This online payroll technician course offers a qualification allowing individuals to develop and formalise payroll knowledge and skills. Whilst studying for the payroll certificate at home, students progress to applying complex legislation and contractual obligations to enable accurate administration of payroll services. As a first step to becoming a certified payroll professional, it offers progression to higher payroll qualifications such as our Payroll Specialist Certificate.
Download your business case to get funding for this qualification.
Who is this qualification aimed at and why you should invest?
Who is this qualification aimed at?
Payroll administrators, payroll coordinators and payroll officers who work in a payroll bureau, accountancy firm or in-house payroll team will benefit from this industry-recognised qualification.
This course is also suitable for HR and finance professionals who have assumed responsibility for the payroll department but need a hands-on comprehension of how payroll figures and forms are produced.
A payroll technician's job is to ensure the accuracy of payroll calculations and provide and maintain detailed information for specific payroll functions. You can learn much more about the role by completing our certificate.
Why should you invest in this qualification?
Having fully trained payroll administrators is vital for organisations to ensure they remain compliant with the increasing amount of regulations and legislation which impacts on the day to day running of the payroll department.
Designed for those new to payroll, or those who wish to improve their working knowledge of payroll processes, this qualification covers the core skills required to administer the payroll function. From calculating gross pay and identifying the differences between taxable and NICable pay, the course covers in-depth the methodologies for the manual calculation of PAYE income tax, NICs, student loan deductions and statutory payments.
Each module offers comprehensive learning materials; links to a range of external material; and knowledge tests associated with these topics. The key subject matter is further enriched with digital online learning tutorials as well as interactive scenario-based exercises, which enable students to apply their new-found knowledge and skills through realistic scenarios. This variety of learning mediums provides a complete developmental experience which enhances ready application in the workplace, to the benefit of student and employer alike.
On completion of this course, you will have the knowledge required to enable you to efficiently and accurately handle the variety of issues encountered when processing payrolls.
Content
Unit 1 - Gross Pay, Minimum Wage, and National Insurance Calculations
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Gross income payable
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Apportionment of salary
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Lawful deductions from pay
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Minimum wage rates
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Eligibility requirements
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Compliance responsibilities
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Penalties for non-compliance
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Common NI category letters
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NI Rates and thresholds
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Calculating NICable earnings
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Calculating NICs using exact percentage method
Unit 2 - Taxable Pay and Income Tax calculations
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Purpose and function of tax codes
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Starter and leaver documentation
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Calculating taxable pay
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Calculating income tax using tables A and tables B to D
Unit 3 - Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Calculations and Administration
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Factors affecting entitlement to SSP
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Determining eligibility to SSP
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Calculating SSP
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Record-keeping requirements
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Compliance
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Arbitration considerations
Unit 4 - Child-related Statutory Payment Calculations and Administration
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Determining eligibility to statutory child-related leave (maternity, adoption, paternity)
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Determining eligibility to statutory child-related pay (maternity, adoption, paternity)
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Calculating statutory child-related pay (maternity, adoption, paternity)
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Record-keeping requirements
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Entitlement to family leave and time off for dependants
Unit 5 - Administering Statutory Deductions and Additional Payroll Obligations
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Student loan repayment plans and thresholds
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Calculating student loan deductions
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Deductions for attachment orders
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PAYE reporting and remittances
Entry requirements
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Applicants must be aged 16 or over and must hold an active membership of Affiliate Student level or above with the CIPP for the duration of their study. If you are not currently a member, please contact [email protected] to join without incurring the registration fee.
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Proficient in Maths and English to L2 (GCSE).
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Preferable but not essential, should be working in a payroll environment or have responsibility for a payroll function.
Delivery
Online delivery
The online qualification is delivered through our online learning platform permitting students a more flexible study pattern. Students will work through a series of interactive activities and quizzes supported by detailed study material. They may track their understanding through undertaking knowledge-check assessments before progressing to the next section. The qualification concludes with a two-part assessment comprising of a timed question-based test. PLEASE NOTE: From April 2024 the second part of this assessment will change from scenario-based exercises to a timetabled online examination invigilated through remote proctoring to demonstrate competence with manual calculations.
Successful completion of this qualification demonstrates competency and understanding of payroll administration and is also representative of the work students undertake in real-life payroll administration.
Payroll Technician Certificate - ONLINE DELIVERY
Member and non-member rate: £1,645 + VAT*
Price includes:
- Online provision through the CIPPs student website
- Allocation of a tutor to support you through your studies
Prices valid until 30 June and reviewed annually.
Examination assessments are remote proctored.
Fees & timetables
Fees
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Course Fee: £1,695 + VAT
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Assessment resit fee: £75 + VAT
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Course deferral fee: £150 + VAT
Timetable
June 2026-27