Armstrong Watson appoints new head of payroll

Armstrong Watson has announced that Karen Thomson will be returning to her role as partner and head of payroll based at the firm’s head office in Carlisle.

Thomson previously spent seven years at Armstrong Watson developing the payroll service to a nationally recognised standard before leaving to head up AAB’s payroll service for two years.

She has vast experience within the payroll profession and boasts a number of influential payroll titles including chair of the CIPP’s Special Interest Group representing Accountancy Payroll Bureaus and vice chair of Local Government Pensions Scheme (Cumberland).

She also sits on a number of forums including: HMRC policies, Admin Burdens Advisory Board, the Employment Payment Group, CIOT Payroll Employment Tax and ICAS Payroll Employment Tax.

Commenting on her return to Armstrong Watson, Thomson said: “I am looking forward to returning to Armstrong Watson to once again head up the payroll service and the highly-skilled team. I see this as a real opportunity to further expand the Armstrong Watson payroll offering, working closely with my colleagues in employment tax, financial planning and IT, amongst others, to enhance our client services and to support businesses through the utilisation of new technology, AI and RPA.

“Payroll is much more than paying people. I see our proposition as a vital tool within a business that can provide the information, support and services to help any size and stage of business grow. Assisting businesses with employee benefits, salary sacrifice, pensions and HR support can help them to attract and retain talent.”

She added: “Working for a firm that shares my vision for client services is very important to me, and returning to Armstrong Watson, where I know that the culture, vision and client service ethos aligns with my own, feels like the perfect fit.”

Paul Dickson, CEO of Armstrong Watson, added: “There is no doubt that Karen’s first-hand knowledge and experience will once again, be a huge asset to Armstrong Watson’s client proposition.

“Karen has an enviable vision for the Armstrong Watson payroll service, and we look forward to embracing her vast experience and expansive knowledge to advance cross service line collaboration, utilise new technology and extend our client services. Karen will play a key role in developing new opportunities and continuing our goal to deliver the best client experience of any accountancy firm in the UK.”