Take Part in 2026 PPCI Survey to Help Build on Future of Payroll

HR and payroll technology research and advisory firm Payroll Influences launched its third annual Payroll Profession Confidence Index (PPCI) survey, focusing on measuring the confidence, sentiment, relationships, value impact, and eminence of the payroll profession.

Initially published in 2024, the PPCI was created to amplify the collective voice of payroll professionals and raise awareness for the critical role payroll plays. The 2025 PPCI report gathered perspectives from payroll professionals and stakeholders across more than 30 countries and five continents.

The 2026 PPCI builds on this foundation, exploring how payroll professionals and stakeholders view the future of the profession, the strategic value of payroll, the maturity of payroll operations, the strength and impact of cross-functional and executive relationships, and the readiness of payroll teams to operate in an increasingly digital and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled future.

“The PPCI is specifically designed to help executive leaders better understand the operational realities and strategic potential of payroll at a time when the critical function is increasingly tied to business outcomes, risk, and agility,” said Pete Tiliakos, Founder of Payroll Influences.

The 2026 report will continue advancing and measuring two frameworks introduced through the PPCI research platform:

1. “The Five Pillars of Modern Payroll” provides a strategic framework for defining how payroll creates business value.
2. “The Modern Payroll ROI Scorecard” measures payroll’s value beyond traditional cost control, efficiency, and headcount reduction, reframing payroll ROI around strategic impact, advisory value, risk avoidance, agility enablement, employee pay experience, compliance readiness, and the organization’s ability to respond to business change with confidence.

The PPCI survey is open now through September 30 to all payroll professionals, payroll leaders, HR leaders, finance leaders, operations leaders, technology stakeholders, consultants, and payroll service providers with direct oversight, visibility, or remit into payroll operations. Findings from the 2026 PPCI report will be published at payrollinfluences.com later this year.

The PPCI is completely anonymous, with no personal information required to participate or to download the complimentary report. Payroll professionals and stakeholders interested in participating in the research can complete the survey at: https://www.payrollinfluences.com/ppci-2026.