13 Best Payroll Training Courses To Take In 2024

These best payroll training courses are a great way to learn from others who have their finger on the pulse of the payroll training practice. Here's a summary of each course to help you learn who it's for and why it's great.

Best Payroll Training Shortlist

Here's a shortlist of the best payroll training courses I think are worth your time in 2024:

1. Payroll Management Operations Training & Certification Program (HR Training Center)
2. Xero Payroll Training (The Knowledge Academy)
3. Human Resources Professional with Payroll Practice and Management (Clark College)
4. Paycheck Fundamentals Training & Certification Program (Payroll Training Center)
5. Payroll Practice and Management (BHCC)
6. Payroll Law (TrainUp)
7. Certified Payroll Administrator (HR Training Center)
8. Payroll and Tax Fundamentals (ADP)
9. Diploma in Effective Bookkeeping and Payroll (Workforce Academy Partnership)
10. Payroll Principles Course (Pitman Training)
11. Payroll Administration (OntarioLearn)
12. Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries (Udemy)
13. Payroll Course - United States (The Knowledge Academy)

Find more details about each course below.

Overview Of The Best Payroll Training

1. Payroll Management Operations Training & Certification Program (HR Training Center)

This certification program provides a comprehensive guide for handling payroll operations. It covers key administrative processes and helps develop skills for managing payroll compliance and related systems.

• Who It’s For: Payroll professionals seeking to enhance their management skills
• Topics Covered:
  • Compliance requirements
  • Hiring and managing payroll staff
  • Implementing payroll systems
  • Handling audits
  • Implement anti-fraud plans
  • Direct deposits and pay cards
  • Record-keeping obligations
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? No
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Price: $799 per order
• Take The Course: HR Training Center

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2. Xero Payroll Training (The Knowledge Academy)

This course focuses on teaching payroll management using the Xero accounting software. It helps learners understand how to process payroll, manage employee records, and handle compliance using Xero.

• Who It’s For: Payroll officers, HR professionals, accountants, bookkeepers, financial administrators, and HR managers
• Topics Covered:
  • Payroll tracking
  • Processing and reporting
  • Managing new starters and leavers
  • The software’s basics and interface
  • Set up a company
  • Manage transactions
  • Bank reconciliation
  • Manage payables and receivables
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Both
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 1 day
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Price: $1295 (enquire for package deals)
• Take The Course: The Knowledge Academy

3. Human Resources Professional with Payroll Practice and Management (Clark College)

This online course offers a comprehensive human resources and payroll management training blend. It prepares learners to handle HR functions and payroll administration, providing the foundation to pursue certifications like the PHR and Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).

• Who It’s For: Individuals seeking HR and payroll management skills
• Topics Covered:
  • Human resources fundamentals and best practices
  • Payroll administration and management
  • Recruitment, training, and performance appraisals
  • U.S. employment laws and OSHA regulations
  • Compensation and benefits strategies
  • Payroll tax calculations and compliance
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Internal Revenue Code
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 12 months
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements:
  • PC: Windows 8 or Mac: macOS 10.6 or Chromebook
  • Browser: latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox preferred; Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible
  • Adobe Acrobat reader: must be installed and fully operational
  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account
  • Basic computer knowledge
• Price: $3,740.00
• Take The Course: Clark College

4. Paycheck Fundamentals Training & Certification Program (Payroll Training Center)

This course provides essential training on correctly calculating, withholding, and reporting payroll taxes. It includes interactive content and examples to help learners navigate payroll compliance at their own pace.

• Who It’s For: Beginning and intermediate HR professionals
• Topics Covered:
  • Tax identification
  • Withholding and reporting
  • Federal unemployment taxes
  • Multi-state taxation
  • Follow recordkeeping requirements
  • Understand totalization agreements
  • Compute supplemental wages
  • Manage garnishments, sick pay, back pay, and bonuses
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? Yes
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Price: $799 per order
• Take The Course: Payroll Training Center

5. Payroll Practice and Management (BHCC)

This course provides detailed training on payroll operations, including compliance with federal regulations and tax laws. It prepares participants to handle complex payroll tasks and to sit for the Fundamental Payroll Certification exam by PayrollOrg.

• Who It’s For: Individuals seeking to learn payroll fundamentals
• Topics Covered:
  • Payroll fundamentals and compliance
  • Wage and tax calculations
  • Federal tax laws and regulations
  • Fringe benefits and compensation
  • Payroll reporting and recordkeeping
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? Yes
• Duration: 6 months
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements:
  • PC: Windows 8 or Mac: macOS 10.6 or Chromebook
  • Browser: latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox preferred; Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible
  • Adobe Acrobat reader: must be installed and fully operational
  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account
  • Prerequisites: Basic keyboarding, computer skills, use of a 4-function calculator, and familiarity with the Internet, email, and word processing (e.g., word)
• Price: $1,795.00
• Take The Course: BHCC

6. Payroll Law (TrainUp)

This course provides in-depth training on payroll law, focusing on compliance and legal requirements to ensure accurate payroll processing. Enroll to learn how to avoid legal issues related to employee classification and compensation.

• Who It’s For: Payroll professionals seeking to understand payroll regulations
• Topics Covered:
  • Legal fundamentals of payroll administration
  • FLSA regulations
  • Benefit administration
  • Special payroll circumstances
  • Maintaining audit-proof records
  • Fixing problem
  • Garnishments
  • Accuracy and compliance
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 1 day
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Price: $199
• Take The Course: TrainUp

7. Certified Payroll Administrator (HR Training Center)

This course provides detailed training for individuals aiming to become certified payroll professionals, focusing on payroll processing, tax compliance, and gross pay calculations. It equips learners with the knowledge required to manage payroll and meet regulatory requirements.

• Who It’s For: Individuals seeking comprehensive payroll administration training
• Topics Covered:
  • Compliance with federal and state regulations
  • Accurate payroll processing
  • Tax compliance
  • Record-keeping
  • Benefits administration
  • Garnishment
  • Retirement plan
  • Fringe benefit
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Both
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 32 hours
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Price: $1,995.00 per order
• Take The Course: HR Training Center

8. Payroll and Tax Fundamentals (ADP)

This course provides essential payroll and tax fundamentals training, focusing on processing employee pay and understanding tax obligations. It is designed to develop practical skills in managing payroll functions within a business environment.

• Who It’s For: Individuals seeking to understand payroll and tax fundamentals, including those new to the payroll industry
• Topics Covered:
  • Payroll calculations
  • Tax withholdings
  • Reporting requirements
  • Payment methods
  • Pay statement details
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 5 hours
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Take The Course: Coursera

9. Diploma in Effective Bookkeeping and Payroll (Workforce Academy Partnership)

This course provides bookkeeping principles and payroll management training, focusing on accurate financial record-keeping and payroll processes. It covers essential bookkeeping techniques and payroll calculations to manage a company's finances.

• Who It’s For: Individuals looking to enhance their bookkeeping and payroll skills
• Topics Covered:
  • Bookkeeping principles
  • Payroll taxes
  • Budgeting strategies
  • Subsidiary ledgers
  • Special journals
  • Internal controls
  • Sales tax
  • Partnerships and corporations
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 10 to 15 hours
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Price: Free
• Take The Course: Alison

10. Payroll Principles Course (Pitman Training)

This course covers the foundational principles of payroll processing, including key administrative tasks and compliance requirements. It is designed to help learners understand payroll management from the ground up, including employee data handling and statutory payments.

• Who It’s For: Individuals new to payroll processing
• Topics Covered:
  • Payroll fundamentals
  • Employee information
  • Statutory payments
  • Data protection
  • PAYE system
  • National insurance
  • Format and details of pay statements
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Both
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 4 hours
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements:
  • Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word
  • Good written and spoken English skills are helpful
• Take The Course: Pitman Training

11. Payroll Administration (OntarioLearn)

This course provides a detailed understanding of payroll administration, covering tasks like maintaining payroll records, managing deductions, and preparing essential reports. It also includes practical training in using computerized payroll systems for accurate processing.

• Who It’s For: Individuals seeking to learn payroll administration
• Topics Covered:
  • Maintaining payroll records
  • Handling various types of workers
  • Managing taxable benefits and deductions
  • Preparing payroll journal entries
  • Preparing T4s and T4 summaries
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 42 hours
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Price: $413.08
• Take The Course: George Brown College

12. Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries (Udemy)

This course provides detailed instructions on payroll accounting, focusing on payroll laws, calculations, and journal entries. It includes practical examples to help learners understand payroll tax withholdings, transactions, and form completion.

• Who It’s For: Individuals with a basic understanding of accounting principles, accounting professionals, HR professionals, small business owners, and bookkeepers
• Topics Covered:
  • Federal payroll laws
  • Regular and overtime pay calculations
  • Social security and medicare contributions
  • Federal income tax withholdings
  • Payroll journal entries
  • Solving payroll problems
  • Terms and concepts
  • Analyze deductions and implications
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 22 hours and 30 minutes
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements:
  • Basic accounting knowledge
  • Familiarity with financial statements and the general ledger
  • Basic math skills
• Price: $84.99
• Take The Course: Udemy

13. Payroll Course - United States (The Knowledge Academy)

This course provides a foundational understanding of payroll processes, focusing on essential tasks like calculating pay, managing deductions, and ensuring compliance with payroll regulations. It is designed to teach the basics of payroll administration in the U.S. context.

• Who It’s For: Individuals new to payroll processing, payroll administrators, office managers, small business owners, and HR professionals
• Topics Covered:
  • Payroll principles
  • Payroll practices
  • Tax codes and tables
  • Statutory sick pay
  • Statutory maternity
  • Pensions and student loans
  • Reports and record-keeping
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Both
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 1 day
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Price: $1295 (enquire for package deals)
• Take The Course: The Knowledge Academy

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