I was saddened to learn that Pay Magazine has closed, with the December 2009 issue being the last. Originally called Payroller, when launched in the early 1990s, it was the first payroll industry ‘glossy’ periodical. In 1995, Pay Magazine also instigated the first payroll industry annual awards event, and introduced the Strathearn Award for Lifetime Achievement in payroll. We should all lament its cessation.

This issue of PayrollProfessional looks ahead – as signalled by the image on the front cover. You will find coverage of, amongst other things, important changes to the IPP’s MSc in Payroll Management course, developments arising from the 2009 pre-Budget report, a suggestion of payroll’s role in making staff travel safer and, in particular, details of the imminent and eagerly awaited launch of the Institute’s CPD online tool. In addition, this issue also includes an outline of this year’s IPP annual payroll conference and, from this issue, two pages of Advisory Service questions and answers.

You’ll also notice by its absence in this issue that there is no content from learnHR. This is because both organisations have reviewed the value to their customers, and believe that this is something that can be provided through other channels.