Case Study | Accor turn to PPS payroll
Accor is one of the world’s leading hospitality groups, operating a diverse portfolio of hotels across New Zealand. With a large, dynamic workforce and complex rostering environments, payroll accuracy and compliance are critical to both operational continuity and employee trust.
Accor initially engaged Premium Payroll Solutions (PPS) through our Managed Payroll Services (MPS) to stabilise payroll operations and provide specialist support. Over time, as operational complexity and compliance expectations evolved, the engagement transitioned into a full Payroll-as-a-Service Plus (PaaS+) model.
PPS approach
1. Stabilise Before Transform
We did not start with system change.
Through MPS, PPS first established control over:
- Pay run accuracy
- Exception handling
- Data validation processes
- Payroll governance and documentation
This ensured that any future transformation would be built on a stable and understood foundation.
2. Redesign the Payroll Operating Model
Rather than treating payroll as a back-office function, PPS repositioned it as a controlled, outcome-driven service.
Key principles included:
- Clear separation between data input, validation, and pay outcomes
- Defined ownership and accountability across payroll processes
- Alignment between HR, payroll, and finance data flows
- Audit-ready processes embedded into BAU operations
3. Transition to PaaS+ on MYOB PayGlobal
The next step was moving into PPS’s Payroll-as-a-Service Plus (PaaS+) model, which powered by MYOB PayGlobal.
This transition was not simply a system migration. It was a shift to a fully managed payroll environment, where:
- PPS owns and operates the payroll system
- Configuration is aligned to compliance-first principles
- Payroll logic is structured, consistent, and testable
- Integration points are controlled and validated
The “Plus” component introduced:
- Advanced data analysis capability
- Continuous compliance monitoring
- Ongoing optimisation based on real payroll data
4. Embed Continuous Improvement
Post-transition, PPS maintained an active role in:
- Monitoring payroll trends and anomalies
- Identifying risk patterns early
- Refining configurations as business needs evolve
- Supporting decision-making with data insights
Payroll moved from reactive processing to proactive management.
Results
The transition from MPS to PaaS+ delivered measurable improvements:
Operational Confidence
Payroll is no longer dependent on individuals or manual interpretation.
Processes are structured, repeatable, and controlled.
Compliance Assurance
Accor gained a payroll environment that produces defensible, auditable outcomes, reducing exposure to historical and future risk.
Scalability
The PayGlobal-based PaaS+ model supports a complex, roster-driven workforce without increasing operational burden.
Clarity and Visibility
Improved data structure and reporting provide better insight into payroll costs, patterns, and risks.
Reduced Management Overhead
Accor no longer needs to manage payroll resources, systems, or ongoing configuration challenges.
Conclusion
For organisations like Accor, the shift is not about outsourcing payroll. It is about moving from: managing people to owning outcomes
I cannot recommend Premium Solutions highly enough. We have partnered with them for our payroll needs for a number of years, and their service has been consistently excellent. Their entire team is exceptionally knowledgeable, friendly, and always willing to go the extra mile to assist us. Every team member we've interacted with is not only wonderful to work with but also a true expert in their field. They've been instrumental in ensuring our company's compliance with NZ legislation, providing invaluable advice and proactive support. Their efficiency, combined with their dedication to tailoring solutions to our specific needs, makes them an absolute pleasure to work with and has significantly simplified our operations.
