An accountancy and business advisory firm's payroll team has been certified as meeting the gold standard for the industry.

Armstrong Watson's payroll service line has been accredited with the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professional’s Payroll Assurance Scheme for the third time.

It audits the payroll processes and the learning and development of staff and is approved and developed in partnership with HMRC.

Armstrong Watson’s payroll were highly commended with a score of 99 per cent.

Partner and head of the payroll service line Karen Thomson said: “I’m absolutely delighted the service has been awarded the accreditation for the third time.

"In particular, I am pleased to see the CIPP introduce further assessments on our future strategies, providing the payroll leadership team with reassurance that we are doing our very best to ensure we can continue to provide both excellent customer service and also are using technology so we can add further value to the payroll services we can offer.

“My team work hard throughout the year ensuring our procedures are robust and fit for purpose and embrace their own learning and development to be the top of their game. I am extremely proud of all the team.”