From quills to calculators 

The story of payroll begins with the earliest forms of bookkeeping. What started as a simple way for merchants to track sales and expenses gradually grew in complexity as trade expanded and businesses scaled. By the 18th and 19th centuries, banks were transforming too, making it easier for people to save, spend, and manage their money.

Payroll, in the way we recognise it today, really took shape during the Industrial Revolution. With mass employment and production booming in the UK, employers needed reliable systems to record workers’ hours and ensure fair, accurate pay.

Fast forward to the modern workplace, and payroll has become an essential backbone of every business. Employers need to not only to pay their teams on time and in full, but also to comply with tax and regulatory obligations. That means handling income tax, national insurance contributions, and other deductions with absolute accuracy.

When payroll clicks (and when it really doesn't) 

When payroll runs smoothly, it builds trust and frees businesses to focus on growth. But when it falters, the consequences can be costly - damaged employee relationships, wasted time correcting mistakes, and in the worst cases, financial penalties. 

Today, an efficient payroll system isn’t just an administrative function - it’s a safeguard for a business’s reputation and a key part of looking after its people. That’s why many businesses choose to work with experienced payroll partners like Fortus, who take care of the details so you can focus on what really drives your business forward.

Learn more 

Find out about the 'stress-free and seamless process' we've created for a valued client - and how we can lift the payroll burden for you too, here.