Your true north for payroll
Payroll gets complicated. We give you direction.
Rules change. Systems change. People move on. Quietly, payroll drifts off course.
Payroll Compass is the independent strategic partner that finds out where you really are, charts the way forward and support you until you get there. We bring together your people, processes and technology, with no software to sell and no jargon to decode. You get clear advice, hands-on expertise and one named consultant accountable for the outcome.
From urgent fixes to long-term strategy, we help you strengthen compliance, manage risk and make confident decisions for your business.
Better payroll. Stronger business. Let's move forward together.
WHO WE ARE
Bringing clarity, direction and confidence to payroll.
Payroll shouldn’t keep you up at night.
If you’ve ever wondered whether everyone was paid right, dreaded an audit or realised only one person knows how payroll really works, you’re not alone. Payroll is where people, pay rules, technology and compliance meet. When they drift apart, the risk lands on you.
That’s why Payroll Compass exists.
We’re an independent payroll advisory and transformation practice. We help organisations understand where their payroll really stands, fix what’s wrong and build a payroll function that’s ready for today, tomorrow and the future, aligned with where the business is heading.
WHY PAYROLL COMPASS
Our approach
Transparent. We show you what we find, what it means and what it will take, with no hidden agendas and no surprises.
Simple. We turn complexity into clear findings and practical next steps
Fix and optimise. We resolve the immediate issues, then strengthen processes, controls and technology so payroll works better, not just differently.
Built for the future. We design payroll to meet today’s needs, adapt to tomorrow’s changes and support your business objectives as they grow.
What makes us different
Independent. We have no software to sell and no commissions, so our advice is always in your interest.
Business-focused. We look beyond the immediate issue to the bigger picture and what your business needs from payroll.
Collaborative. We work alongside your people, not at arm’s length.
Practical. Our recommendations work in the real world and keep working as you grow.
What we stand for
Integrity. Honest advice, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Clarity. Plain English always so you know what comes next.
Partnership. We’re on your side of the table.
Accountability. We own the quality of our work.
Sustainability. Improvements that last, and a team that can run them.
Our purpose
To help businesses make payroll work better, today and for the future.
Let’s find your true north.
Meet our team
Kim Arsiwala - Founder & Principal Consultant
Kim has spent over 15 years inside real payrolls, running operations, leading teams, delivering transformation and building governance and compliance
She brings broad cross-industry experience. Her experience spans diverse payroll systems, operating models, processes and business environments, with expertise in payroll setup, governance, compliance, optimisation and global transformation projects.
Her approach brings together practical payroll knowledge, business understanding and transformation experience to help organisations address complex payroll challenges and make informed decisions about their future.
HOW WE HELP
Payroll expertise. Strategic thinking. Practical solutions.
Every organisation has different payroll needs, challenges and priorities. We take the time to understand your business, review your existing payroll environment and identify opportunities for improvement.
Combining strategic insight with practical payroll expertise, we tailor our advice and solutions to your business whether you need to address immediate challenges, strengthen governance and compliance, improve operations or transform your payroll function.
We work alongside you to find the right approach, deliver meaningful improvements and build sustainable outcomes.
No one-size-fits-all solutions. Just the right direction for your business.
Payroll reviews
An independent review of your payroll processes, governance, systems and data, with clear priorities for improvement.
What you receive
A clear written report in plain English
A Payroll Risk Map: one page showing risk across Accuracy, Compliance, Controls and Capability
Findings ranked by risk and effort
A sequenced improvement roadmap with “Your next 30 days”
Payroll Compliance Review
Test your payroll against your obligations, so you know where you stand before anyone else checks.
What we review
Targeted sample testing for rapid insights
Audit and regulator readiness: whether you could produce the evidence, explain your processes and respond confidently to an enquiry
What you receive
A compliance findings report with risks rated by severity
Recommended corrective actions in priority order
Remediation
Fix what’s wrong, correct the impact on your people and recommend the controls that stop it happening again. We use a structured, end-to-end framework to investigate, quantify, correct and prevent, so every step is clear, accurate and documented.
What you receive
A documented root-cause analysis, impact analysis and recommendations
Accurate correction calculations
A managed remediation plan and timeline
Communication support and templates
Payroll Project Management
A payroll specialist leading the payroll side of your project, so people are paid correctly before, during and after the change.
What you receive
A payroll specialist accountable for the quality of payroll delivery
Clear plans, status reporting and risk management
Thorough testing and reconciliation before go-live
A confident handover and a trained team
Emergency Payroll Support
Every emergency is different, so we agree the scope with you at the start. Depending on your situation, this may include:
A rapid assessment
A stabilisation plan
Pay-run support
Error and impact findings
Deadline and compliance support
Process documentation
Root-cause findings and recommendations
Payroll Process Improvement
We map how payroll really works, find where time, accuracy and control are being lost, and redesign the process so it runs better every pay cycle.
What you receive
A clear map of your current and improved process
A prioritised list of improvements, with quick wins first
Recommendations for redesigned process steps, approvals and controls
Support to implement the changes, if required
Payroll Strategy
We work with your leaders to define what your payroll function needs to deliver, then map a practical, independent path to get there.
What you receive
A concise, decision-ready payroll strategy
A current-state assessment and Payroll Risk Map
Options and recommendations, with a business case
A phased roadmap with quick wins first
A leadership briefing
Support to put the roadmap into action, if required
THE COMPASS METHOD
Locate: Understand where your payroll stands today.
Chart: Set out the risks, priorities and the best route forward.
Navigate: Deliver the fixes, changes and improvements with you.
Stay on course: Keep payroll controlled, compliant and ready for change.
Payroll audit and risk review
An independent review of payroll operations, controls and governance helps identify risks, gaps and opportunities to improve accuracy.
Compliance and governance framework
Clear governance frameworks align payroll responsibilities, compliance requirements and decision-making across growing Australian businesses.
Payroll process and project delivery
Documented process maps and delivery plans help businesses implement payroll improvements smoothly, with systems and processes ready to scale.
Specialist advice when payroll matters most
Consultant-led workshops provide focused support for payroll remediation, emergency payroll and strategic decisions across diverse Australian workplaces.
WHO WE HELP
Client results and reassurance
Payroll Compass helps Australian businesses bring clarity to payroll, close compliance gaps and deliver change with confidence. The examples below reflect the practical outcomes clients seek from independent payroll support.
How can we help you to find your true north payroll?
Please let us know a little more about your requirements or get in touch via the details below.