Career Profile on Claire Fitzpatrick winner of the Payroll Awards 2008 – Pay Roll Administrator of the Year

Career Profile on Claire Fitzpatrick winner of the Payroll Awards 2008 – Pay Roll Administrator of the Year    

Name:                   Claire Fitzpatrick

Title:                       Payroll & Non Patient Debtor Officer

Name of company:     Dublin Dental Hospital

Industry:                                 The Hospital and School is responsible for the education and training of Dental Health Care Personnel, appropriate to the needs of the community. Student training is an integral part of the hospital and nearly half of all routine treatments are carried out by supervised students.  

Size of Company:     380-400 employees and 350-400 students

Report to (title) ;       Head of Finance Mr. Paul Walters

Day to Day Duties: I am responsible for the complete payroll administration for Dublin Dental Hospital Staff in addition to invoicing, credit control and bank reconciliation. It is a varied and challenging role which could include anything from presentation for induction days for staff, control accounts to weekly and monthly payroll.     

How many years have you worked in this position?   Six and a half

Do you have a formal qualification?      If so what type?

Payroll Technician also Diploma in Payroll Management both with IPASS – I mostly have a masters in the University of Life : ) – The best university to attend which is open to all

What trends do you see happening in the next 18 months - 3 years in your specific area of expertise?

Caution, because of the economic downturn people in general will become much more in tune with their finances and what is due to them.   

What was your biggest career break, and why?  

Working for a company in Manchester many years ago which involved being employed by the London Stock Exchange- At the time I had not yet received the results of my Leaving Certificate and unemployment was high in Ireland, it was like winning the lotto!

What advice would you give to grads / what would you have done differently if you could "reel back the years" career wise.

    I wouldn’t do anything differently, any mistakes I’ve made along the way I’d like to think that I learned from them – In ways mistakes put colour into our lives! The only advise I’d give anyone is – be prepared to do all you can to progress, don’t wait for anyone to hand things to you as when you achieve what you want to on your own- you will appreciate it much more!! My motto is ‘find a job that you love to do and you’ll never work a day in your life’.

Out of 10, are you happy in your choice of career and if so why?  

Yes 10 out of 10 I’m very happy, I enjoy my work immensely, Payroll can sometimes seem like problem solving –and fixing people’s problem & helping them for me is the best feeling.

What are your top 3 favourite business resource web sites you use?

IPASS

Revenue.Com

DFSA

What are your top 3 favourite non business web sites?

Google

Hotmail

Facebook