Payroll Practice and Management

Payroll is one of the fastest-changing career fields in the business world today. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in business and financial occupations is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034, equating to an average of about 942,500 job openings per year.

As a beginner, this payroll training can provide you with solid skills and knowledge of payroll rules and regulations, or you can increase and refresh your existing...

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6 Months / 100 Course Hrs
Open Enrollment
Offered in partnership with your preferred school

CSU Channel Islands

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Payroll Practice and Management

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Course code: GES409

What you will learn

  • Understand the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Internal Revenue Code, and other federal payroll laws governing wages, hours, and compliance 
  • Master the mathematics associated with calculating wages, taxes, deductions, and gross‑to‑net paychecks 
  • Accurately prepare and manage payroll forms and reporting requirements, including federal employment taxes, compliance filings, audits, and global payroll considerations 
  • Learn the fringe benefits and compensation offerings that could be given by an employer, such as health benefits, retirement plans, deferred compensation, stock options, and other employee benefits 
  • Understand payroll processing, systems, and internal controls from data entry through paying the employee 
  • Apply payroll concepts through real‑world calculations and a comprehensive payroll project  

How you will benefit

  • Set yourself up for a successful career as a payroll specialist, bookkeeper, payroll manager, or payroll accountant 
  • Know how to effectively communicate and manage a group of employees within a payroll department 
  • Master the federal taxation laws that pertain to payroll to become better equipped to handle clients' needs 
  • Gain practical, job‑ready experience through applied payroll work and your course payroll project 
  • Prepare to pass the Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) exam offered by PayrollOrg 

How the course is taught

  • Self-paced, online course
  • 6 Months to complete
  • Open enrollment, begin anytime
  • 100 course hours
  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

Helene K. Liatsos

Helene K. Liatsos is a consultant for small businesses, travel agencies, and home-based business startups with more than 25 years of experience. Along with a successful career in the travel industry, working with airlines, hotels, and travel agencies, Helene established her own business management company, Home Office Management Experts, and was awarded the 2004 Home-Based Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. As a QuickBooks Certified Advisor, she provides bookkeeping, payroll and QuickBooks training services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Sherida Habersham

Sherida Habersham is an accomplished professional from Georgia at the intersection of technology, education, and service. She started her career as a software developer specializing in human resource management (HRM), payroll, and quality systems. Over her extensive career in education, Sherida has held several roles, including program lead, college professor, and division dean for business and information systems.

Sherida holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in educational psychology, a Master of Science in computer science, and a Master of Business Administration in business. With expertise in curriculum development, business systems, and instructional leadership, she is dedicated to promoting learning and development. Additionally, she has over a decade of experience as a bookkeeping and tax expert, assisting small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in streamlining their operations with comprehensive bookkeeping and tax support.

Prerequisites:

You should be comfortable using email, navigating the internet, and performing basic calculations with a 4-function calculator, as well as a general working knowledge of Word and Excel.

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, Mac, or Chromebook.

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 material required for this program is included in enrollment. Digital access to the following book will be available via links in the course:

  • Payroll Accounting 2026, by Bernard J. Bieg and Bridget Stomberg (eBook)

A payroll manager is a business, finance, and human resources professional responsible for overseeing all aspects of employee compensation. They maintain payroll records, calculate and remit taxes, balance payroll accounts, and supervise payroll staff. Payroll managers oversee end‑to‑end payroll operations to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time while maintaining strict compliance with tax regulations, labor laws, and organizational policies. Their responsibilities include managing payroll processing, reconciling tax filings, administering employee deductions, and serving as the primary point of contact for payroll vendors, auditors, and internal HR and finance departments.

Payroll specialists oversee all aspects of timesheet and payroll processing to ensure compliance, accuracy, and on-time delivery. Specific responsibilities may vary based on the size and industry of the company the payroll specialist works for. Typically, responsibilities include preparing and issuing paper payroll checks for employees without direct deposit, collecting banking information for direct deposit setup, and processing deposits on paydays.

According to Indeed, the average salary of a payroll specialist is $43,619. Payroll specialist salaries typically range between $30,884 and $61,603 yearly but can vary depending on location, education, and experience.

Indeed.com reports that the average salary of a payroll manager is $91,997, with top earners making an average of $135,708 per year, while the average salary of a payroll administrator is $59,647 annually, with top earners making an average of $84,583.

Yes. You will be ready to pass the Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) exam offered by PayrollOrg and become certified in the fundamentals of payroll. (Exam not included)

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

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

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 successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. 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" form.

This course is revised periodically to address federal wage and payroll laws. However, these laws vary at the state level. It is advised that you also understand your state's wage and payroll laws.

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