In today’s highly competitive market environment, companies need to ensure that non-core activities need to be as lean and efficient as possible.

This is where the outsourcing of HR and payroll requirements come in. And, shedding light on the benefits of what outsourcing such work brings are Mazars in Malta’s Claire Muscat and Brenda Scerri. Claire Muscat occupies the role of Outsourcing Associate Director at Mazars in Malta, which she joined in 2003. Claire graduated from the University of Malta and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is a fellow of the Malta Institute of Accountants. 

Brenda Scerri, on the other hand, is a Payroll Specialist at the firm. Having joined Mazars in Malta in 2017, Brenda has been involved with Payroll for the past 13 years, and she is currently in the process of obtaining a diploma in this subject. As part of their current duties, both Claire and Brenda share responsibility for clients in various sectors, including finance, insurance, construction, iGaming, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, and yachting.

We start by asking Claire about the rationale behind outsourcing in general. She explains that many organisations, both large and small, are realising that they need to focus their efforts and resources on their core competences, to remain as lean as possible. Moreover, many non-core activities are requiring an ever higher level of technical expertise and specialist knowledge in employment regulations: “This is why companies of all sizes and across sectors are increasingly turning to our outsourcing team at Mazars in Malta to support them, and ultimately help them improve performance, secure compliance processes, manage costs and provide a level of flexibility in resourcing and skills.”

With specific reference to HR and payroll, Brenda explains that “payroll presents challenges that require expert HR knowledge and specialised processes.” Moreover, payroll legislation is a highly complex area, and with rules and policies so often in flux, processing payroll in-house is often costly and inefficient. That is where Mazars in Malta comes in: “Our specialist team offers a flexible way of managing clients’ HR and payroll requirements across the different sectors.”  

Claire further amplifies on how outsourcing one’s HR and payroll functions can improve accuracy, efficiency and security. She says that with differing rules and regulations in each jurisdiction, it can be challenging to manage these functions internationally: “Partnering with Mazars allows our clients to draw on our world-leading expertise in finance and HR. Our experienced professionals work closely with our clients to simplify processes and improve performance in individual ways suited to their specific circumstances.” 

Claire then explains Mazars’ approach to the provision of its suite of HR and payroll services: “At Mazars, our HR and payroll services are designed to meet the requirements of companies that are seeking a consistent and reliable service that is scalable and flexible. We recognise that the modern workforce has myriad HR needs and, above all, wants to know that they will be paid on time and accurately. Using the latest technology and platforms, we help in the delivery of streamlined and automated payroll and HR processes.”  Moreover, she says, “when you work with us, you benefit from a single point of contact who will work seamlessly with a team of experts to deliver results that are right for you.”

Brenda goes on to discuss the range of Mazars’ HR and Payroll services. She explains that these include core payroll processing services, reporting and related expertise, together with payroll management in general. Furthermore, Mazars provides key payroll advisory services including payroll process transformation, along with a general HR advisory service. The team at Mazars also undertakes payroll specific project management, providing a holistic service which ranges from transition, integration, and process transformation, to monitoring and general account management. 

The reliability of any service hinges on the quality of the people delivering it. Claires is asked about Mazars’ take on this: “We maintain comprehensive, up-to-date understanding of labour and employment laws to ensure that our clients truly understand and care for their employees.” She explains that Mazars’ service offer is further enhanced through its delivery by a team of HR and payroll specialists: “This means that we are able to support clients with our own people, rather than outsource to another firm, wherever they need it.” She concludes by stating that: “We are continuously developing our HR and payroll offering by investing in and developing our people, processes and training. This means our clients receive a consistent service from a highly trained and motivated team.” 

Mazars is an internationally integrated partnership, specialising in audit, accountancy, advisory, tax and legal services*. Operating in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world, we draw on the expertise of more than 47,000 professionals – 30,000+ in Mazars’ integrated partnership and 17,000+ via the Mazars North America Alliance – to assist clients of all sizes at every stage in their development.

*Where permitted under applicable country laws