Some people find their career. Others grow into it and never look back. Cathy Beed came to payroll without a plan and stayed because the work kept challenging her. She now manages payroll for clients across multiple states, and she is the person our team counts on when something complicated lands on the desk. I asked Cathy about what she has learned and what she wants people new to this work to know.
What’s your role at Xenium, and what part of the work energizes you most?
I’m a Senior Payroll Specialist at Xenium, managing payroll for clients in multiple states. I’ve spent many years in payroll, and I enjoy that every day brings a new challenge.
What I enjoy most is helping clients resolve payroll issues and ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time. I like taking something complicated and making it easier for our clients.
What shift in payroll has shaped you the most?
The biggest change I’ve seen is how technology-driven payroll has become. When I started, many processes were manual. Today, systems make things faster while also creating new challenges. No matter how much things change, the goal remains the same. Employees need to be paid accurately and on time.
What should clients be watching, now and a few years out?
I think one of the biggest challenges for clients is keeping up with changing payroll laws and requirements, especially across multiple states.
Technology continues to change payroll as well, but having someone who understands the details and can catch issues is still important. Clients need confidence that their payroll is being handled correctly.
What are you most proud of in your career?
I’m proud of building my career in payroll and becoming someone clients can rely on, especially when things get complicated. Managing multiple clients across different states and helping solve payroll challenges while keeping things accurate is something I take pride in.
I enjoy being the person who can dig into an issue, find a solution, and make things easier for clients.
What advice would you give someone new to payroll?
I would tell someone new to payroll to be patient, keep learning, and pay attention to the details. Payroll has a lot of moving parts, and behind every paycheck is a person counting on you to get it right. Building that trust is what makes someone successful.
Is there a client moment that stuck with you?
A moment that always stands out to me is helping a client work through a payroll issue that seemed complicated or stressful. Being able to dig in, find a solution, and give them confidence that it’s handled is very rewarding.
After all these years in payroll, I’ve learned that the work is not really about the numbers. It’s about the people behind those paychecks.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m excited to keep learning as payroll continues to evolve and to use my experience to help clients navigate new systems and regulations. I hope to continue being someone clients can count on to understand the details and find solutions.
What would your coworkers be surprised to learn about you?
My coworkers might be surprised to learn that I didn’t always plan on a career in payroll. It just became something that I grew to enjoy. After all these years, I still like the challenge of solving problems and learning something new.
Outside of work, I’m a pretty down-to-earth person. I enjoy spending time with my family and my dog, going to the pool, and appreciating the little things in life.
Describe your work style in three words.
Reliable, detail-oriented, and determined.
I’ve always been someone who takes pride in getting things right, following through, and finding solutions when challenges come up. Payroll is all about the details, and I like being someone people can depend on.