The clean data mandate: Navigating digital payroll in 2026

In our recent webinar; ‘The Clean Data Mandate: Navigating Digital Payroll in 2026’, Jaspal Randhawa (Payroll Product Consultant at OneAdvanced) was joined by Mathew Akrigg (Policy and Advisory Leader at the CIPP). Together, they explored where payroll regulation is heading, how the role of the payroll professional is evolving, and why data quality sits at the heart of effective payroll strategy.

Here are some of the key takeaways from their discussion:

1. Regulation and real-time reporting: Where is the industry heading?

Tax authorities are continuously moving towards greater visibility and real-time insights. As regulations change and compliance expectations rise, organisations need to evaluate whether their underlying payroll technology acts as an enabler or an obstacle.

Building "regulatory resilience" requires more than just reacting to statutory updates; it requires an agile framework that allows payroll teams to adapt seamlessly without risking operational disruption.

2. Problem-first automation: Flipping the AI mindset

With automation and AI dominating conversations across every business function, it can be tempting to search for ways to apply new tools just for the sake of adoption. However, as Mathew highlighted during the session, effective transformation starts with a problem, not a technology.

Instead of asking, "How can we use AI in payroll?", leadership teams should ask:

• Where are the operational friction points?
• Are we constantly fighting fires, or is our payroll running predictably and compliantly?
• What specific challenge are we trying to solve?

By taking a problem-led approach, organisations can apply targeted automation where it delivers real value; whether that’s reducing error rates, improving processing timelines, or freeing up resources for higher-value activities.

3. The changing role of payroll: From processing to strategic stewardship

The narrative around payroll is undergoing a fundamental shift. Historically viewed as a transactional, once-a-month process, payroll is increasingly recognised as a central hub of strategic business data.

Payroll professionals are evolving into:

• Strategic compliance advisors: Navigating complex legislative landscapes and guiding business strategy.
• Cross-functional partners: Collaborating across HR, finance, and operations to unlock insights hidden within payroll data.
• Technology and data stewards: Ensuring that sensitive workforce data is handled accurately, ethically, and efficiently.

4. Data governance and the ‘clean data mandate’

You cannot automate chaos. For AI and advanced automation to deliver meaningful results, the underlying data must be accurate, structured, and secure; a concept at the core of the clean data mandate.

As payroll teams handle highly sensitive personal and financial information, AI adoption must be underpinned by strict data governance. Using public or ungoverned AI models with payroll data introduces significant compliance and security risks.

Trustworthiness, safety, and rigorous standards (such as ISO 42001 certification for AI governance) are essential to ensuring that payroll data remains protected while leveraging modern technology.

Summary: Combining trusted data with intelligent agility

Looking ahead over the next five years, the organisations that thrive won't necessarily be those with the largest teams or the newest software for its own sake. Success will belong to those who successfully combine trusted data, intelligent automation, and the agility to respond to evolving regulations.

Missed the live session or want to revisit the insights shared by Jaspal and Mathew? Watch the full webinar on demand to learn how to prepare your payroll strategy for the future of digital reporting and data governance.