What is your name?
Mike Scott
What is your role title?
Group Finance Manager
What do you do in your role?
I manage and support the Global Finance team based in Aberdeen.
What key skills do you bring to activpayroll?
I have built up over 20 years of experience in finance roles of increasing seniority, both in accountancy practice and industry. This experience has allowed me to bring people management skills to activpayroll, as well as a good understanding of the day to day operations of a busy finance department.
What gives you the most satisfaction about your job?
I think developing team members gives me the most satisfaction. It’ its very rewarding to see people progress most satisfacyionpartments very rewarding to see people progress and gain confidence in their work with the right mentoring and training. If this can be achieved within a good working environment then it makes for a great team.
How did you get into the payroll industry and why?
Although previously I was not directly involved in payroll, in finance you are never far away from the payroll function, therefore when the opportunity came to light, it did not seem like too big of a jump in terms of a career change.
What has been the most challenging project you’ve worked on at activpayroll? Why?
As a relative newcomer to activpayroll at 10 months, I would say just learning the whole sales billing cycle, which with payroll done in-house in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Singapore, as well as payroll services done by our global partners worldwide has been a big learning curve. The ongoing challenge will be to try and improve aspects of the cycle with the goal of trying to maximise revenue.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement outside of activpayroll?
Keeping a good work-life balance is important, especially with twin boys at home who we try to keep entertained and active in our spare time!
What company value means the most to you and why?
Knowledgeable - I believe if you don’t possess good knowledge of the company and all of its processes then you can’t expect to learn others or provide good service to our customers.
Do you have any hobbies/ What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to go cycling regularly, when not on two wheels I enjoy walking in the fantastic countryside that surrounds Aberdeen.
Who is your professional role model and why?
There have been a few managers who I have worked with over the years that I have learned a lot from in terms of people management and communicating. I have tried to learn from the methods they have and use this myself when in similar situations.
If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and why?
Stephen Fry – I have always found him a fantastic and funny storyteller, as well as being hugely knowledgeable about almost everything!
