Let’s Elevate Payroll to the C-Suite. Who’s With Me?

By Jason Lee, Chief of Chime Enterprise

It’s time for a reality check: Payroll is long overdue for its place in the C-Suite.

Pete Tiliakos, global HR and payroll expert and advisor, and I recently hosted a session at Payroll Congress titled “Chief Payroll Officer: It’s Time for a New C-Suite Executive.” Our original February webinar on this topic was so well received that we wanted to give even more payroll professionals the opportunity to learn about and join our fast growing 30x30 movement. In both discussions, we reviewed the history of executive titles and found that once roles became strategic, it was only a matter of time before they joined the C-suite. Read on for a recap and download the presentation here.

In 1970, only 2% of large companies had a Chief Financial Officer. By 1995, that number had surged past 80%. What changed? Finance stopped being just about bookkeeping and started driving strategy — prioritizing investments, managing risks, and optimizing capital. With that shift, the CFO became indispensable, giving Finance a permanent seat at the leadership table. Over the years, other functions have followed suit, from Chief Legal Officers to Chief Product Officers. And yet, one key function has remained in the shadows: Payroll.

So, let’s talk about it. Why isn’t there a Chief Payroll Officer? And why is now the time for that to change?

Payroll is more than a back office function

Payroll has quietly become one of the most critical drivers of business success, influencing everything from workforce operations to financial planning. Historically, it was seen as a process function — something that happened in the background. But today, payroll is a powerhouse. It touches Finance, Legal, HR, IT, and Operations, playing a key role in budgeting, compliance, security, and employee experience. Simply put: Payroll runs deep.

Let’s break it down. To determine whether a function deserves a seat at the executive table, we have a four-factor test:

1. Does it drive meaningful business outcomes?
2. Does it operate in a fast-changing, innovative landscape?
3. Does it have a cross-functional impact across multiple departments?
4. Is it future-oriented, with a long-term ROI focus?

Twenty years ago, Payroll might have checked two or three of these boxes. Today, it’s a resounding "yes" to all four. 

Shifting the payroll mindset to strategic driver of organizational success

Payroll is no longer just about getting people paid — it’s about shaping the employee experience. Thanks to innovations like payroll apps, earned wage access, cloud-based solutions, and real-time payments, employees now expect seamless, modern payroll experiences. Meanwhile, payroll professionals are on the frontlines of compliance, navigating evolving tax and labor laws while helping companies manage risk and stay ahead of regulatory changes.

And yet, most companies still don’t recognize payroll’s strategic importance. In our recent webinar, 86% of attendees said their organizations don’t fully appreciate payroll’s value. That needs to change.

So, what’s next? Here’s how payroll professionals can take charge:

1. Shift the mindset: Stop thinking of payroll as a process. Start thinking like a strategic advisor.
2. Build expertise: Become the go-to expert in areas like AI, payment technologies, and workforce data.
3. Strengthen executive relationships: Payroll leaders with strong executive connections are 42% more likely to work in companies that prioritize payroll.
4. Bring solutions, not just processes: Drive conversations with data and insights that help leadership make smarter decisions.