At activpayroll, we value the insights of professionals with extensive experience in global payroll and long-standing relationships with our business. We spoke with Kristin Morvay, a seasoned global payroll professional who has worked with activpayroll through more than one organisation over the course of her career. Kristin’s insights reflect her extensive experience and the realities of managing payroll at scale in a complex, global environment.
Kristin has worked in global payroll for more than 20 years, supporting organisations with employee populations ranging from just over 1,000 to almost 18,000 people, and operations spanning 13 to 33 countries. Over that time, she has partnered with a range of payroll providers, including activpayroll, and in-country teams to manage complex global operations.
For Kristin, the fundamental challenges in global payroll remain consistent: time zones, communication styles and cultural differences can all affect the delivery of payroll on time and in compliance across markets. She explains that when these factors are not aligned, deadlines can become harder to meet and the process more difficult.
Reflecting on how the industry has changed during her career, Kristin notes her experience working with activpayroll was significant. She recalls that, compared to other providers, she felt heard and supported from the start. The conversations, she said, were grounded in a clear understanding of payroll terminology and practice, which made a practical difference in her day-to-day work.
Kristin first engaged with activpayroll through a colleague who introduced her to the team and the product. She says she was drawn to activpayroll not just for the platform itself, but for the support and responsiveness she received early in the relationship.
Throughout her experience, she acknowledges there have been challenges, as there are with any complex global implementation. However, she emphasises that she never felt unsupported. The ability of the activpayroll team to work with her to find solutions and to adapt where appropriate gave her confidence in the partnership.
When asked what sets activpayroll apart from other global payroll providers, Kristin points to a willingness to get the job done. She says that in every organisation where she has recommended activpayroll, it has been because the support teams worked to understand the situation and deliver results that worked operationally.
Drawing on her many years of experience, Kristin highlights that effective global payroll operations rely on listening and applying best practice across different markets. She stresses the importance of combining an understanding of local requirements with practical, global processes that bring clarity and efficiency.
She also notes that being involved in all aspects of payroll operations has served her well, both personally and for her teams. A hands-on approach, she believes, helps maintain high standards and keeps teams close to the detail that drives accurate, compliant payroll delivery.
For those choosing or managing a global payroll provider, Kristin has three clear pieces of advice:
These principles have shaped Kristin’s own approach to vendor management, as well as her long-standing advocacy for collaborative partnerships.
Kristin’s advocacy for activpayroll is grounded in the positive experiences she has had over multiple engagements. She values the partnership approach and the practical understanding the teams have brought to complex payroll requirements. Her experience has also encouraged her to question, challenge and refine processes where necessary, which she sees as a key part of effective payroll leadership.
Kristin finds reward in the broader role of payroll. She sees payroll as central to employee experience and business operations and enjoys learning about different markets and evolving practices.
Looking ahead, she is watching developments in payroll technology with interest. While cautious about some of the current promises around artificial intelligence, she is open to seeing how these tools develop and how they can be applied in meaningful ways to support payroll operations.
To explore more examples of how organisations navigate global payroll effectively, and to see additional client experiences, visit our case studies page for further insights and practical guidance.