A day in the life of an HR & Payroll consultant, with Codruța Ionescu, Senior Consultant

Hello, Codruța, thank you for joining our discussion today! Let’s offer our readers some information about you. What is your current role within our company and how did your journey look like up until now?

Hello and thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this discussion! I am a Senior Consultant in the Outsourcing - HR & Payroll department of Forvis Mazars in Romania, where I’ve been working for more than 11 years.

What makes this story even more special is that Forvis Mazars offered me my very first serious job, right after graduating from university. I initially joined the team as a receptionist, working in the front office, and just a few months later I was given the opportunity to transfer into the Outsourcing - HR & Payroll department.

From then on, it has been quite a journey, one that I loved from the very beginning! I started with a lot of curiosity and willingness to learn, and as I progressed, I had the chance to grow professionally, take on more responsibility, and work with great colleagues and clients. Every year has brought me new challenges and opportunities to improve, and I feel grateful for that.

What does a normal day in your life look like? Take us through your tasks, responsibilities, rituals.

No two days are exactly the same, but that’s what I like about this job. My mornings usually start with a coffee, then checking emails and reviewing the priorities for the day. This ritual is then followed by discussions with my team, to make sure we are aligned.

A big part of my work is comprised of delivering personalised solutions on payroll and HR-related topics to our clients, at the highest standard of quality. Thus, it is essential that we ensure all processes run smoothly and deadlines are respected.

How do you interact with your team within your activity and what is their role in your growth journey?

I work very closely with my team, and I consider this to be one of the best parts about my role. We support each other, share ideas, and celebrate both the small and the big wins. 
What I really appreciate is that we function as a true team – no one is above or below anyone else, we all contribute equally and work together to achieve our goals. My colleagues have definitely played a big role in my growth, by challenging me, inspiring me, and making the work more enjoyable every day.

As a consultant, you offer our clients personalised HR & Payroll services, tailored to their needs. How different is your activity from that of a professional working within an in-house Human Resources department?

I would say the main difference lies in the variety. As a consultant, I work with many clients from different industries, each with their own particularities and challenges.

While an in-house HR professional is usually more focused on one company’s needs, policies and culture, the consultancy domain allows me to explore multiple approaches and adapt my solutions and strategies to each client.

What’s one aspect that people would be surprised to hear about your job?

Tapping into the popular culture, we can say that many people think payroll is just about numbers and HR is only about recruitment. In reality, aspects such as legislation and keeping up with constant changes are equally important.

It’s also essential to understand that each of our actions produces an impact and behind each calculation there is an employee who needs our support – that is where the human side of our work steps into the spotlight.

What was the biggest lesson or learning opportunity that you encountered on your journey?

Throughout the years, I’ve learned that flexibility, adaptability and continuous learning are essential. Laws and regulations change often, client needs evolve, become more complex, and we have to adapt constantly.

Another valuable lesson was learning the importance of teamwork – you can achieve so much more when you collaborate, share knowledge, and grow together with your colleagues.

Thank you, Codruța, for your time and interesting insights! What message would you like to share with our readers, especially the ones only at the beginning of their career?  

I would like to thank you as well, it’s been a pleasure!

I want to encourage our readers to be curious, stay open, and to not be afraid to ask questions, although sometimes they seem silly to you. Every experience, even the challenging ones, will contribute to your growth. Most importantly, enjoy the journey and surround yourself with people who inspire and support you – that makes all the difference.