Master Payroll Accounting in Just One Month
Comprehensive training in payroll systems, time tracking, deductions, taxes, benefits, compliance, and recordkeeping. Start your career as a payroll professional today.
Build a Career in High Demand
Every organisation needs payroll professionals. This diploma gives you the practical skills to manage employee compensation, deductions, taxes, and compliance – opening doors to roles in HR, finance, and accounting departments worldwide.
What You Will Learn
- Create and maintain a complete payroll system from scratch
- Accumulate and calculate time worked, including overtime and special pay
- Implement payroll procedures, internal controls, and best practices
- Process payroll deductions (taxes, benefits, garnishments) and remittances
- Prepare payroll journal entries and reconcile payroll accounts
- Understand unemployment insurance, payroll‑related laws, and government forms
- Evaluate outsourcing options and handle international payroll issues
18 Comprehensive Modules
From setting up a payroll system to international payroll issues – every aspect covered.
Module 1: Creating a Payroll System
Design and implement a complete payroll system, including employee records, pay policies, and processing schedules.
Module 2: Accumulating Time Worked
Track regular hours, overtime, shift differentials, and paid time off using timesheets and electronic systems.
Module 3: Payroll Procedures and Controls
Standard operating procedures, segregation of duties, approval workflows, and internal control frameworks.
Module 4: Payroll Best Practices
Industry benchmarks for efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and cost reduction in payroll processing.
Module 5: Payroll Measurements and Internal Reports
Key performance indicators, payroll dashboards, and internal reporting for management.
Module 6: Compensation
Salary structures, hourly wages, commissions, bonuses, and other forms of employee pay.
Module 7: Payroll Deductions
Statutory deductions (taxes, social security), voluntary deductions (benefits, retirement), and garnishments.
Module 8: Payroll Taxes and Remittances
Calculate employer and employee taxes, filing deadlines, and remittance procedures.
Module 9: Benefits
Health insurance, retirement plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits.
Module 10: Payments to Employees
Payroll distribution methods (direct deposit, cheques, pay cards), pay stubs, and year‑end tax forms.
Module 11: Unemployment Insurance
State/federal unemployment taxes, claims management, and experience rating systems.
Module 12: Payroll Recordkeeping
Legal retention requirements, digital vs physical records, and audit‑ready documentation.
Module 13: Payroll Journal Entries
Record payroll expenses, liabilities, and payments in the general ledger; reconciliation.
Module 14: Payroll-Related Laws
FLSA, minimum wage, overtime rules, equal pay acts, and other labour regulations.
Module 15: Outsourcing Payroll
Evaluate payroll service providers, PEOs, and software‑as‑a‑service (SaaS) solutions.
Module 16: International Payroll Issues
Cross‑border payroll, currency conversion, expatriate taxation, and global compliance.
Module 17: Setting Up the Payroll Department
Staffing, technology selection, policies, and workflow design for a new payroll function.
Module 18: Government Payroll Publications and Forms
W‑2, 1099, 941, 940, state withholding forms, and agency guidance documents.
Recommended Textbooks & Guides
Essential reading to support your learning throughout the diploma.
Payroll Accounting (2024 Edition)
Bernard J. Bieg & Judith A. Toland – Comprehensive coverage of US payroll.
Payroll Management
Steven M. Bragg – Practical guide to procedures, controls, and best practices.
Fundamentals of Payroll
American Payroll Association – Core knowledge for payroll certification (FPC).
Payroll Source (APA)
American Payroll Association – The official study guide for CPP exam.
International Payroll Management
Global Payroll Management Institute – Cross‑border payroll issues.
Payroll Law & Compliance
Michael P. O'Toole – Legal aspects of payroll administration.
Hands‑On Payroll Training
Apply theory to real‑world scenarios through exercises, case studies, and simulations.
Payroll Calculations
Gross pay, overtime, deductions, net pay, and tax withholding exercises.
Form Preparation
Complete W‑2, 941, and state unemployment forms using sample data.
Journal Entries
Record payroll transactions in ledgers and prepare reconciliation reports.
Time Tracking Simulation
Calculate pay for various time‑tracking scenarios (hourly, salary, overtime).
Compliance Case Studies
Analyse real‑world payroll law violations and propose corrective actions.
International Payroll Project
Handle a cross‑border payroll scenario with multiple currencies and tax regimes.
Final Capstone Project — End‑to‑End Payroll Management
Apply all 18 modules to a comprehensive payroll case study. You will receive:
- A fictional company with 25 employees (hourly, salaried, overtime, commissions)
- Time sheets, benefit elections, and deduction authorisations
- Instructions to set up a payroll system, calculate a full payroll cycle, and prepare payslips
- Prepare payroll journal entries and reconcile payroll accounts
- Complete government forms (941, W‑2, state withholding)
- Analyse internal controls and recommend best practices
- Evaluate whether to outsource payroll and prepare a recommendation report
Submit your Excel payroll workbook, completed forms, and written report to receive the Foundation Diploma in Payroll Accounting.
Your Future in Payroll & HR
Graduates of the Foundation Diploma can pursue roles such as:
Payroll Specialist
Process payroll and ensure accuracy of deductions.
Payroll Administrator
Manage payroll systems and employee records.
Payroll Analyst
Analyse payroll data and prepare internal reports.
Compliance Officer
Ensure adherence to payroll laws and regulations.
HR Generalist
Handle payroll as part of human resources functions.
Payroll Consultant
Advise businesses on payroll systems and best practices.
What Our Payroll Graduates Say
Join hundreds of professionals who have launched payroll careers with this diploma.
Ready to Become a Payroll Professional?
Enrol in the Foundation Diploma in Payroll Accounting today – complete in just 1 month.