Top 10 Payroll Assistant Certifications

Certifications are important for a payroll assistant in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that employers look for when hiring. Certifications provide proof that an individual has the skills and experience necessary to succeed in their role, and can also be used to demonstrate commitment to professional development. Additionally, certifications may make a candidate more attractive to potential employers since they will be able to show that they have gone above and beyond what is typically required for their position. In some cases, certifications may even give a payroll assistant an edge over other applicants who do not have the same qualifications.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Payroll Assistants and explains how they can help to further a career in payroll assistance.

What are Payroll Assistant Certifications?

Payroll assistant certification is a professional credential that recognizes an individual’s knowledge and skills in the area of payroll processing. This certification can be obtained by completing a program offered by the American Payroll Association (APA) or other recognized organizations. It demonstrates to employers that the individual is knowledgeable in payroll laws, regulations, and procedures, and is qualified to perform payroll duties.

Having this certification can help individuals stand out from other job applicants when applying for positions related to payroll services. It also helps employers know that they are hiring someone who has the necessary qualifications to accurately process payroll transactions. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity for professionals to stay current on changes in the field of payroll processing through continuing education courses offered by APA or other organizations.

Overall, having a payroll assistant certification can provide individuals with increased job opportunities and lead to more satisfying careers in the field of payroll services.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the different types of payroll assistant certifications available and understand the requirements for each, as well as the benefits associated with them. This will help you decide which certification is best for your career and provide you with a better chance of success when applying for jobs.

Related: What does a Payroll Assistant do?

Top 10 Payroll Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Payroll Assistants today.

1. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is a professional certification program offered by the American Payroll Association (APA). The CPP designation is designed to recognize payroll professionals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in payroll management.

The CPP program consists of three parts: an online learning course, a comprehensive exam, and continuing education requirements. The online learning course covers topics such as payroll laws, regulations, and best practices; payroll accounting; and payroll systems and processes. After completing the course, candidates must pass a comprehensive exam that tests their knowledge of the material covered in the course.

It typically takes about one year to complete the CPP program. Candidates should plan to spend at least 10-15 hours per week studying for the exam.

To get certified, candidates must register with APA and pay a fee of $395 USD. This fee includes access to the online learning course, two attempts at the comprehensive exam, and one year’s worth of membership in APA. Once certified, CPPs must maintain their certification through continuing education credits every two years in order to remain active.

2. Certified Payroll Administrator (CPA)

A Certified Payroll Administrator (CPA) is a professional who has been certified to manage the payroll of an organization. The CPA is responsible for ensuring that all employees are paid accurately and on time, as well as managing the payroll system. A CPA must have a thorough understanding of payroll laws and regulations, as well as the ability to effectively manage payroll data.

To become a Certified Payroll Administrator, you must complete a certification program offered by one of several organizations such as the American Payroll Association or the Institute of Professional Bookkeepers. The certification process typically involves completing coursework in topics such as payroll law, tax withholding, accounting principles, and other related topics. Depending on the organization offering the certification program, it may take anywhere from two weeks to six months to complete the program.

The cost of becoming a Certified Payroll Administrator varies depending on which organization is offering the certification program. Generally speaking, most programs will cost between $500-$1,000 USD for tuition and materials.

Once you have completed your certification program, you will be eligible to take an exam administered by your chosen organization in order to receive your CPA designation. Upon successful completion of this exam, you will be recognized as a Certified Payroll Administrator and can start working in this field immediately!

3. Certified Payroll Manager (CPM)

Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) is a professional designation awarded by the American Payroll Association (APA). The CPM credential is designed to recognize payroll professionals with the knowledge and expertise to manage payroll operations in accordance with federal and state regulations.

The CPM program consists of two parts: a comprehensive exam and a portfolio of work experience. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have three years of full-time payroll experience, or five years of part-time payroll experience. Applicants must also complete an APA-approved course in payroll fundamentals prior to taking the exam.

The CPM exam is offered twice each year, usually in April and October. It consists of 150 multiple choice questions covering topics such as payroll law, accounting principles, tax compliance, employee benefits, and more. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost of the CPM program varies depending on your location and other factors. In general, it can cost anywhere from $400-$1,000 to take the exam plus any associated fees for courses or materials you may need to purchase. Once you pass the exam, there is an annual renewal fee that ranges from $100-$150 depending on your location.

To maintain your certification status, you must complete at least 10 hours of continuing education every two years and pay an annual renewal fee.

4. Certified Payroll Specialist (CPS)

A Certified Payroll Specialist (CPS) is a professional who specializes in processing payroll and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The CPS designation is awarded by the American Payroll Association (APA) after successful completion of their certification program.

To become a Certified Payroll Specialist, an individual must complete the APA's certification program, which includes passing two exams. The first exam covers basic payroll knowledge and concepts, while the second exam focuses on more advanced topics such as taxation and labor law. Candidates must also demonstrate experience in the field of payroll processing or have completed an approved course in payroll fundamentals prior to taking the exams.

The cost of obtaining the CPS designation varies depending on whether you choose to take the exams online or in-person at an APA testing center. Online exams cost $195 each while in-person exams cost $295 each plus any additional fees that may be required by your local testing center. Additionally, there is a one-time application fee of $50 when applying for the CPS designation.

It typically takes between four to six weeks to receive your results from the APA after completing both exams. Once you have passed both exams, you will receive your official certificate and be able to use the CPS designation when listing your credentials on resumes or job applications.

5. Professional in Human Resources-Payroll Certification (PHR-P)

The Professional in Human Resources-Payroll Certification (PHR-P) is a certification program offered by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). It is designed to recognize professionals who demonstrate knowledge and expertise in human resources, payroll, and benefits administration. The PHR-P certification is intended for those with three or more years of experience in these areas.

The PHR-P certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as payroll laws, employee benefits, compensation management, and other related topics. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To obtain the PHR-P certification, applicants must first submit an application to HRCI. Once the application has been approved, applicants must register for the exam and pay a fee of $395 USD. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their official PHR-P certificate from HRCI.

In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also maintain their certification by completing continuing education credits every three years. The cost of continuing education credits varies depending on where they are obtained from but typically range from $100-$500 USD per year.

6. American Payroll Association’s Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)

The American Payroll Association’s Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of payroll professionals. It is a comprehensive certification program that covers all aspects of payroll processing, including federal and state regulations, wage and hour laws, payroll accounting, and more.

The FPC exam consists of multiple-choice questions based on the material contained in the FPC Study Guide. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and is administered by Prometric Testing Centers across the United States. To be eligible to take the FPC exam, you must have two years of full-time payroll experience or one year of full-time payroll experience plus 30 semester hours in an accredited college or university.

To get the FPC certification, you must first pass the FPC exam with a score of 70% or higher. Once you have passed the exam, you will be certified for five years from your date of passing. After five years, you must retake the exam to maintain your certification status.

The cost to take the FPC exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically ranges from $175-$275 USD. Additionally, there are study materials available for purchase that can help prepare for the exam.

7. QuickBooks ProAdvisor-Payroll Certification

QuickBooks ProAdvisor-Payroll Certification is an official certification program offered by Intuit that enables QuickBooks ProAdvisors to become certified in the use of QuickBooks Payroll software. This certification is designed to help QuickBooks ProAdvisors gain a better understanding of how to use and manage payrolls for their clients.

The QuickBooks ProAdvisor-Payroll Certification program consists of a one-day, instructor-led training course and an online exam. The training course covers topics such as setting up payroll accounts, running payroll reports, and managing employee information. The online exam tests your knowledge of the material covered in the course.

It typically takes about 8 hours to complete the training course and take the online exam, although this can vary depending on the individual's learning style.

To get certified, you must first register for the QuickBooks ProAdvisor-Payroll Certification program with Intuit. The cost of registration varies depending on your country or region, but typically ranges from $99 - $199 USD. After registering, you will receive access to the training materials and be able to take the online exam at any time within 90 days of registration.

Once you pass the online exam, you will receive your official QuickBooks ProAdvisor-Payroll Certification certificate in 2 - 4 weeks via email.

8. International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans’ Certified Payroll Administrator Program

The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans’ Certified Payroll Administrator Program is a certification program designed to provide payroll professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to manage payroll systems. The program covers topics such as payroll law, accounting principles, payroll taxes, and payroll technology. It also includes hands-on exercises that help participants practice their skills.

The program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person exam. The online course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete and costs $295 USD. The in-person exam is held at various locations throughout the year and requires a fee of $395 USD for members or $495 USD for non-members. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience in a payroll position or have completed the IFEPB’s Payroll Practices Certificate Program.

To become certified, applicants must pass both the online course and the in-person exam with a score of 70% or higher. Upon successful completion of both parts of the program, participants will receive a certificate from IFEPB recognizing them as Certified Payroll Administrators (CPA). The certification is valid for three years before renewal is required.

9. Institute of Financial Operations’ Certified Accounts Payable Professional Program

The Institute of Financial Operations’ Certified Accounts Payable Professional (CAPP) program is a comprehensive certification program that provides accounts payable professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage their accounts payable departments. The CAPP program consists of four courses: Accounts Payable Fundamentals, Advanced Accounts Payable Management, Automating Accounts Payable Processes, and Accounts Payable Leadership. Each course is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of accounts payable management, as well as the latest best practices and technologies used in today’s accounts payable departments.

It typically takes 4-6 months to complete the CAPP program. To get certified, you must pass all four courses with a minimum score of 70%. You can also choose to take one or more of the courses individually if you prefer.

The cost for the entire CAPP program is $1,695 USD. This includes access to all four courses and materials needed for each course. Additionally, there are discounts available for groups who wish to take the program together.

10. Society for Human Resource Management’s Senior Professional in Human Resources - Global Program

The Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) Senior Professional in Human Resources – Global Program (SPHR-G) is a certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and experience of professionals working in global human resource management. It is the only globally recognized HR certification that focuses on the global aspects of HR management.

It takes approximately six months to complete the SPHR-G program, depending on your level of experience and how quickly you are able to work through the material. The program consists of two parts: an online self-study course and a proctored exam. The cost of the program is $1,299 for SHRM members and $1,499 for non-members.

To get started with the SPHR-G program, you will need to register online at shrmcertification.org/sphr-g/. Once registered, you will have access to all of the materials needed to complete the self-study portion of the program. After completing this part, you will then be eligible to schedule your proctored exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you. Upon passing this exam, you will receive your SPHR-G certification from SHRM.

Do You Really Need a Payroll Assistant Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their career goals. If you are looking to enter the payroll field, a Payroll Assistant Certificate could be beneficial in helping you stand out from other applicants and demonstrate your commitment to the profession. A certificate can also provide an opportunity to gain specific knowledge and skills related to payroll processing, including tax regulations, accounting principles, employee benefits, and payroll systems.

However, if you already have experience in the field or are looking for a job that requires more advanced skills than those gained through a certificate program, then the certificate may not be necessary. In addition, some employers may prefer employees who have earned a degree in accounting or business administration. If you want to remain competitive in the job market and advance your career in payroll processing, consider earning a degree or certification that is tailored specifically for this profession.

Related: Payroll Assistant Resume Examples

FAQs About Payroll Assistant Certifications

Q1. What is a Payroll Assistant Certification?

A1. A Payroll Assistant Certification is a professional certification designed to equip payroll professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively perform payroll functions in an organization. This certification typically involves coursework, exams, and other requirements that demonstrate proficiency in payroll operations.

Q2. What are the benefits of obtaining a Payroll Assistant Certification?

A2. Obtaining a Payroll Assistant Certification demonstrates dedication to the profession and provides employers with assurance that you have the knowledge and skills to properly handle payroll functions. In addition, having a certification can potentially lead to more job opportunities and higher wages due to increased marketability as an expert in payroll operations.

Q3. How do I obtain a Payroll Assistant Certification?

A3. To obtain a Payroll Assistant Certification, you must complete coursework related to payroll operations, pass required exams, and fulfill any additional requirements set by the certifying organization or institution offering the program.

Q4. What type of organizations offer Payroll Assistant Certifications?

A4. Many organizations including professional associations, universities, colleges, government agencies, and private companies offer Payroll Assistant Certifications for those interested in pursuing this career path. It is important to research the certifying organization or institution prior to enrolling in their program to ensure it meets your specific needs and objectives for obtaining certification.

Q5. How long does it take to obtain a Payroll Assistant Certification?

A5. The length of time required for obtaining a Payroll Assistant Certification varies depending on the certifying organization or institution offering the program as well as individual progress made during coursework completion and exam preparation/testing processes. Generally speaking however, most programs require approximately 6-12 months of study before one can become certified in this field of work