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Payroll certifications are valuable for HR professionals looking to enhance their expertise in payroll management and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards. 

I've summarized the best payroll certifications with notes about who and what each is best for so you can find the right one for the next step in your career.

Best Payroll Certifications Shortlist

  1. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP™) — Best for understanding payroll regulations in the Philippines
  2. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) — Best for U.S. payroll management expertise
  3. Payroll Specialist Certificate — Best for U.K. payroll practices
  4. Certified Payroll Manager — Best for leadership roles in payroll
  5. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) and Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) Program — Best for comprehensive U.S. payroll education
  6. Certified Payroll Professional — Best for extensive payroll knowledge
  7. Certified Payroll Specialist (CPS) — Best for bookkeeping and payroll integration
  8. Payroll/PayTrain Certificate (FPC/CPP) — Best for preparatory payroll studies
  9. Payroll Certification — Best for basic payroll principles
  10. Payroll Certification — Best for continuing payroll education
  11. Certified Payroll Specialist — Best for ADP Workforce Now proficiency

Overview of the Best Payroll Certifications

Below are my detailed summaries of the best payroll certifications on my shortlist.

 1. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP™) - Best for understanding payroll regulations in the Philippines 

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP™) landing page
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP™)

This certification helps you gain essential knowledge in payroll, labor laws, taxes, and audits, ensuring you're ready to manage payroll effectively and comply with regulations. It's perfect for payroll staff, accountants, HR professionals, or anyone who wants to learn the best payroll practices. It also provides the advantage of being affiliated with CIPP UK and access to helpful study resources.  

Issued by: National Institute of Accounting Technicians (NIAT)

Focus:

  • Payroll concepts
  • Labor laws
  • Taxation
  • Audit procedures

Prerequisites:

  • Education: No formal education requirements
  • Work Experience: Not required

Renewability: No

Who It’s For: Individuals pursuing payroll careers in the Philippines, validating their expertise in local regulations and practices.

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2. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) - Best for U.S. payroll management expertise

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) landing page
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)

This certification is a valuable credential for payroll professionals who want to improve their skills in managing payroll. It covers important topics like payroll processing, compliance with laws, reporting, and helping professionals stay updated with U.S. regulations. Earning this certification shows you are highly skilled and dedicated to payroll.

Issued by: PayrollOrg

Focus:

  • Payroll processing
  • Compliance with U.S. payroll regulations
  • Payroll reporting and documentation

Prerequisites:

  • Education: No formal education requirements
  • Work Experience: Not required
  • Exam: Yes

Renewability: Yes, it is renewable. Recertification can be achieved through continuing education credits or by retaking the exam if continuing education requirements are not met.

Who It’s For: Payroll professionals seeking career advancement and expertise in payroll management.

3. Payroll Specialist Certificate - Best for U.K. payroll practices

Payroll Specialist Certificate overview
Payroll Specialist Certificate

This certification is an online qualification recognized by Ofqual, and offered by the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP). It is designed for people in payroll, HR, or finance, and teaches advanced payroll laws and responsibilities. Completing this certification shows you have a strong understanding of managing complex payroll situations.

Issued by: Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP)

Focus:

  • Advanced payroll legislation
  • Contractual obligations
  • National minimum wage
  • National insurance contributions
  • Income tax deductions
  • Benefits and expenses
  • Child-related statutory payments
  • Payroll administration

Prerequisites:

  • Education:
    • Proficiency in Maths and English at level 2
    • Must have completed PTCA, PTC, L3 Payroll Administrator Apprenticeship, Payroll Centre L3 Payroll Techniques
  • Work Experience: Preferably some payroll experience

Price: 

  • Course fee: £2,645 + VAT
  • Assessment resit fee: £75 + VAT
  • Assessment retake fee: £15  0 + VAT (for third attempts at assessment only)
  • Course deferral fee: £150 + VAT

Who It’s For: Professionals looking to enhance their payroll expertise and manage complex payroll scenarios.

4. Certified Payroll Manager - Best for leadership roles in payroll

Certified Payroll Manager landing page
Certified Payroll Manager

This certification is for HR and payroll professionals who want to master managing payroll rules and compliance at both the federal and state levels. It covers payroll processes, tax rules, employee compensation, and other important topics, with practical examples and interactive learning. After completing the course and passing the exam, participants earn the "Certified Payroll Manager" title and gain access to additional training courses.

Issued by: HRcertification.com

Focus:

  • Payroll tax rules
  • Employee compensation
  • Deductions
  • Payroll forms
  • Year-end processes
  • Auditing

Prerequisites:

  • Education: No formal education requirements
  • Work Experience: Not required
  • Exam: Yes
  • Other Certifications Required: Not required

Renewability: Yes

Price: $1,995, with discounts available for bulk purchases

Who It’s For: Ideal for HR and payroll professionals aiming for leadership roles and improving payroll compliance and management skills.

5. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) and Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) Program - Best for comprehensive U.S. payroll education

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) and Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) Program overview
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) and Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) Program

This certification program prepares individuals for the FPC and CPP exams by teaching essential payroll management skills. It covers topics like pay, deductions, fringe benefits, and payroll reporting, helping participants handle complex payroll tasks. The program is held over six Saturdays, offering flexibility, and participants receive a certificate of completion.

Issued by: University of La Verne

Focus:

  • Calculations of pay and deductions
  • Fringe benefits
  • Retirement plans
  • Payroll reporting
  • International payments

Prerequisites:

  • Education: No formal education requirements
  • Work Experience: Not required
  • Exam: Yes
  • Other Certifications Required: Not required

Renewability: Yes

Price: $2,999

Who It’s For: Ideal for payroll professionals looking to advance their careers, boost their knowledge, and increase earning potential.

6. Certified Payroll Professional - Best for extensive payroll knowledge

Certified Payroll Professional landing page
Certified Payroll Professional

This certification is for experienced payroll professionals who want to deepen their knowledge and prepare for the CPP certification exam. The program covers advanced payroll topics through in-class lessons, workbooks, and online resources. It helps participants improve their skills and advance their careers in the payroll industry.

Issued by: Collin College

Focus:

  • Advanced payroll topics
  • Preparation for the CPP exam
  • In-class instruction
  • Interactive online resources

Prerequisites:

  • Education: No formal education requirements
  • Work Experience: At least three years of payroll experience
  • Exam: Yes
  • Other Certifications Required: Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or equivalent experience

Renewability: Yes

Who It’s For: Payroll professionals looking to validate their expertise and boost career opportunities in payroll management.

7. Certified Payroll Specialist (CPS) - Best for bookkeeping and payroll integration

Certified Payroll Specialist (CPS) overview
Certified Payroll Specialist (CPS)

This certification is for payroll professionals who want to showcase their expertise in payroll management and QuickBooks online, especially for small businesses. It helps build credibility, confirms knowledge, and demonstrates a commitment to professional ethics. Earning this certification sets you apart in the payroll field.

Issued by: National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB)

Focus:

  • Payroll practices
  • Gross pay computations
  • Employer payroll taxes
  • QuickBooks Online

Prerequisites:

  • Education: Completion of Payroll and QuickBooks Online certifications
  • Work Experience: At least one year of payroll experience
  • Exam: Yes

Renewability: Yes

Price:

  • Member: $638 (with eTextbook)
  • Pro Member: $798 (with eTextbook)

Who It’s For: Ideal for payroll professionals looking to boost career prospects and validate their expertise in payroll and bookkeeping for small businesses.

8. Payroll/PayTrain Certificate (FPC/CPP) - Best for preparatory payroll studies

Payroll/PayTrain Certificate (FPC/CPP) landing page
Payroll/PayTrain Certificate (FPC/CPP)

This certification offers training for payroll professionals at two levels: Level I covers basic payroll calculations and compliance, while Level II focuses on advanced topics for experienced payroll managers. It helps prepare participants for the CPP and FPC exams and provides a certificate of completion. Scholarships and payment plans may be available, but the program doesn’t qualify for Federal Financial Aid.

Issued by: Cuyahoga Community College

Focus:

  • Fundamental payroll calculations
  • Payroll compliance
  • Advanced payroll management

Prerequisites:

  • Education: No formal education requirements
  • Work Experience: Must have spent at least 3 of the last 5 years working in the payroll profession
  • Exam: Yes
  • Other Certifications Required: Not required

Who It’s For: Individuals seeking both basic and advanced payroll knowledge, preparing them for the FPC and CPP examinations.

9. Payroll Certification - Best for basic payroll principles

Payroll Certification overview
Payroll Certification

This certification helps validate your knowledge of payroll and sets you apart in the job market. To earn it, you need to complete the Payroll Fundamentals course and pass the exam with at least a 75%. The payroll certification exam covers payroll practices, gross pay calculations, and employer payroll taxes.

Issued by: National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB)

Focus:

  • Payroll practices
  • Gross pay computations
  • Employer payroll taxes

Prerequisites:

  • Education: Completion of the Payroll Fundamentals course
  • Exam: Yes
  • Other Certifications Required: Not required

Price:

  • $80 for members
  • $100 for non-members
  • Bundle discounts available for both members and non-members

Who It’s For: Ideal for individuals wanting to validate their payroll knowledge and stand out in the job market.

10. Payroll Certification - Best for continuing payroll education

Payroll Certification landing page
Payroll Certification

This certification helps professionals gain skills in payroll processing, focusing on compliance, reporting, and key payroll management tasks. It provides a structured learning path to improve payroll expertise and ensure accurate operations. Completing this certification prepares you to manage payroll effectively and efficiently.

Issued by: MY-CPE

Focus:

  • Payroll compliance
  • Reporting
  • Payroll processing skills

Prerequisites:

  • Education: No formal education requirements
  • Work Experience: Not required
  • Exam: Yes

Price: $199

Who It’s For: This certification is ideal for professionals seeking to broaden their knowledge in payroll processing and compliance, ensuring they remain up-to-date with industry standards and enhance their career opportunities in payroll management.

11. Certified Payroll Specialist - Best for ADP Workforce Now proficiency

Certified Payroll Specialist landing page
Certified Payroll Specialist

This certification is designed for individuals who use ADP Workforce Now and want to improve their skills with this payroll system. The program includes a 12-week course with self-paced study, virtual lessons, and optional office hours. It prepares you for both a practice exam and a final certification exam with 75 multiple-choice questions covering key payroll topics.

Issued by: ADP

Focus:

  • Company setup
  • Payroll cycles
  • Employee maintenance

Prerequisites:

  • Education: No formal education requirements
  • Work Experience: At least six months of experience using ADP Workforce Now
  • Exam: Yes

Price: $595

Who It’s For: Ideal for individuals looking to validate their skills in using ADP Workforce Now and enhance their payroll management expertise.

FAQs about Payroll Certifications

Other Useful Resources

Here are a few other useful resources to check out:

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Finn Bartram

Finn is an editor at People Managing People. He's passionate about growing organizations where people are empowered to continuously improve and genuinely enjoy coming to work. If not at his desk, you can find him playing sports or enjoying the great outdoors.