Hi, I’m Joanna and I am a Senior Payroll Associate at Baker Tilly Ireland. My career has been shaped by taking brave decisions, starting again more than once and trusting that each new step would lead me somewhere better. I never imagined I would build a long-term career in Payroll, but finding a role that matches both my skills, and my personality has made the journey more meaningful than I ever expected.
Where my journey beganÂ
When I relocated to Ireland from Poland in 2007, I worked in the hospitality sector. For many years it gave me stability, but in 2017 I made the decision to change my career path entirely and move into the finance sector. To make that possible, I took a year out to focus fully on education. During this time, I completed several courses, including a Level 4 Diploma in Accounting and Business with ACCA, which laid the groundwork for my future.Â
In 2019 I joined Russell & Co, which later became Baker Tilly Ireland, and completed my IPASS qualification, Certified in Payroll Techniques (CPT). My role there was very varied and gave me experience across payroll processing, insolvency payments for companies in liquidation, payroll reviews for audit, company registrations with the CRO, business registrations with Revenue and general support across the accounts team.Â
What I enjoy most about my role
I have always enjoyed working with numbers and recognised early on that I had a natural talent for accuracy and detail. Payroll became something I genuinely enjoyed, not just something I was good at. It combines technical skill, problem solving and human impact, and I find a lot of satisfaction in delivering work that directly affects people’s lives.
Payroll is constantly evolving, so I make sure to keep up to date with changes in legislation and best practice. I enjoy that there is always something new to learn.
Support that helped me growÂ
Throughout my career I have been fortunate to work with people who supported my development, especially during the transition from hospitality to finance.Â
Senior colleagues encouraged me, shared their knowledge and helped build my confidence at moments when starting again felt overwhelming. The collaborative environment and willingness of colleagues to guide, answer questions and share experience have made a real difference in my progression.
Opportunities that shaped my progressionÂ
Formal Payroll training through IPASS gave me the technical depth I needed, while the ACCA Diploma strengthened my broader financial understanding. My five years at Russell & Co exposed me to a wide variety of clients, challenges and scenarios, helping me learn quickly and develop a strong, adaptable skill set.Â
Progressing into a senior role at MHA has expanded my responsibilities, stretched my abilities and allowed me to continue building on everything I learned earlier in my career. The variety of clients, systems and processes have all contributed to my growth.
Challenges I have overcome
Moving to Ireland was one of the biggest changes I have ever made. I arrived planning to stay only a year, but nearly twenty years later I am still here. Embracing a new country and culture has shaped me both personally and professionally.
Transitioning from hospitality to finance required retraining, studying and learning new technical skills from scratch. It was demanding at times, but determination and a willingness to step out of my comfort zone helped me overcome those challenges.
A message to other women
My advice to women early in their careers is simple. Do not be afraid to ask questions if you are unsure about something. Seek support when you need it. Believe in your abilities, even on the days when you doubt yourself.Â
Everyone starts somewhere.Â
