll Conversations with Bart van der Storm
<p><strong>IAP EP 109 - Bart: Revolutionizing Global Payroll</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>This episode dives deep into the world of payroll with our special guest, Bart Vanderstorm. From the early beginnings in the payroll industry to the intricacies of global payroll operations, Bart shares his vast experience and insights. We discuss the importance of courage, communication, and the role of payroll at the intersection of HR, finance, and operations. The conversation covers the challenges of system integrations, the value of direct communication, and the need for payroll professionals to advocate for change within their organizations. Listen in as we explore Bart's journey, his approach to simplifying payroll processes, and his vision for a more connected and efficient payroll industry.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong> Introduction to Payroll Insights</strong></p><p><strong> Bart Vanderstorm: A Global Payroll Visionary</strong></p><p><strong> The Complexity and Dynamics of Payroll</strong></p><p><strong> Payroll Trends and Data Insights</strong></p><p><strong> Discussion with Bart Vanderstorm</strong></p><p><strong> Bart's Payroll Origin Story and Philosophy</strong></p><p><strong> The Future of Payroll and Closing Thoughts</strong></p><p><strong>Pay News Updates! </strong></p><p><strong>WALT</strong></p><p><a href="https://adpemploymentreport.com/"><strong>https://adpemploymentreport.com/</strong></a></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Private payrolls: In March 2024, private payrolls increased by 184,000 jobs, which is the largest increase since July. This suggests that companies are willing to pay more for new hires.</strong></p><p><strong>Nonfarm payrolls: In March 2024, nonfarm payrolls increased by 200,000 jobs, after rising by 275,000 in February.</strong></p><p><strong>Unemployment rate: The unemployment rate is forecast to remain at 3.9%.</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/protest-salem-unresolved-payroll-system-problems/283-096c75dc-a2dd-4d83-9734-795e74838f75"><strong>https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/protest-salem-unresolved-payroll-system-problems/283-096c75dc-a2dd-4d83-9734-795e74838f7</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Questions for Bart</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>What’s your payroll origin story?</strong></p><p><strong>Why did you stay in payroll?</strong></p><p><strong>You wrote a book…what inspired you? </strong></p><p><strong>What did you want folks to take away?</strong></p><p><strong>In your opinion, what will the payroll industry look like in 5 years?  </strong></p><p><strong>This or That</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Water or Coffee</strong></p><p><strong>Crepes or Stroopwafels (waffle cookies)</strong></p><p><strong>Hiking or Cycling</strong></p><p><strong>Plane or Train</strong></p><p><strong>Museum or Music</strong></p><p><strong>Learning or Teaching</strong></p>
33 min
54
Payroll Conversations with Gerard M. Hall. What...
<p><strong>Pay News Updates! </strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>BRIAN</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.inc.com/sarah-lynch-/your-workers-might-want-to-quit-in-2024-heres-why.html"><strong>https://www.inc.com/sarah-lynch-/your-workers-might-want-to-quit-in-2024-heres-why.html</strong></a><strong> </strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>WALT</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/certifications-in-demand#:~:text=Most%20industries%20have%20some%20form,prospects%20and%20new%20career%20opportunities"><strong>https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/certifications-in-demand#:~:text=Most%20industries%20have%20some%20form,prospects%20and%20new%20career%20opportunities</strong></a><strong>. </strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Most industries have some form of certification that will likely increase your chances of higher pay, better job prospects, and new career opportunities.</strong></p><p> Dive into IAP Episode 108 as hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan II chat with the esteemed Gerard Hall, known as 'that payroll guy'. This episode packs in discussions on their thrilling new project collaboration, insights on navigating the payroll industry, and the vitality of mentorship and positivity in professional growth. Don't miss their engaging 'This or That' game with Gerard to cap off an episode filled with laughter, valuable advice, and heartfelt stories. Tune in to explore the intersections of payroll, culture, and career development like never before. #IAPodcast #PayrollTalk #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalMentorship</p><p><br></p>
38 min
55
Season 8 in review & What is in store for seaso...
<p><strong>Pay News Updates! WALT </strong><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/11/business/california-minimum-wage-fast-food-kiosks/index.html"><strong>https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/11/business/california-minimum-wage-fast-food-kiosks/index.html</strong></a><strong> </strong>California has raised the minimum wage for fast food sector workers by $4 to $20, prompting concerns about potential job losses to technology like self-service kiosks. Experts suggest that while some businesses may turn to automation to offset higher labor costs, the trend of automation in the services industry, particularly in restaurants, has been ongoing.<br> Automation in the quick-service restaurant space includes technologies like auto-refill and automated frying machines. Higher wages could incentivize fast food owners to automate, as it could help attract workers in an industry still recovering from pandemic-related employment challenges.<br> The new wage law in California, effective from April 1, applies to restaurant chains with more than 60 nationwide locations and establishes a fast food council to oversee wage adjustments and worker safety standards.<br>Self-service kiosks have become increasingly common in large fast food chains like Panera Bread, McDonald's, Shake Shack, Burger King, and Chick-Fil-A, with benefits including larger and more profitable orders and improved customer experience.<br> While customer preference for autonomous ordering exists, the minimum wage increase in California is expected to accelerate technology adoption in the industry. Some franchise owners, like Harsh Ghai, are rapidly implementing self-service kiosks and AI-powered drive-thru ordering to cope with higher labor costs, aiming for full.<br>Despite efforts to avoid layoffs, the implementation of technology is seen as necessary to maintain profitability amidst rising labor costs and customer resistance to price increases. The California Restaurant Association acknowledges the impact of the minimum wage hike, with some operators already closing or scaling back operations in response.<br><strong><em>BRIAN</em></strong></p><p><a href="https://www.yourerie.com/news/crime/unknown-person-attempted-to-steal-paycheck-of-employee-psp/amp/"><strong><em>https://www.yourerie.com/news/crime/unknown-person-attempted-to-steal-paycheck-of-employee-psp/amp/</em></strong></a><br><strong><em>Be Careful out there ! </em></strong></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Season 8 Review/Takeaways</strong></p><p><br><strong>WALT</strong><br><strong>Guests - Sarah, Nov</strong><br><strong>Hospital Cyber Attack</strong><br><strong>100th Episode</strong><br><strong>BRIAN</strong><br><strong>Jodi, Max, Brad, Jeremy, Crazy Eddie </strong><br><strong>Season 9 — Looking forward to working with Gerard Hall, Bart Van der Storm. </strong><br></p><p>s<strong>afe Talk - Should fast food workers make $20 an hour? Or can you make a career in fast food?</strong><br><strong>Drop teaser for next show - Gerard Hall</strong><br><strong>"I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy." - Rabindranath Tagore</strong></p><p>IAP Episode 107 - Season in Review <br><br></p><p><strong>Brian:</strong> ​[00:00:00] Welcome to our podcast. It's about payroll. We're your host, Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan II. Whether you're new to the payroll game or a seasoned veteran, we have something for you. </p><p><strong>Track 1:</strong> Welcome back folks. We are episode 107 cruising right along today. We're just gonna have a light episode We're gonna talk about what we like out of season 8 talk about What's coming up for season nine, but before we get into any of that, how you doing today, sir?</p><p>How you doing? Well,</p><p><strong>wd_1_04-14-2024_082623:</strong> Man, I am good. Happy Sunday to you April</p><p><strong>Track 1:</strong> likewise, </p><p><strong>wd_1_04-14-2024_082623:</strong> Man, I know I say this all the time on all the shows a majority of the shows man. Time is Flying sir,</p><p><strong>Track 1:</strong> no doubt. Yeah, no doubt. Yes. It's just yeah.</p><p><strong>wd_1_04-14-2024_082623:</strong> up. It's gonna be time to do w 2s [00:01:00] again next year</p><p><strong>Track 1:</strong> Yeah. Yeah No, it goes. Yeah exact. Oh gosh. Yeah, I can't even I don't even know where yeah. Yeah, absolutely right. It'll be yeah I had to hit my CPA up cuz I was like Hey, did you extend my personal stuff too? Cause she told me she extended our stuff, business wise and I was like, wait, I gotta make sure she did it for personal, cause I'm not ready.</p><p>I'm not ready. Yeah, I wasn't ready. Yeah, thank God she did. Shout out to JC. But yeah, man, it's just going so quickly. I'm just I'm kinda Been panicking about time, and just making, not panicking in a good, at the end of the day, I'm like, okay, it is okay, I'm good, but I'm like, just very concerned about time, just oh my gosh, will work now, is, talking about it with the team this, the fact that this, oh, we could work forever is the fact that you have to balance out because if not, you're going to burn out, so balance out to avoid burnout um, just being mindful of all that stuff and everything else going on, you gotta [00:02:00] still kinda keep time for the fam, the family's feeling it, my little one doesn't let me forget, thank you, shout out to my boss, man, let me bring in, he's gonna let me do a little take your child to work day is coming up,</p><p><strong>wd_1_04-14-2024_082623:</strong> Yes, nice.</p><p><strong>Track 1:</strong> and my little one's always been too young to do it it's just so I haven't done it I haven't taken her in prior years, and I've been home for four years, so it's like, what, take you to work, you stay home from school</p><p>finally, but even still, she's no, you have an office.</p><p>I want to go to your office. And she, cause she knows I have a even as a remote, she knew I had an office, we had, I had an office to go to in Miami. And so I had already planned it, but with the job change, I was like, Oh man, what am I going to do now? So</p><p><strong>wd_1_04-14-2024_082623:</strong> Yeah.</p><p><strong>Track 1:</strong> again, shout out to my boss.</p><p>Let me do it, bring her in and whatnot. And then it was a good opportunity to frame it for folks. If you are trying to do a take your child to work thing there is a formal way to do it like your HR department or some usually HR that helps [00:03:00] organize a an event for it.</p><p>Um, what you do is you take two or three hours out of the day. You say, okay, you can have your kids, they can come for this event. So bring your kids to workday, da here. Here's the how can I say, organized event for them. It's only a certain age group, right? You shouldn't bring infants in.</p><p>That's not bring your kid to workday. Like infants aren't gonna experience anything. It should, and I think it was like I don't know when this event that I'm thinking of, and then the rules, and I like the rules, it's eight or six, I guess you could go probably as low as five or six and up I would maybe say six and up, or seven and up and not even like seven to eight, seventeen, because at eighteen, is it, you bringing your adult to work at that point it's a different story. Give them a job, but anyway, I just my point is that I like It should be a organized and thoughtful and planned event. It shouldn't be just everybody bringing their kids to work On this day and having no organization around it because kids can't last the whole day.</p><p>[00:04:00] You know what I mean? You not</p><p></p>
54 min
56
Payroll Tax filing Reminder and Tips - What are...
Don't forget about those taxes!
54 min
57
Lost Tapes Episode 1 - CPP or Not to CPP!
Success Without a Payroll Certification<br> Continuous Learning and Professional Development
33 min
58
Beyond the Paycheck: HR’s Role in Employee Succ...
Beyond the Paycheck: HR’s Role in Employee Success with Guest, Jeffrey Naftal.
46 min
59
True Payroll Crime Stories - Hidden Agenda (Epi...
In this episode of 'It's About Payroll', hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III dive deep into the world of payroll crimes, featuring a true story involving Michael Mann and his devastating fraud scheme.
46 min
60
Payroll Conversations w/ Nov Omana, HRIP (Episo...
In this episode of 'It's About Payroll,' hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III delve into the evolving world of payroll, the impact of AI in HR processes, and the importance of financial wellness programs. The podcast features a comprehensive discussion with guest Nov Omana.
56 min
61
Payroll Conversations W/ Sarah Chasney, CPP (Ep...
In this episode of the 'It's About Payroll' podcast, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III welcome guest Sarah Chasney, the Director of Payroll Travel and Expense at Banfield Pet Hospital. Opening with a discussion on the importance of staying abreast with digital transformations in payroll, they move on to the implications of payroll errors in an organization. Sarah shares insights on her journey in the payroll world, her experience in process transformation and systems implementation,
58 min
62
Payroll Conversations w/ Jodi Parsons, CPP
In this podcast episode, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III welcome Jody Parsons, a seasoned payroll professional from the Kansas City Royals.
50 min
63
Reflections (Episode 100)
This episode celebrates the 100th episode of a payroll podcast hosted by Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III.
54 min
64
True Payroll Crime Stories - Crazy Eddie (Epis...
In this podcast episode, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan discuss payroll crimes, focusing on the notorious 'Crazy Eddie' scandal.
44 min
65
Nurturing the Next Generation of Payroll Pros: ...
In this engaging podcast episode, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III, engage in a deep discussion with Global Payroll Expert, Max Van Der Busink, on the future of the payroll profession.
47 min
66
Attracting New Talent w/ Brad Voorhees (Episode...
In the latest episode of 'It's about Payroll,' hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III dive into understanding the nuances of the payroll profession. Joined by their special guest, Brad Voorhees, an experienced HR professional and the founder of ScaleTx, they discuss effective strategies for attracting new talent, the challenges experienced in maintaining top talent, and the evolution of HR practices over the years.
81 min
67
Talkin' Customer Service w/Jeremy Mifsud (Episo...
Jeremy shares his transition into payroll, the fulfillment he finds in the role, and the emphasis Buddy puts on making employees' lives better.
37 min
68
2024 Tax Brackets (Episode 95)
Hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III discuss the new changes in tax brackets and their implications on payroll.
35 min
69
New Year Goals (Episode 94)
Hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III of the 'It's About Payroll' podcast delve into payroll-related topics, such as the responsibilities of HR, how payroll professionals can plan and prepare for the upcoming year.
32 min
70
Season 7 Wrap-up (Episode 93)
It's a wrap! Season 7 is officially over and so is 2023. Check out our latest episode. Season 7 Wrap-up (Episode 93) Thank you for listening and Happy New Year!
58 min
71
Talkin' Malta Payroll w/Jonathan Mifsud (Episod...
Talkin’ Malta Payroll w/Jonathan Misfud: An Insight into Payroll Processes, Software, and its Influence on Future Entrepreneurs
24 min
72
True Payroll Crime Stories - Under Siege (Episo...
Brand New True Payroll Crime Story - Under Siege
44 min
73
Talkin' Pay Transparency with HR Data Labs Davi...
Talkin' Pay Transparency with HR Data Labs David Turetsky
27 min
74
Payroll Conversations w/ Tabitha Brown (Episode...
This episode features an in-depth discussion with Tabitha Brown, an acclaimed author, actor, social media influencer, and vegan cooking enthusiast.
41 min
75
Tackling the Industry with the Accounts and Leg...
Hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III discuss the payroll industry with the Accounts and Legal team from the UK.
36 min