Career in Payroll Management

Payroll management requires specially trainedinstructor led learning series. This training program
people to handle the work. If currently availableis offered at colleges and universities all over USA
data can be relied upon, it is a field that iswith a certificate awarded on completion.
expected to grow by almost thirty percent in theThe first course, called Primary Payroll Skills,
next five years. Such growth gives rise to acovers those needing detailed basic knowledge of
number of career opportunities. There is apreparing payrolls and related calculating and
constant requirement of qualified personnel inapplications. The second course titled Essential
companies that cater to the back office needs ofPayroll Skills provides advanced training on federal
various small and midsize enterprises by offeringpayroll law and regulatory compliance. The course
payroll management services.on Advanced Payroll Skills is for those who wish
They require competitive individuals who are ableto gain advanced knowledge and application skills
to maintain professional business relationships.on payrolls, essential for functioning at supervisory
Customer service and problem resolution are partor managerial positions. Completion of these
of the job. Other desirable attributes are excellentcourses provides a proper foundation for
soft skills in phone etiquette, presentation andsuccessfully clearing the FPC or CPP, which are
networking skills together with qualifications incertification examinations in payroll management.
accounting, payroll fundamentals, management andCertifications
support systems.The American Payroll Association provides
Employment Levelsprofessional certification credentials in payroll
There are managers, supervisors and clerksmanagement. The certification is valuable because
working at their respective levels in payrollit helps the individual demonstrate their payroll
management. They work as a team and executeexpertise and get promotions in order to advance
payroll management functions to ensure thatin their careers.
employees receive their paycheck at the rightFor payroll beginners, the certification credential is
time. They ensure compliance under the variousthe Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC). For
provisions of the law in force, relating to taxes,FPC, you are required to have thorough
insurance, sick pay and maternity pay.knowledge of terminology and concepts related to
The duties and responsibilities involved in payrollpayrolls. The other related knowledge areas would
management are to key in and process arelate to accounting principles, classification of pay
company's payrolls and employee changes.and customer service.
Preparation of weekly reports for productionFor those who have managed to gain some
stats, and change of status forms are made on aexperience in payroll administration, there is the
regular basis. It is not an easy task, taking intoadvanced certification credential called Certified
account the different levels of employees havingPayroll Professional (CPP). The examination for this
different pay.covers different employee categories, statutory
Required Qualificationsbenefits and implications related to taxation. The
Payroll administration skills for lower levelexaminee would also require an in depth
employment can be acquired through aunderstanding of penal provisions for
combination of on-the-job-experience and informalnon-compliance of statutory obligations and errors
training. Most employers prefer a high schoolrelated thereto. Questions about management and
diploma. Computer skills are highly desirable. Peoplesupport systems for payrolls are also given.
with a professional certification have a muchEarnings
greater chance of employment and a higherAt lower levels, the average annual earnings of
salary.payroll clerks per 2004 statistics were between
Training Courses$28,000-$32,000. For professionals engaged in
The American Payroll Association providessupervisory/managerial positions, the salaries are
comprehensive training through a three-coursemuch higher.