Emma Dunne, Payroll Supervisor, McDonalds

Career to date....

I joined the O'Briens Wine Off Licence Corportate Office as an accounts administrator and was then given the opportunity to move into the payroll area as the company began to expand.  After 2 years of running a payroll for 150, I started looking for opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills.  I started in McDonald’s in 2002 managing the Crew fortnightly payroll and salaried monthly payroll which as varied from 1,500 to 1,000 employees nationwide over the years.

Do you like your job....  

 Yes, the variety, the multinational employee base, great people, always something new,

 legislation is challenging but it gives me new challenges, great team to work with in Finance. 

 McDonald’s is a great employer having been placed in the Top Five employers in Ireland for the past 2 years in the Great Places to Work.  We’ve been placed in the top 50 employers for 7 years in a row.

What range of duties are included in your role?

• Managing all aspects of payroll for a large number of employees both monthly and fortnighty.  I also fully manage the year end process. 

•  Accounts tasks such as bank reconciliations and chairing the payroll cross functional group meetings. 

• Generating management reports for diverse topics such as strategic plans vs. how the business is performing, modelling reports e.g. for changes in employer PRSI, pay rate changes, and employee PRSI impact. 

•  Cross functional work, project work, working closely with HR function on projects such as changes to JLC’s, Work Force Management systems, share options legislation changes. 

• Providing management information on any changes to benefit and statutory requirements as required.

What type of payrolls does your department process?

Salaried and Crew forth-nightly (for all our hourly paid staff).

What do you most like about your job? 

Constant learning, McDonald’s is always changing. 

Recognition for my skills through IPASS qualifications – Certified Payroll Technician, Advanced Certified Payroll Technician and Diploma in Payroll Management were achieved and supported by the company.

What do you dislike most about it? 

JLC’s have been difficult to interpret.

Do staff and management appreciate the work that payroll personnel?

Yes, it’s a vital function.

Would you recommend payroll as a career and if so why? 

Yes, you get great exposure to different departments and you build up a great knowledge of employment law allowing you greater flexibility with your career options.  IPASS accreditation is a great benefit by giving me professional recognition for studying in the area and is recognised by other employers.