It's About Payroll

🎧 EPISODE 166: The Global Payroll Playbook with Max van der Klis-Busink Podcast: It’s About Payroll Hosts: Brian Escobar & Walt Tynes This week, we’re honored to welcome Max van der Klis-Busink — global payroll leader, award-winning author of The Global Payroll Manager’s Playbook, and founder of Passion for Payroll & The Payroll Comedian. Max shares his journey from dreaming about global payroll...

Trucking payroll isn’t just complex—it’s a moving target. In this episode, we sit down with Michael Ritzema, President and Founder of Superior Trucking Payroll Service, to talk about the unique challenges and solutions in the world of transportation compensation. From per diem strategies and IRS Form 945 to misclassification pitfalls and garnishment headaches, Michael shares hard-earned insights f...

In this episode of It’s About Payroll, we welcome Michael Steen, Client Solutions Director at Payroll Minds, for a powerful and insightful conversation on the intersection of payroll, leadership, and humanity. Michael shares his nontraditional journey from crisis intervention and mental health to global payroll consulting, and how compassion, personal branding, and listening are his keys to succes...

In this episode, we hit pause to look back and talk through: ✅ What really stood out to us this season ✅ The challenges we navigated behind the scenes ✅ Powerful lessons learned along the way ✅ And most importantly—the amazing guests who brought their wisdom, energy, and heart to every conversation. From compliance curves to pay transparency, global payroll trends to financial wellness tips, t...

In this episode of It’s About Payroll, we’re joined by the brilliant Tiana Neal—a dynamic leader in global payroll and benefits operations, founder of Transcenders Consulting Group, and host of The Human Roll podcast. With deep expertise at the crossroads of compliance, care, and technology, Tiana brings a refreshing and insightful perspective to the evolving relationship between HR and Payroll. T...

In Episode 161 of It’s About Payroll, we dive deep into the growing conversation around cryptocurrency and fiat currency—and how both could shape the future of payroll. We explore three major areas of debate: 🔹 Decentralization vs. Centralized Control 🔹 Inflation Resistance vs. Economic Flexibility 🔹 Transparency vs. Regulatory Protection From the transparency and autonomy offered by blockchain...

In this episode of It’s About Payroll, we sit down with newly certified payroll pro Tasia Walker, CPP, as she shares her inspiring journey to passing the Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) exam. Tasia opens up about her study strategies, time management, the emotional rollercoaster of test prep, and what it truly takes to succeed. Whether you're thinking about getting certified or knee-deep in s...

In this gripping episode of It’s About Payroll, we dive into a real-life payroll fraud case straight out of Florida, where four Honduran nationals ran a years-long fake books and payroll scheme—laundering more than $100 million through shell companies and ghost employees. We walk through how the fraud worked, how they got caught, and what payroll professionals can learn from the case to better det...

Episode 157: Fraud, Forensics, and the Future of Payroll – with Brittany Furr In this jam-packed episode of It’s About Payroll, we welcome back educator and payroll trailblazer Brittany Furr. The trio dives into the wildest payroll crimes hitting headlines—from a CEO embezzling payroll taxes for nearly 3 years to an employee claiming 9,000 fake overtime hours. We also break down: Why cities like S...

In this episode of 'It's About Payroll,' hosts Brian and Walt have an in-depth discussion with Lisa King and Kristina Vartija, co-founders of the innovative payroll management system LNKT( pronounced Linked). The conversation covers the challenges and intricacies of payroll processes, the importance of proper documentation, and how LNKT aims to revolutionize the industry by offering a collaborativ...

Episode 155: With Guest Kira Rubano In this high-energy and insightful episode, we explore the unexpected, challenging, and sometimes hilarious world of payroll. Hosts Brian and Walt kick off with a conversation about financial fitness progress and dive into fascinating payroll topics, including: How military pay structures could reshape civilian payroll thinking The shocking realities payroll pro...

Episode 154: Financing Coachella Tickets, Payroll Innovation in Schools, and AI’s Future in Payroll with Gustavo Vasconcelos In this power-packed episode of It’s About Payroll, Brian and Walt uncover some eye-opening realities: 60% of Coachella attendees had to finance their tickets — highlighting America's deep paycheck-to-paycheck crisis. We discuss why even meals are now being financed and how...

In Episode 153 of It's About Payroll, hosts Walt and Brian discuss the impact of tariffs on the payroll industry, budgeting tips from a certified financial planner, and the importance of continuous education in payroll. Special guest Laurel Serra, CPP, Director of Education Services at Payroll Org, joins the conversation to share her journey in payroll, the importance of certification, and how to...

In this episode, the hosts discuss the significance of understanding and utilizing employee handbooks for payroll professionals. They highlight the benefits of maintaining updated handbooks, creating cheat sheets for quick reference, and ensuring front-line managers are on the same page. The episode also covers the financial fitness challenge updates and the importance of tracking expenses. Additi...

Title: IAP EP 151 - Season in Review: The Truth About AI in Payroll You Need to Know Summary: Join Walter and Brian in this season finale of "It's About Payroll" as they dive into a comprehensive review of the season and explore the impact of AI in payroll management. They begin with casual banter about their weekends before delving into thought-provoking discussions on various topics covered in p...

In this milestone 150th episode, the hosts delve into the significant role payroll plays in employee experience and retention. They discuss various aspects including financial security, compliance, onboarding, and the impact of payroll errors on employee morale. Personal stories, industry statistics, and practical advice are shared to highlight the importance of accurate and timely payroll process...

Title: IAP Ep 149 - It's About Payroll **Summary:** Welcome to Episode 149 of "It's About Payroll" with hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III. Whether you're new to the world of payroll or a seasoned veteran, this episode has something for you. https://www.osha.gov/workplace-stress#:~:text=Statistics,year%20from%202019%2D20214. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250310148527/en/S...

Welcome to Episode 148! Dive into a deep conversation with Pete Tiliakos, a renowned expert in payroll and HR technology. This episode covers strategies on engaging executives with payroll data, explores the impact of AI on the industry, and discusses the importance of ROI in payroll operations. Pete introduces the Payroll Professional Confidence Index and its role in changing the narrative around...

In this episode of 'It's About Payroll', the hosts welcome special guest Stephen Weisberg, a seasoned tax attorney. They dive into the intricacies of payroll tax debt, offering practical strategies to resolve tax issues effectively. Stephen shares his background in corporate bankruptcy and his transition to helping small businesses and self-employed individuals resolve tax debt. The episode also c...

In this episode, Brian and Walt dive into a range of topics that impact both your wallet and your mindset. They kick off by discussing the power of staying aligned and motivated, emphasizing gratitude in everyday life. From there, they jump into their ongoing Financial Fitness Challenge, sharing small but impactful strategies—from trying out money-saving apps like Fetch to investing in the stock m...

Are your manual checks causing mayhem? Tune in for some easy solutions! Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 02:25 The Importance of Payroll Implementations 05:17 Financial Fitness Challenge Insights 08:07 National Debt and Payroll Taxes 11:01 Super Bowl Monday and Employee Attendance 13:21 Time Trak GO - Message 13:38 Manual Checks: Definition and Best Practices 19:18 Challenges of Ma...

Ep 142: Innovations in Global Payroll - Interview with Mateo Borden, VP of Product at Oyster In this episode of 'It's About Payroll', hosts engage in a conversation about football, the challenges faced by NFL teams, and current events. This leads into an insightful interview with Mateo Borden, the VP of Product at Oyster. Mateo shares his journey into the payroll industry, discusses Oyster’s missi...

 In this week’s episode, Brian and Walt dive into one of the most frequently asked payroll questions: Should you pay employees 24 or 26 times a year? Tune in as they weigh the pros and cons of each pay cycle—from budgeting challenges and cash-flow considerations to employee satisfaction and compliance concerns. They also touch on: W-2 Distribution Reminders: How to handle late arrivals and why goi...

Welcome to Episode 143! In this episode, we dive deep into hybrid work models and their impact on payroll. We discuss the complexities surrounding time tracking, overtime for hourly employees, compliance issues across different states, and the challenges of ensuring equitable pay. We also introduce a new financial fitness challenge, aiming to boost our savings through creative means like side hust...

Join us for Episode 139 as we dive into the importance of payroll audits! In this episode, Walt and Brian discuss the various facets of payroll audits, including common and uncommon audit types, cultural sensitivity considerations, the impact of remote work, and cybersecurity risks. They also explore how integrating automation and AI can improve audit effectiveness. The episode is packed with insi...