👉 Watch the replay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgAF6SuzT1o
As the accounting profession continues to evolve, one area experiencing rapid transformation is payroll—fueled by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time data insights. During a recent Future Forward App Academy hosted by Insightful Accountant, ADP’s Heather Sperduto shared a powerful perspective on how payroll is no longer a back-office process, but a strategic gateway into advisory services, compliance leadership, and talent retention strategies.
With over 76 years of payroll leadership and data spanning more than 900,000 clients, ADP has unique visibility into workforce trends and evolving regulatory demands. Sperduto emphasized that today’s accounting professionals are expected to serve as strategic partners—not just processors—providing proactive guidance on areas such as overtime compliance, multi-state hiring, contractor management, and retirement mandates under Secure 2.0.
AI as the New Payroll Engine
AI is changing the way payroll is initiated, reviewed, and optimized. ADP’s platform now uses AI to detect and intercept potential payroll errors before they occur—already preventing over 7 million issues across its client base. This shift from reactive troubleshooting to proactive prevention enables firms to offer a higher standard of accuracy and assurance to their clients.
According to recent research shared during the session, over 70% of professionals view AI as an opportunity—not a threat—recognizing its ability to enhance skills and elevate advisory capabilities. For accountants, this means less time correcting data and more time interpreting it to guide better business decisions.
Turning Payroll Data Into Advisory Gold
Sperduto demonstrated ADP’s Accountant Connect platform, designed exclusively for accounting professionals. The platform consolidates payroll insights, benchmarks, compliance alerts, and workforce analytics into one dashboard—surfacing real-time advisory opportunities. Examples include identifying clients with high overtime exposure, tracking gig worker classifications, and modeling retirement plan costs under Secure 2.0.
Instead of guessing at client risks or waiting for year-end surprises, firms can now use payroll data as an early warning system—and a launchpad for new advisory services in HR, compensation planning, and cash flow forecasting.
From Payroll Processor to Strategic Advisor
As client expectations evolve, payroll is emerging as a catalyst for deeper client relationships. Firms that embrace AI-powered payroll solutions are better equipped to navigate shifting regulations, multi-state employment, wage inflation, and workforce mobility—while positioning themselves as trusted strategic partners.
This evolution signals a broader truth: Payroll is no longer the end of the workflow. It’s the beginning of value creation.
About ADP for Accountants
ADP provides accounting professionals with AI-driven payroll, HR, compliance tools, and workforce analytics through its exclusive Accountant Connect platform—designed to help firms deliver proactive advisory services to clients of all sizes.
To learn more, visit ADP.com/accountant.
📺 Watch the replay here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgAF6SuzT1o
We’d love to hear your take — after watching, drop a comment and let us know how you see AI shaping the future of payroll in your firm.