The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals

How does PQP work?

1. You as “the organisation” engage to PQP by completing a PQP engagement form

2. The CIPP’s PQP coordinator will send you a company information form to complete in preparation for a site visit with a PQP manager

3. A PQP manager will contact you to arrange the site visit. The visit will cover:

• Your current payroll processes and procedures, how they
• are documented and how they fit in with the PQP process
• The CIPP payroll management competence framework and diagnostic tool
• The CIPP PQP process framework - providing information and examples for each stage of the PQP process
• Compilation of a timeline for implementation and achievement of PQP accreditation

It is advisable that you have copies, or are able to provide access to copies of all your payroll documents and procedures for this meeting. It will be the only meeting that you will have with the PQP manager prior to a PQP assessor coming in for your assessment; the proposed timing for assessment will be agreed during this meeting.

4. Following the visit you will aim to implement any outstanding actions identified in line with the agreed timings. If you have any questions during the implementation stage of the PQP process then you will be able to contact the PQP coordinator.

5. During the implementation stage the PQP coordinator will make contact with you at any key stages identified

6. When all outstanding actions have been completed and you are ready for assessment a PQP assessor will contact you to arrange a date for an onsite assessment to take place. The PQP assessor will:

• Look for evidence that the PQP processes have been implemented for all payroll staff; this can be evidence through the system or through hard copy documentation
• Have one to one meetings with individual members of the payroll team
• Complete a report of their findings whilst onsite and then submit the report to the PQP assessment panel

The PQP assessment panel meets once a quarter in March, June, September and December.

7. Once accredited the PQP organisation will be awarded a PQP certificate and will have use of the PQP accredited logo for a period of two years, at which time they will have to go through a re-assessment process