June rolls in with a cold sharp bite,
And payroll teams prepare for the fight.
Not fists and fury, but forms and files,
With checklists stretching endless miles.
The phone won't stop, the queries flow,
"Will my super clear?", "Do you even know?"
While juggling pay runs and EOFY stress,
You've not even touched your inbox mess.
Reconcile everything, down to the cent,
Crosscheck figures wherever they're sent.
Superannuation, leave accruals too,
Make sure what's owed is what is due.
Update thresholds, new tax rates apply,
Another reason to sigh (or maybe cry).
Modern awards have shifted again,
Reprogramming rates with a payroll brain.
Income statements and final STP,
Lodged by deadline, not optionally.
Then there's payroll tax, that yearly beast,
A state based banquet, never a feast.
Victoria, Queensland, NSW
Each wants their share, and none will delay.
Lodge returns, confirm your wage base,
And don't forget fringe benefits, just in case.
Lunch? What lunch? It's 3pm!
A half eaten wrap and a cold coffee gem.
You're knee deep in audits, chasing old errors,
Dreaming of holidays, not compliance terrors.
But still you press on, tired yet proud,
While the rest of the office laughs loud and loud.
They think payroll's just buttons and pay,
If only they walked in your shoes for a day.
So here's to you, payroll's quiet elite,
Who track every dollar, deduction and cheat.
May your systems behave, your lodgements go through,
And July bring silence and a much calmer view.
