An accountants and business advisory firm has been shortlisted for three national awards.

Armstrong Watson's payroll team has been shortlisted in three categories at the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals Annual Excellence Awards.

Amy Johnson, payroll implementation and technical support manager, has been shortlisted for manager of the year.

The team is also in the running for the project of the year award and payroll services partner Karen Thomson is vying to be named 'my biggest influencer'.

The project of the year nomination was for the team’s newly implemented training initiative, which used the CIPP’s Payroll Assurance Scheme Competency Framework, and introduced a new gap analysis tool that allowed the team to self-assess and meet training needs more accurately.

They won the same category at last year’s awards for their ‘Bostik’ online payroll project.

Amy said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for payroll manager of the year.

"It is an honour and completely unexpected. I’ve worked closely with the team to try and ensure that all their training needs are met, and I feel that this is confirmation that the processes that have been put in place are a success, which is great for both myself and the bureau as a whole.

"Thank you to whoever nominated me.”

Karen was unaware she had been nominated for the ‘my biggest influencer’ award, where individuals can put forward a personal nomination for someone who has helped, supported them in their own payroll career.

Karen said: “It is an honour for Armstrong Watson payroll services to be shortlisted in three different categories.

"I am extremely proud of my team and delighted to see that the hard work of the nominated individuals, and the team as a whole, has been recognised at these prestigious awards.

"As for my own, personal nomination for ‘my biggest influencer’, I am delighted and humbled to have been shortlisted for this award.

"My aim, over many years, has always been to impart knowledge, whether as a tutor or a manager and to be nominated by my peers is such an honour.

"I believe very strongly in succession planning and you simply cannot do this without offering everything you have to those who want to grow in their career."

The winners will be announced on October 3.