Payroll deserves a seat at the table and here’s why

“The pay check is more than a number. It’s a product of trust.”

That’s how Prashant Ganti, VP of Global Strategy and Alliances at Zoho, describes the emotional and strategic weight payroll carries in every organization.

In a recent episode of PayTalk, Prashant joined host Nina Talley to explore payroll’s transformational power. With 25 years of experience bridging technology and back office functions like payroll, finance, and procurement, Prashant offers a fresh, deeply human perspective on why payroll matters and why payroll professionals deserve a seat at the table.

From the back office to the boardroom

Nina Talley: How do most companies view payroll, and where does this perception fall short?

Prashant Ganti: Many still see payroll as just a cost center, a necessary chore. But that view is limited. Historically, payroll came about because governments deputized employers to collect taxes. Today, however, it sits at the busy intersection of finance, HR, accounting, and IT.

The pay check isn’t just a transaction. It’s a moment of truth. It shapes employee trust, morale, and retention. It also gives CFOs real-time cash flow visibility. But when payroll is fragmented across systems or regions, we miss the opportunity to turn it into a strategic lever.

The ripple effect of one payroll mistake

Nina: We know incorrect pay checks can hurt morale, but how deep does the impact go?

Prashant: The blast radius of an incorrect pay check is much bigger than people think. A survey shows that 49% of employees look for new jobs after just two payroll mistakes. Morale drops, trust evaporates, and your best talent–the employees you really want to keep–are the first to leave.

Another survey found that 54% of Americans have experienced payroll problems, and nearly half felt significant stress afterwards. When payroll professionals do their job well, nobody notices them. But when they don’t, everyone’s talking. Mistakes ripple out, often turning small errors into widespread dissatisfaction. That’s why payroll’s reliability is so crucial.

Nina: That’s so true. Incorrect pay checks cause conversations. Correct ones? Just quiet smiles.

The new compliance blind spots

Nina: With payroll compliance constantly evolving globally, are there hidden pitfalls catching even experienced teams off guard?

Prashant: Absolutely. Global payroll is a high-stakes puzzle. Laws change faster than technology. Today, there are data sovereignty and privacy laws that payroll teams must navigate. Payroll data—names, salaries, bank info—is highly sensitive. A German fintech recently faced millions in fines for storing payroll data in another country, violating GDPR.

Often, payroll professionals focus on the taxes and numbers without realizing the IT and privacy requirements. But everything is connected now: HR, payroll, accounting, and IT. We’re waiting on the industry to catch up, but the shift is here.

So, what’s holding payroll back?

Nina: Why do many company leaders still overlook payroll’s strategic importance, and how do we change that?

Prashant: First, they’re shielded from day-to-day issues. Second, they don’t always see the link between payroll and retention.

And then there are the nuances—like whether overtime pay applies when someone swaps shifts for childcare. These are details only humans catch, not systems. And without payroll professionals to codify them, organizations risk mistakes and legal trouble.

A real-life turnaround: Cutting processing time from 8 hours to just 1

Nina: Can you share a real-world story about a company transforming payroll into a competitive advantage

Prashant: Absolutely. Take GeeksforGeeks in India. They had 400 employees and processed payroll manually in Excel. It took nearly eight hours per cycle.

After adopting Zoho Payroll, that dropped to just one hour. Employees could view payslips, download tax forms, and manage deductions—all without HR. The process became transparent, accurate, and faster. It wasn’t just an operational upgrade; it was a cultural one.

The future of payroll: Generation 3

Nina: What does the future hold for payroll professionals and the teams they support?

Prashant: We’re in the third generation of payroll. The first focused on taxes, the second on benefits, and the third is about financial wellness.

Payroll professionals must embrace AI and automation. These tools ease the administrative burden, reduce errors, and enhance transparency. But human skill remains vital, especially for handling local context and exceptions. The future is about integration, analytics, and supporting a global and remote workforce with strategic insight.

Advice to payroll pros: Speak up

Nina: What’s one thing every payroll professional should start doing today?

Prashant: Communicate more and communicate better. Make the data speak—use visuals and stories, not just spreadsheets of numbers. Payroll professionals should become better presenters and champions of their own strategic value, capitalizing on the technology that’s already available to them.

And remember: their role isn’t just preventing problems; it’s preserving trust.

One final thought

Nina: Last question. What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?

Prashant: “Live as if you’re going to die today. Learn as if you’ll live forever.” It reminds me to grow a little every day and to treat payroll with the gravity it deserves.

Conclusion: It’s time to rethink payroll

Payroll is often viewed as a back-office function. But as Prashant reminds us, it’s also a frontline experience—the moment your business says, “we see you,” to every employee. At Zoho Payroll, the mission goes beyond automating payroll. It’s about making every pay check feel seamless, supportive, and truly human.

Because when payroll works quietly and reliably behind the scenes, your people feel valued and your business can truly thrive.

Listen to the full episode on PayTalk.