Top 10 Payroll Consultant Certifications

Certifications are important for a payroll consultant in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that employers are looking for. Certifications provide employers with confidence that the payroll consultant is knowledgeable about current regulations, laws, and best practices related to payroll management. Additionally, certifications can help differentiate a payroll consultant from other applicants in the job market by demonstrating their commitment to staying up-to-date on their field. Certifications also signal to potential employers that a payroll consultant is reliable and trustworthy.

This article provides an overview of the top certifications for Payroll Consultants and explains how these certifications can help to advance a consultant's career.

What are Payroll Consultant Certifications?

Payroll consultant certification is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and understanding in the field of payroll administration. The certification is awarded by organizations such as the American Payroll Association (APA), which offers the Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation. This certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in payroll practices, including tax compliance, wage and hour laws, recordkeeping, accounting principles, and other related topics.

Earning a payroll consultant certification can be beneficial to both employers and employees. For employers, it provides assurance that they are receiving expert advice on payroll matters from a knowledgeable source. It also helps employers ensure compliance with applicable regulations and laws while providing peace of mind knowing their payroll processes are being handled efficiently. For employees, earning a certification can lead to higher salaries, greater job security and more career opportunities. Additionally, having a CPP designation on one’s resume can help demonstrate an individual’s commitment to professional development and best practices in their chosen field.

Pro Tip: When considering a payroll consultant certification, always look for certifications that are accredited by the American Payroll Association or other recognized organization. This ensures that you are receiving quality training from an experienced and knowledgeable payroll professional.

Related: What does a Payroll Consultant do?

Top 10 Payroll Consultant Certifications

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

1. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is a professional certification program offered by the American Payroll Association (APA). It is designed to recognize payroll professionals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and proficiency in payroll administration. The CPP designation indicates that an individual has demonstrated mastery of the principles, laws, and regulations related to payroll and is qualified to handle complex payroll issues.

To become certified as a CPP, you must pass an exam administered by the APA. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as federal and state wage and hour laws, payroll taxes, deductions, recordkeeping requirements, employee benefits, and more. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CPP exam, applicants must have at least two years of full-time experience in payroll or related fields. Applicants must also complete a minimum of 16 hours of continuing education in payroll topics within the past two years prior to taking the exam.

The cost of the CPP exam varies depending on whether you are an APA member or non-member. For members, it costs $250; for non-members, it costs $375. Additionally, there is a $50 application fee for all applicants.

Once you pass the CPP exam, you will receive your certification within six weeks after completing all requirements. Your certification will remain valid for three years before needing to be renewed with additional continuing education credits or retaking the exam again.

2. Certified Payroll Manager (CPM)

Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in payroll management. The CPM certification is awarded by the American Payroll Association, and it requires passing an exam and meeting certain educational requirements.

The exam covers topics such as payroll laws, regulations, processes, and procedures. It also tests the candidate’s knowledge of payroll systems, payroll tax compliance, and other related topics. To become certified, candidates must have at least three years of full-time experience in payroll administration or two years of full-time experience plus a college degree in business or accounting.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CPM exam. Candidates should plan on spending at least 40 hours studying for the exam and taking practice tests. There are several study materials available from the American Payroll Association to help prepare for the exam.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on whether you choose to take the online or paper version of the exam. The online version costs $299 for members of the American Payroll Association and $399 for non-members; whereas, the paper version costs $449 for members and $549 for non-members. Additionally, there is an annual fee of $50 to maintain your certification status after passing the exam.

3. Fundamentals of Payroll Certification (FPC)

Fundamentals of Payroll Certification (FPC) is a certification program offered by the American Payroll Association (APA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in payroll fundamentals. The FPC certification is ideal for those entering the payroll profession, as well as those already working in the field who wish to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise.

The FPC exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as wage and hour laws, payroll taxes, garnishments, deductions, accounting principles, and more. To pass the exam, candidates must score at least 70% or higher.

The FPC exam can be taken online or in person at an APA-approved testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on whether you are an APA member or not. For non-members, the cost is $250; for members it is $200.

It usually takes about 4-6 weeks to receive your results after taking the exam. If you pass the exam, you will receive a certificate from APA acknowledging your achievement and designating you as an FPC professional.

4. Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)

Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) is a professional certification program offered by the WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals. The certification program is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of compensation professionals.

It typically takes three to six months to complete the CCP certification process. To become certified, you must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as job analysis and evaluation, base pay administration, incentive pay programs, total rewards strategies, and global compensation practices. You must also demonstrate at least two years of professional experience in compensation or related fields.

To get started on your CCP certification journey, you will need to register with WorldatWork and purchase their CCP Exam Preparation Kit. This kit includes study materials such as practice exams, textbooks, and online resources. The cost for the kit is $1,245 USD for members or $1,495 USD for non-members.

5. Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI)

The Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) is an internationally recognized organization that provides certification for human resources professionals. The HRCI was founded in 1976 and is dedicated to helping HR professionals advance their careers by providing certifications that demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities.

There are two main types of certifications available through the HRCI: Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). The PHR certification is designed for entry-level HR professionals with at least one year of experience, while the SPHR certification is designed for experienced HR professionals with at least five years of experience.

The process of obtaining an HRCI certification typically takes several months to complete. Applicants must first submit a completed application form along with the required fee. Once the application has been approved, applicants must then pass a comprehensive exam in order to obtain the certification. The exam covers topics such as business management, organizational behavior, employment law, compensation and benefits, and labor relations.

The cost of obtaining an HRCI certification varies depending on which type of certification you are seeking. For example, the PHR exam costs $395 USD while the SPHR exam costs $595 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam such as registration fees or proctoring fees.

Overall, obtaining an HRCI certification can be a great way to advance your career in human resources and demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in this field.

6. American Payroll Association (APA)

The American Payroll Association (APA) is a professional organization that provides education and certification for payroll professionals. It was founded in 1982 to promote the profession of payroll administration and to provide members with access to resources and information. The APA offers a variety of certifications, including Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC), and Certified Global Payroll Professional (CGPP).

It typically takes six months or more to complete the requirements for any of these certifications, depending on the amount of time available for study. To get certified, applicants must pass an exam administered by the APA. The cost of each certification varies depending on the type of certification sought. Generally, it costs around $400-$500 for CPP or FPC certification, while CGPP certification can cost up to $1,000.

In addition to offering certifications, the APA also provides educational resources such as webinars, articles, podcasts, and conferences. The APA also hosts an annual conference called “Congress” which is attended by thousands of payroll professionals from around the world.

7. International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP)

The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) is a not-for-profit organization that provides education, research and resources to employee benefit plan professionals around the world. It was founded in 1967 and serves over 25,000 members from more than 100 countries. The IFEBP offers a wide range of educational programs and services to help members stay current on industry trends and best practices.

It typically takes about two weeks to get your membership with the IFEBP after you submit your application. To get started, you will need to fill out an online application form which requires basic information such as name, address, phone number, email address, employer information and payment details. Once your application is approved, you will receive a welcome package with your membership card and additional materials.

The cost of joining the IFEBP depends on the type of membership you choose. There are three different types of memberships: Professional Member ($395/year), Student Member ($95/year) or Retired Member ($50/year). Each type of membership comes with its own benefits including access to educational materials, discounts on conferences and events, professional development opportunities and more.

Overall, becoming a member of the IFEBP can be beneficial for those looking to stay up-to-date on employee benefit plans and learn from industry experts.

8. Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is a professional organization for human resource professionals. It was founded in 1948 and has grown to become the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. SHRM provides resources, education, and certification programs to help its members excel in their HR roles.

It typically takes two to three months to complete the application process for SHRM membership. To join, applicants must complete an online application form and provide proof of their current or past HR experience. Applicants must also pay a one-time initiation fee as well as annual dues, which vary depending on the type of membership chosen. The initiation fee ranges from $25-$150 and annual dues range from $50-$250 depending on the type of membership chosen.

Once accepted into SHRM, members have access to a variety of resources including educational materials, networking opportunities with other HR professionals, discounts on conferences and events, access to job postings, and more. Additionally, members can pursue certifications such as the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). These certifications demonstrate expertise in the field of human resources and can be beneficial when applying for jobs or promotions.

9. Global Payroll Management Certificate Program

The Global Payroll Management Certificate Program is an online certification program designed to help individuals gain the skills and knowledge needed to manage payroll operations. It is offered by the American Payroll Association (APA).

The program consists of four courses, each of which can be completed in two weeks. The courses cover topics such as payroll fundamentals, tax compliance, payroll systems, and global payroll management. Participants must complete all four courses within a year in order to receive the certificate.

To get the certificate, participants must pass the APA’s Global Payroll Management Certification Exam with a score of 80% or higher. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost of the Global Payroll Management Certificate Program is $1,795. This fee covers access to all four courses and one attempt at the certification exam.

10. Certified Global Payroll Specialist (CGPS).

Certified Global Payroll Specialist (CGPS) is a certification program designed to provide payroll professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage global payroll operations. The program is offered by the American Payroll Association (APA) and provides a comprehensive understanding of global payroll regulations, compliance requirements, and best practices.

The CGPS certification requires candidates to complete four courses that cover topics such as international labor laws, taxation, and currency exchange. Candidates must also pass an exam in order to become certified. The entire program can be completed in approximately six months.

To get started on the CGPS certification program, applicants must first register with the APA and pay a registration fee of $250. After registering, applicants will receive access to online course materials which include video lectures, practice exams, and other resources. Once all four courses have been completed, applicants can take the final exam at an APA-approved testing center or online via a remote proctoring service.

The cost of the entire CGPS certification program is $1,200 for members of the APA or $1,400 for non-members. This cost includes registration fees as well as course materials and exam fees.

Do You Really Need a Payroll Consultant Certificate?

If you are considering a career in payroll consulting, the answer is yes. A payroll consultant certificate is an important credential that demonstrates your expertise and knowledge in the field of payroll and human resources. It serves as proof of your professional qualifications and shows employers that you are qualified to handle their payroll needs.

Having a payroll consultant certificate will help to make you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs in this field. Additionally, it can open up more opportunities for advancement within the organization. Employers often look for employees who have gone through specialized training or earned a certification in order to ensure they can perform the job correctly and efficiently.

Furthermore, if you plan to work with clients outside of your employer’s organization, having a payroll consultant certificate will give them confidence that you understand their specific payroll requirements and can provide accurate advice about their business’s finances. By demonstrating your knowledge and experience, it will be easier to attract new clients and build relationships with existing ones.

Overall, obtaining a payroll consultant certificate is an important step towards advancing your career in this field. It will give you an edge over other applicants when applying for jobs, increase your chances of promotion within an organization, and help build relationships with potential clients.

Related: Payroll Consultant Resume Examples

FAQs About Payroll Consultant Certifications

1. What is a payroll consultant certification?

Answer: A payroll consultant certification is an industry-recognized credential that shows employers that the individual has the necessary skills and knowledge to accurately process payroll for businesses.

2. What are the requirements for earning a payroll consultant certification?

Answer: Requirements vary depending on the certifying organization, but typically include passing an exam that covers topics such as payroll compliance, federal and state tax regulations, and record keeping.

3. How long does it take to get certified as a payroll consultant?

Answer: The length of time to obtain certification varies depending on the certifying organization, but most require at least one year of experience in payroll processing before taking an exam.

4. What types of organizations offer payroll consultant certifications?

Answer: Many professional organizations and educational institutions offer certifications in payroll consulting, including the American Payroll Association (APA), International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP), Payroll Management Institute (PMI), and Certified Payroll Professional (CPP).

5. Are there any continuing education requirements after obtaining a payroll consultant certification?

Answer: Yes, many certifying organizations require that certified professionals complete continuing education courses in order to maintain their credentials.