How finance and payroll teams collaborate (and how we help you hire them) 

In the Netherlands, finance and payroll teams are strategic partners that shape business goals, drive better decisions and power workforce planning. Together, these functions influence everything from headcount and labour costs to employee engagement and profitability. 

Organisations competing for top talent must understand this collaboration and hire the right people to lead it. Alongside our sister brand Frazer Jones, we connect you with senior finance professionals and payroll experts who make this partnership work. 

Why finance and payroll collaboration matters 

Finance teams provide the insight that drives growth: forecasting, risk management and return on investment. Payroll ensures accurate payments and a positive employee experience. 

When these functions work together, businesses can: 

• Streamline processes and break down silos 

• Align human capital investments with business needs 

• Improve metrics and KPIs for workforce management 

• Reduce labour costs while supporting sustainability 

This isn’t just about paying people; it’s about making smarter decisions, improving retention and delivering initiatives that enhance wellbeing and onboarding. 

The Dutch context: complexity and opportunity 

The Netherlands offers a strong business environment, but its payroll regulations are complex. Employers must navigate: 

• Progressive wage tax bands (up to ~49.5%) 

• Social security contributions 

• Healthcare premia 

• Frequent legislative updates 

Errors can lead to financial and reputational damage, including data breaches. That’s why collaboration between finance and payroll is essential to ensure accuracy and strategic alignment. 

Payroll as a strategic lever for finance 

Payroll is a source of critical financial data that informs workforce planning, cost optimisation and business forecasting. Finance teams use payroll metrics to model future labour costs, assess the impact of every new hire and calculate return on investment for talent acquisition initiatives.  

When payroll data is integrated into financial planning, organisations can make faster, smarter decisions that protect the bottom line. 

Technology is transforming collaboration 

Digital tools are breaking down silos between finance and HR teams. Modern HRIS and ERP systems provide real-time visibility into headcount, labour costs and benefits, enabling finance teams to forecast with greater accuracy.  

Payroll automation reduces errors, improves compliance and frees up time for strategic work. For businesses in the Netherlands, where regulations change frequently, technology is essential for sustainability and scalability. 

The talent challenge: why expertise matters 

As payroll becomes more complex and integrated with finance, the skills required to manage these functions are evolving. Finance leaders need a deep understanding of employment costs, tax structures and HR data analytics.  

Payroll professionals must be comfortable working with finance teams and using technology to deliver insights. Recruiting the right people for these roles is critical.  

Five areas where finance and payroll work together 

• Compliance and risk management 
  Finance and payroll teams work together to meet tax and social security obligations. This partnership reduces risk and protects the bottom line 

• Forecasting and workforce planning 
  Payroll and HR data feed into financial models for forecasting salaries, benefits and employer contributions. This insight helps finance teams set hiring targets and plan staffing initiatives that align with business goals 

• Strategic hiring and cost optimisation 
  Every new hire impacts labour costs and profitability. Finance and payroll collaboration ensures each compensation package is competitive yet sustainable, supporting talent acquisition without overspending 

• Systems integration and automation 
  Modern businesses rely on HRIS, ERP platforms and software solutions to provide real-time visibility into costs and headcount. Integration helps streamline reporting, improve decision-making and strengthen governance 

• Employee experience and retention 
  Accurate payroll impacts employee engagement, wellbeing and retention. Finance and HR leaders who collaborate effectively can deliver initiatives that enhance onboarding, improve employee experience and support long-term sustainability 

How we’ll help you hire the right senior finance talent 

At Brewer Morris, we recruit senior finance professionals who understand the link between payroll and financial strategy. These roles shape decisions that optimise costs and enable growth. 

We focus on roles such as: 

• CFOs and finance directors who set strategic direction 

• Tax and treasury specialists who manage risk and cash flow 

• Controllers and FP&A leaders who turn payroll data into actionable insights 

Our expertise in the Dutch market means we know how compensation expectations intersect with payroll constraints. We help you secure talent that can: 

• Deliver accurate forecasting and budgeting 

• Align hiring strategies with financial capacity 

• Implement automation and software solutions for efficiency 

How we work with Frazer Jones 

While we focus on senior finance, Frazer Jones recruits HR professionals and payroll experts who deliver operational excellence. Together, we provide a complete solution for finance collaboration and workforce management to help you hire the right people across both functions. 

Build a team that powers hiring 

Finance and payroll shape the future of your business. With Brewer Morris and Frazer Jones as your recruitment partners, you can build a team that’s cost-effective and ready for growth. 

Talk to us today about hiring senior finance and payroll leaders who make a difference.