Payroll Manager

Payroll is one of the fastest-changing career fields in today’s business world, as complex payroll laws drive demand for skilled teams and competent leaders.

This payroll certification course will prepare you for a career as a payroll manager and equip you with MBA-level business management skills needed for success.

This payroll course combines our Payroll Practice and Management with Management Training courses, equipping you with both the technical payroll skills and the broad business...

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9 Months / 235 Course Hrs
Open Enrollment
Offered in partnership with your preferred school

California State University Pomona College of Professional and Global Education

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Course code: GES440

What you will learn

  • Learn about how taxes affect a business, whether it’s a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation
  • Understand the process of negotiating, evaluate negotiation styles, and consider successful negotiation strategies for most environments
  • Know the seven management disciplines essential to business success
    Identify various laws and regulations that affect employers in their payroll operations
  • Explain the use of the forms required to withhold, deposit, and report federal income taxes
  • Understand the payroll process and supporting systems and administration
  • Correctly apply payroll policies and procedures of a payroll department
  • Be able to process a payroll from start to finish (payroll project)

How you will benefit

  • Having a certification in payroll is a desirable attribute that many employers seek in payroll candidates
  • With certification comes additional knowledge and skills that are not often taught in the workplace
  • Be able to search and apply for payroll jobs, with the additional resume skills learned in the course
  • Develop communication skills that will allow you to thrive in a professional environment
  • Set yourself apart from competitors by receiving management training
  • Prepare to sit for the PayrollOrg’s Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) exam

How the course is taught

  • Self-paced, online course
  • 9 Months to complete
  • Open enrollment, begin anytime
  • 235 course hours
  1. Payroll Practice and Management
    1. Introduction to Payroll
    2. Determining Worker Status
    3. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
    4. Federal Employment Taxes
    5. Payroll Forms
    6. Fringe Benefits – Tax-Preferred and Other Related Health Benefits
    7. Fringe Benefits – Deferred Comp, Retirement Plans, and Stock Options
    8. Other Employee Benefits
    9. Calculating Gross Wages
    10. Calculating Gross Pay – Additional Topics
    11. Paycheck Calculation – Taxes
    12. Paycheck Calculation – Voluntary and Involuntary Deductions
    13. Gross to Net Paycheck Calculation
    14. Compliance – Laws and Reporting
    15. Global Payroll
    16. Payroll Process and Systems, and Audits
    17. Paying the Employee
    18. Payroll Administration and Management
    19. Basic Accounting
    20. Exploring Payroll Careers
    21. Exam Preparation
    22. Payroll Project
  2. Management Training
    1. Introduction to Management Principles
    2. The Role and Responsibilities of a Manager
    3. Building a Personal Development Plan, Your Leadership Blueprint
    4. Corporate Culture in the Management Context
    5. Ethics and Social Responsibility
    6. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEIB)
    7. Strategic vs. Operational Thinking
    8. Goal Setting and Prioritization
    9. Planning and Execution
    10. Decision-Making
    11. Time and Project Management Fundamentals
    12. Managing Human Talent
    13. Managing Change
    14. Customer Relationship Management
    15. Leadership
    16. Motivating Employees
    17. Team Building and Collaboration
    18. Managing Communication and Conflict
    19. Controlling
    20. Career Planning

Helene K. Liatsos

Helene K. Liatsos is a 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. Helene holds a Bachelor of Arts from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Deven Matthews

Deven Matthews is a tenured professor with over a decade of higher education experience and extensive expertise in course design, hybrid instruction, and applied learning. An accomplished author and curriculum developer, he specializes in translating complex management concepts into practical, skill-based learning. Deven is known for mentoring students and creating engaging, career-ready programs that bridge theory and real-world practice.

Instructor Interaction: The instructor looks forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to complete this course. No prior management experience or formal business training is required.

This course is intended for individuals who are new to management, aspiring managers preparing for leadership roles, and current professionals seeking a clearer understanding of management responsibilities, best practices, and foundational people management skills.

Certification Requirements:

The FPC Examination is open to all who wish to demonstrate a baseline of payroll competency. There are no eligibility requirements for the FPC Examination.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 10 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 12 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Microsoft Word Online
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment.

  • Management (15th Edition) by Richard Daft (eBook) 
  • Payroll Accounting 2026, by Bernard J. Bieg and Judith A. Toland (eBook)

About Certification: PayrollOrg (PAYO)

PayrollOrg's mission is to provide payroll professionals throughout the world with unparalleled education, publications, resources, and networking opportunities so that they may become successful leaders and strategic partners within their organizations. Its certifications—Fundamental Payroll Certification and Certified Payroll Professional—have set the standard for the industry and are accepted by employers as proof of payroll expertise.

According to Indeed.com, the national median Payroll Manager salary is $92,083 as of March 10, 2026.

Yes, you will be prepared to pass the FPC exam, and become certified in the fundamentals of payroll.

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

After you register, you will receive 9 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.

If you are unable to complete the course, contact your Student Advisor to help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee will be charged. If you are funded through a third-party organization, approval may also be required.

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school or organization that you registered through.

ed2go courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling.

ed2go courses are non-credit, so they do not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA, and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards may provide funding to take our courses. Additionally, you may qualify for financial assistance if you meet certain requirements. Learn more about financial assistance.

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us."