Course overview
This online payroll technician course offers a qualification allowing individuals to develop and formalise payroll knowledge and skills. Whilst studying for the payroll certificate at home, students progress to applying complex legislation and contractual obligations to enable accurate administration of payroll services. As a first step to becoming a certified payroll professional, it offers progression to higher payroll qualifications such as our Payroll Specialist Certificate.
- 15 CPD points
CIPP Member and CIPP non-member rate: £1,695 + VAT*
Job outcomes
- Payroll Technician
Study method
- Online
- Blended
- In-class
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Duration study load
- 26 weeks
Pathways
- Payroll Technician Certificate Top-Up
- Payroll Specialist Certificate
Testimonials
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Tracey MaddisonPayroll Technician Certificate"The course was extremely beneficial and I would recommend to anyone even considering a degree course next year. It gave me the freedom to study at a time that was convenient to me; the group forum was brilliant and gave me the confidence to ask questions, I had the ability to contact my tutor at any time and I really enjoyed the course."
Who's it for?
Payroll administrators, payroll coordinators and payroll officers who work in a payroll bureau, accountancy firm or in-house payroll team will benefit from this industry-recognised qualification.
This course is also suitable for HR and finance professionals who have assumed responsibility for the payroll department but need a hands-on comprehension of how payroll figures and forms are produced.
A payroll technician’s job is to ensure the accuracy of payroll calculations and provide and maintain detailed information for specific payroll functions. You can learn much more about the role by completing our certificate.
Why should you invest in this certificate?
Having fully trained payroll administrators is vital for organisations to ensure they remain compliant with the increasing amount of regulations and legislation which impact on the day-to-day running of the payroll department.
Designed for those new to payroll, or those who wish to improve their working knowledge of payroll processes, this qualification covers the core skills required to administer the payroll function. From calculating gross pay and identifying the differences between taxable and NICable pay, the course covers in-depth the methodologies for the manual calculation of PAYE income tax, NICs, student loan deductions and statutory payments.
Each module offers comprehensive learning materials; links to a range of external materials; and knowledge tests associated with these topics. The key subject matter is further enriched with digital online learning tutorials as well as interactive scenario-based exercises, which enable students to apply their new-found knowledge and skills through realistic scenarios. This variety of learning mediums provides a complete developmental experience which enhances ready application in the workplace, to the benefit of students and employers alike.
On completion of this course, you will have the knowledge required to enable you to efficiently and accurately handle the variety of issues encountered when processing payrolls.
Delivery
The online qualification is delivered through our online learning platform permitting students a more flexible study pattern. Students will work through a series of interactive activities and quizzes supported by detailed study material. They may track their understanding by undertaking knowledge-check assessments before progressing to the next section. The qualification concludes with a two-part assessment comprising of a timed question-based test.
PLEASE NOTE: From April 2024 the second part of this assessment will change from scenario-based exercises to a timetabled online examination invigilated through remote proctoring to demonstrate competence with manual calculations.
Successful completion of this qualification demonstrates competency and understanding of payroll administration and is also representative of the work students undertake in real-life payroll administration.
Subjects
- Classifying taxable and NICable pay elements
- Calculating pay apportionments correctly
- Ascertaining what makes a deduction from pay lawful
- Classifying the three types of deductions
- Distinguishing deductions which affect taxable and NICable pay
- The administrative considerations for voluntary deductions
- Recognising the names and current amounts of NIC thresholds
- Listing the current rates of NICs for each category letter
- Identifying the correct NI category letter for employees
- Calculating NICs using the exact percentage method
- Calculating NICs using the Table method
- Identifying circumstances which warrant ’emergency tax codes’
- Categorising different tax codes
- Distinguishing Scottish tax codes
- Identifying the different allowances available
- Navigating through pay adjustment table A
- Calculating income tax using the table method
- Calculating income tax using the manual method
- Awareness of circumstances where tax refunds may be processed
- Listing information required for processing starters & leavers
- Completing forms P45 and New Starter Checklist correctly
- Overview of different types of pension schemes
- Identify the different tax relief mechanisms for pension contributions
- Identify employees liable to student loan deductions
- Distinguish the different student loan repayment plans
- Calculate Student loan deductions
- Define attachable earnings
- Identify the different array of court orders
- Distinguishing court orders from arrestment orders
About CIPP
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) is the Chartered Institute for payroll, pensions and reward professionals in the UK. With more than 9,500 individuals benefitting from the CIPP's membership benefits and CIPP-approved qualifications and training, the Institute is dedicated to raising the profile of payroll in businesses across the UK.
The education portfolio, developed, delivered, assessed, and awarded by IPP Education (a wholly owned subsidiary of the CIPP), has been developed based on business and individual’s needs, to ensure we are providing the most relevant training in the market.
Our policy and research team represent our members at government consultation forums, ensuring members are up to date and have a voice; and the Consult service offers compliance health checks in payroll processes and procedures to ensure businesses are complying with legislation to avoid large penalties.
In 2021 the CIPP was recognised as the best overall UK association at The Association Excellence Awards, and in 2022 achieved 39th place in the ‘Best Small Companies to Work For’ list and 5th within the ‘Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For’. These prestigious accolades showcase the CIPP's commitment to quality and professionalism and acknowledges excellence in our workplace engagement.