Payroll is often a part of HR work, particularly if you're working for a startup or small business, but it's not area a lot of HR professionals have a ton of experience in or a deep passion for. Luckily, these days payroll software does most of the work for you anyhow, but you still need to know how to make the most of these tools.
As part of course roundup series, I've been looking at payroll software training for HR professionals and have developed a list to help you learn more about payroll technology.
Best Payroll Software Training Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best payroll software training I think are worth your time in 2024:
- Certified Payroll Specialist in ADP Workforce Now (ADP)
- QuickBooks Online Payroll (Intuit Quickbooks)
- Access Payroll Software Training (Access)
- Complete Payroll Management in Excel & TALLY ERP9 & TallyPrime (Udemy)
- Sage 50 Payroll Software Course (Alison)
- Payroll Accounting With Visually Effective Excel Dashboards (Udemy)
- Payroll Management using ChatGPT on Excel from scratch (Udemy)
- Comprehensive Guide to Xero Accounting (Alison)
- Sage Payroll Certification (Micropay)
- Zoho Payroll Online Training Course (Zoho)
- NetSuite SuitePeople Payroll Essentials (NetSuite)
- Payroll Specialist Fundamentals (Intuit Quickbooks)
- PeopleSoft Payroll - US Rel 9.2 (Oracle University)
- Master in Automated Payroll Accounting in Microsoft Excel (Udemy)
- SAP Certified Associate - SAP HCM Payroll for SAP S/4HANA (SAP)
Find more details about each training below.
Overview Of The Best Payroll Software Training
1. Certified Payroll Specialist in ADP Workforce Now (ADP)

This certification course focuses on mastering payroll functions within ADP Workforce Now. It offers detailed instruction on payroll operations, including managing gross pay calculations, ensuring payroll accuracy through the ADP platform.
Participants will gain the skills necessary to handle payroll tasks efficiently and confidently, preparing them for the certification exam. The course also provides on-demand access to resources, allowing learners to study at their own pace.
- Who It’s For: Payroll administrators, HR professionals, and finance team members
- Topics Covered:
- Payroll configuration and setup
- Managing employee payroll data
- Tax compliance and filings
- Year-end processing and reports
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 12 weeks
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 1-2 hours a week
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a current ADP client practitioner in the WorkForce Now Product
- A minimum of 6 months in the product
- Have gone through one full year-end cycle
- Price: $595
- Take The Course: ADP
2. QuickBooks Online Payroll (Intuit Quickbooks)

This course provides in-depth training on using QuickBooks Online Payroll to manage payroll operations effectively. It guides users through the setup, payroll processing, and ensuring all payroll activities are accurately completed within the QuickBooks Online platform.
- Who It’s For: Accountants, bookkeepers, and payroll professionals using QuickBooks Online
- Topics Covered:
- Setting up QuickBooks Online Payroll
- Managing tax filings and deductions
- Generating payroll reports
- Year-end payroll processing
- 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: Intuit Quickbooks
3. Payroll Software Training (Access)

The Access Payroll Software Training online course provides comprehensive guidance on effectively managing payroll using the Access Payroll system. Participants learn how to navigate the software to ensure accurate and compliant payroll management, including handling paycards and adhering to IRS requirements.
Practical exercises cover real-world payroll scenarios, disaster recovery, and payroll data formats, preparing participants to become a certified payroll administrator.
- Who It’s For: Payroll managers, HR professionals, and accountants
- Topics Covered:
- Payroll setup and configuration
- Client management
- Compliance and tax obligations
- Year-end payroll procedures
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Take The Course: Access
4. Complete Payroll Management in Excel & TALLY ERP9 & TallyPrime (Udemy)

This course offers practical training on managing payroll using Microsoft Excel, TALLY ERP9, and TallyPrime. It provides step-by-step guidance on how to efficiently handle payroll yourself with these tools.
Learners gain hands-on experience in payroll management, ensuring accuracy and compliance in real-world scenarios.
- Who It’s For: Accountants, HR professionals, and payroll administrators
- Topics Covered:
- Payroll management in Excel
- Processing salary and statutory compliance
- TallyPrime
- TALLY ERP9
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 6 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $64.99
- Take The Course: Udemy
5. Sage 50 Payroll Software Course (Alison)

This payroll training course provides a detailed introduction to using Sage 50 Payroll software for managing payroll operations. Participants will learn to navigate the software, set up employee data, and manage tax withholding and social security, ensuring accurate payroll functions.
It equips users with the skills needed for efficient payroll tasks and supports HRCI certification preparation.
- Who It’s For: Small business owners, HR professionals, and administrative staff
- Topics Covered:
- Employee records setup
- Payroll processing
- Compliance
- Handling holiday pay and statutory payments
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: Free
- Take The Course: Alison
6. Payroll Accounting With Visually Effective Excel Dashboards (Udemy)

This entry-level course teaches how to manage payroll accounting using Microsoft Excel and create visually engaging dashboards. It covers payroll rules, practical techniques, and automation of calculations.
Participants will also learn how to present payroll data professionally. This payroll training is ideal for those looking to streamline processes for running payroll using Excel.
- Who It’s For: Accountants, payroll managers, and HR professionals
- Topics Covered:
- Payroll accounting fundamentals
- Excel dashboards
- Payroll Calculations Automation
- Designing visually effective reports
- Handling tax deductions and contributions
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 5.5 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $59.99
- Take The Course: Udemy
7. Payroll Management using ChatGPT on Excel from scratch (Udemy)

The course focuses on payroll integration with ChatGPT, using real-world examples.
This course covers how to manage payroll using Excel, leveraging ChatGPT to streamline processes and calculations. It walks participants through automating payroll tasks from the ground up, integrating AI tools to simplify payroll management.
- Who It’s For: HR managers, accountants, accounting students, and business owners
- Topics Covered:
- Setting up payroll systems in Excel
- Automating payroll processes with ChatGPT
- Handling payroll deductions and contributions
- Creating comprehensive payroll reports
- Using AI for payroll calculations
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 4 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $19.99
- Take The Course: Udemy
8. Comprehensive Guide to Xero Accounting (Alison)

This course provides an in-depth walkthrough of Xero Accounting software, covering the essential features and tools needed to manage business finances.
Participants will learn how to navigate Xero's interface, perform key accounting tasks, and generate financial reports efficiently. The course is designed to help users understand Xero’s functionality in a practical business setting.
- Who It’s For: Small business owners, accountants, and financial managers
- Topics Covered:
- Setting up Xero for your business
- Managing invoices, bills, and expenses
- Bank reconciliation in Xero
- Generating financial reports
- Tracking taxes and compliance
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: Free
- Take The Course: Alison
9. Sage Payroll Certification (Micropay)

This course offers certification in Sage Payroll, covering both basic and advanced payroll functionalities using the Micropay software. It provides step-by-step instructions for accurate payroll processing, managing retirement plans, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Participants can access webinars for ongoing learning and re-certification. Completing the course awards a recognized certification in Sage Payroll.
- Who It’s For: Payroll managers, HR professionals, and finance staff
- Topics Covered:
- Payroll setup in Sage Micropay
- Processing employee salaries and wages
- Handling tax, pensions, and deductions
- Generating compliance reports
- Year-end processing and reporting
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Both
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 6 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: Visit their website for more details
- Take The Course: Sage
10. Zoho Payroll Online Training Course (Zoho)

This course provides detailed guidance on using Zoho Payroll to streamline payroll tasks and ensure accurate processing. Participants will learn how to manage payroll operations effectively, with a focus on improving efficiency and compliance.
- Who It’s For: HR professionals, payroll managers, finance staff, and accountants
- Topics Covered:
- Setting up Zoho Payroll
- Automating payroll processes
- Managing employee compensation and deductions
- Generating payroll reports
- Ensuring compliance with tax regulations
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 6 hours for Advanced, 4 hours for Basic
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 2 hours per day
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Take The Course: Zoho
11. NetSuite SuitePeople Payroll Essentials (NetSuite)

This course provides specialized training on using NetSuite's SuitePeople Payroll, equipping participants with the tools to manage payroll efficiently within the NetSuite environment.
It focuses on optimizing payroll workflows and ensuring smooth payroll operations through NetSuite’s integrated platform. The training includes practical examples to help users navigate and utilize the software effectively.
- Who It’s For: Payroll administrator, payroll manager, and payroll processors
- Topics Covered:
- Setting up payroll in SuitePeople
- Managing employee pay and deductions
- Payroll compliance and tax filing
- Generating payroll reports
- Year-end processing in NetSuite
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? Yes
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Prior completion or the equivalent knowledge of ERP
- Course participants should be familiar with NetSuite navigation and features
- Take The Course: NetSuite
12. Payroll Specialist Fundamentals (Intuit Quickbooks)

This self-paced course provides in-depth training on managing payroll within QuickBooks, covering the entire payroll lifecycle. Participants will learn how to accurately set up and maintain payroll, handle employee compensation, and ensure all financial obligations are met.
The course equips users with the skills to confidently manage payroll operations from start to finish.
- Who It’s For: Accountants, payroll specialists, and small business owners
- Topics Covered:
- Payroll setup in QuickBooks
- Processing payroll
- Managing employee pay and deductions
- Payroll tax compliance
- Generating payroll reports
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Take The Course: Intuit Quickbooks
13. PeopleSoft Payroll - US Rel 9.2 (Oracle University)

This course provides a comprehensive overview of PeopleSoft Payroll for the U.S., focusing on efficiently handling payroll processes within the system. Participants will learn how to set up and maintain accurate employee payroll information, execute payroll tasks, and resolve payroll-related challenges using PeopleSoft’s tools.
The training ensures familiarity with compliance requirements and streamlines payroll management operations.
- Who It’s For: Payroll administrators, HR professionals, and finance teams
- Topics Covered:
- Setting up PeopleSoft Payroll
- Managing payroll data and records
- Process on-cycle and off-cycle payrolls
- Handling tax and deductions compliance
- Payroll troubleshooting and reporting
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Knowledge of Benefits foundation tables
- Knowledge of employee level data for HR and Benefits
- Ability to run reports
- Knowledge of Human Resources foundation tables
- Take The Course: Oracle University
14. Master in Automated Payroll Accounting in Microsoft Excel (Udemy)

This course focuses on teaching participants how to efficiently manage payroll accounting using Microsoft Excel. It guides users through automating key payroll functions, ensuring streamlined calculations and accurate record-keeping.
The course is designed to enhance Excel skills while making payroll management easier and more efficient.
- Who It’s For: Accountants, payroll managers, and HR professionals
- Topics Covered:
- Setting up payroll templates in Excel
- Automating payroll calculations
- Managing employee payroll data
- Creating payroll reports and summaries
- Handling deductions and tax calculations
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 7 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $59.99
- Take The Course: Udemy
15. SAP Certified Associate - SAP HCM Payroll for SAP S/4HANA (SAP)

This course prepares individuals for certification in SAP HCM Payroll for SAP S/4HANA. It offers hands-on experience and detailed training on how to effectively use SAP’s payroll system within the S/4HANA environment.
Participants will gain expertise in executing and managing payroll operations, focusing on audits, paychecks, and compliance with payroll standards. This certification program ensures individuals are equipped to handle all aspects of payroll processing with accuracy and efficiency.
- Who It’s For: R professionals, SAP consultants, and payroll administrators
- Topics Covered:
- Payroll fundamentals in SAP S/4HANA
- Payroll configuration and setup
- Managing payroll processes
- Tax calculations and compliance
- Payroll reporting and year-end processes
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Take The Course: SAP
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