After four weeks of brain-teasing gameplay and more than 100 participants, the field had narrowed to just three standout finalists of the Decoding Payroll Tournament; each ready to compete for the top honor in a fast-paced, high-stakes showdown.

The tournament finals opened today's Closing General Session with a buzz of enthusiasm as emcee Bryan Chan welcomed the crowd and reflected on the journey so far.

As Devin Reeves, FPC, Lynn Belles, and Laura Stewart, FPC, took the stage and introduced themselves, the audience knew they were about to witness a unique blend of payroll expertise and quick-thinking competition.

The final challenge was no ordinary puzzle. Contestants were tasked with solving a payroll-themed rebus puzzle—but with a catch: they wouldn’t see the full image right away.

Arms at their sides and eyes on the screen, the finalists waited for each scrambled word to appear, ready to buzz in at a moment’s notice.

The words "hour and wage", "fringe benefits", "salary", "deduction", "calculator", "paycheck" and "compliance" appeared in jumbled form, testing not only familiarity with payroll terminology but also speed and accuracy under pressure.

With each correct response, a new fragment of the rebus puzzle was revealed. After each round, the contestant who correctly solved the scrambled word had the opportunity to guess the overall rebus solution—or pass and wait for more clues.

This added a layer of strategy to the competition: guess early and risk being wrong, or hold back for a more complete picture?

As the puzzle slowly came into focus, tension built in the room. Each contestant weighed their options carefully, balancing instinct with patience.

“It’s getting spicy, but here we go!” emcee Bryan Chan yelled to the crowd.  

At last, the turning point arrived. With enough pieces revealed, one finalist confidently stepped forward with the correct solution—bringing the competition to an exciting close.

The crowd erupted in applause as the winner was announced, earning not only bragging rights but also a free registration to next year’s Payroll Congress and a one-of-a-kind gold medal to commemorate the achievement.

While only one competitor could claim the top prize, all three finalists were recognized for their impressive performance throughout the tournament.

The runner-up, determined by the number of puzzles solved during the final round, received a silver medal along with a certificate for a free PAYO seminar or webinar.

The third-place finalist was awarded the bronze medal and a one-year subscription to The Payroll Source Online, ensuring their payroll learning journey continues well beyond Congress.

“I hope you’ve gained the tools to solve the real-world puzzles on your own,” PayrollOrg President Jim Medlock said.

In a profession often defined by precision and complexity, this competition offered a refreshing reminder: sometimes, solving payroll challenges can feel like cracking a code—and with the right skills, it’s a challenge worth celebrating.

Raul Plata, Jr., is the Editorial Assistant of Membership Publications for PayrollOrg. Emily West is a freelance writer in Nashville, Tenn.