Learn Payroll Procedures and Skills Online
Payroll processing is among the most technical and precise operations in any business or organization. It requires acute attention to detail, compliance with regulations, and dedication to keeping the organization’s promises to its employees. This 100% online course will teach you the best practices and procedures for managing and administrating payroll operations.
Kevin Feeley
BS in Electrical Engineering
HVCC Class of 2005
Job Outlook for Payroll Managers
- According to employment experts at Robert Half, payroll administrators earn on average $40,250 per year. Salary for payroll managers and supervisors often exceeds $75,000 per year.
- As organizations outsource human resources functions such as payroll processing, payroll managers can expect to encounter opportunities for contract and remote work. A recent Indeed.com search resulted in over 1,000 remote jobs for payroll administration.
- As part of the growing human resource (HR) domain, payroll managers are expected to participate in 7% job growth for the HR field, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Online Payroll Practice and Management Course FAQs
Payroll processors make sure employees are paid on time and at the correct rate. They arrange to withhold and process payroll-related taxes and other expenses such as insurance or retirement savings. And they resolve pay issues and inquiries. Payroll managers keep an organization in compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations and ensure that all payroll reporting is timely and accurate.
Payroll professionals need excellent organizational skills and a commitment to precision. They must be able to work on many tasks simultaneously and handle the pressure of administrating another employee’s pay. They must be adept with numbers and technology, as payroll is generally processed using a computer program or online application. They must be scrupulously reliable and trustworthy.
Yes, many organizations hire entry-level employees to track and tabulate hourly pay and overtime, manage enrollments for benefits, and handle the bookkeeping procedures required by payroll.
Payroll-related titles may include payroll clerk, payroll administrator, time and attendance administrator, payroll specialist, payroll accountant, payroll manager, payroll supervisor, and many others.
Online Payroll Practice and Management Course Objectives
- Master the mathematics and formulas for calculating wages and taxes
- Learn the benefits and compensation programs commonly offered by employers
- Understand the regulations governing payroll practices, including the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the Internal Revenue Code
Prerequisites and Requirements
There are no specific prerequisites for taking this course.
You have 6 months of access to this course.
Curriculum
- Introduction to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
History, amendments, and coverage provided by the FLSA; overview of jurisdictions, audits, and penalties when not abiding by FLSA guidance
- Classification of Workers
How employees are categorized and protected under the FLSA
- White Collar Examptions
Understanding the differences between exempt/nonexempt employees and how they are compensated
- Calculating Gross Pay
Overview of the Rule of Constructive Receipt; calculating minimum wage, pay deductions, hours worked, and overtime
- Specialized Payrolls , Employees, or Regulations
Regulations effecting public sector and hospital employees; Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), Davis-Bacon Act, Walsh-Healey Act, and McNamara-O'Hara Service
- State Work and Hour Law
Relevant areas of law; state listings
- Federal Income Tax
Definition of federal taxation; EIN and Form SS-4, FICA taxes, and Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA)
- State Taxes
Types of taxes, including multi-state taxation; state tax chart
- Employee Withholding Allowance Certificate (FORM W-4)
Basic requirements and withholding allowances
- Wages and Compensation
Types of compensation and payroll periods; state requirements for supplemental wages
- Wage and Tax Reports
Completing employer’s quarterly federal tax return (Form 941) and Form 941-X
- Fringe Benefits: Deferred Compensation
Overview of fringe benefits, including 401(k) plans, 403(b) tax sheltered annuities, and Section 457 plans
- Fringe Benefits: Tax Preferred Compensation
Overview of tax preferred benefits, including Section 125 Plans (cafeteria plans), Section 129 Plans, and flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Fringe Benefits: Other Benefits
Overview of additional benefits, including adoption and educational assistance, relocation expenses, and stock options
- Fringe Benefits: Health, Life, Accident, and Sick Pay Benefits
Overview of insurance benefits, including healthcare, life insurance, and workers’ compensation
- International Payrolls
Handling payroll for noncitizen employees, including expatriates, resident aliens, and nonresident aliens; IRC Section 911
- Garnishments (71)
Understanding how garnishment factors into employee compensation; types of garnishments, including child support withholding, medical support orders, tax levies, and bankruptcies
- Year End and Year Beginning
Verifying employee names and Social Security numbers; preparing and filing year-end tax forms
- Payroll Administration
Payroll systems, controls, and direct deposits; dealing with the IRS
- Managing the Payroll Department
Best practices and procedures for administering a payroll department and managing payroll staff; auditing for fraud and disaster recovery
Instructors
Helene K. Liatsos
Helene K. Liatsos is business advisor and QuickBooks Certified Advisor with more than 25 years of experience. She consults for a range of companies, from travel agencies to startups. Her company, Home Office Management Experts was awarded the 2004 Home-Based Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Liatsos holds a Bachelor of Arts from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
