Are you tired of doing payroll manually? Do you find it difficult to keep up with ever-changing payroll laws? If so, online payroll courses can help you.
These courses can teach you everything you need to know about payroll, from the basics to the advanced. You will learn how to calculate wages, deductions, and taxes, and how to comply with all the latest regulations.
There are many different online payroll courses available, so you can find one that fits your needs and budget. Some courses are self-paced, while others are taught by live instructors.
Once you have completed a payroll course, you will be certified in payroll management. This certification can help you get a job in payroll or advance your career.
So, without further ado, let’s explore the 17 Best Payroll Courses Online with Certification in 2024 that will revolutionize your payroll game!
Is It Worth It to Take a Payroll Course Online?
Taking a payroll course online can be worth it depending on your specific circumstances and goals. Online courses offer several advantages, such as flexibility, convenience, and accessibility.
They allow you to learn at your own pace and fit your studies around your schedule, making it a viable option for those with busy lifestyles or work commitments.
Moreover, online payroll courses often provide comprehensive content, covering topics such as payroll legislation, tax regulations, payroll processing, and software applications.
However, it’s important to consider the limitations of online learning. Practical experience is crucial in mastering payroll tasks.
While online courses may provide simulated exercises or case studies, they cannot fully replicate the hands-on experience gained through real-life payroll processing.
Additionally, the level of support and interaction with instructors and peers may vary in an online setting, which can impact the depth of understanding and engagement.
Ultimately, the worth of taking a payroll course online depends on your individual needs, preferences, and commitment to actively apply the knowledge gained in a practical setting.
What are the Requirements for Taking a Payroll Course Online With a Certificate?
The requirements for taking a payroll course online with a certificate vary depending on the specific course and institution. However, some common requirements include:
- A high school diploma or equivalent
- Some basic accounting and math skills
- A strong understanding of Microsoft Excel
- The ability to learn independently and manage your own time
Some courses may also require experience in payroll or a related field.
Check out these 11 best Harvard free online courses- 11 Harvard Free Online Courses for You.
How Long Does It Take to Finish a Payroll Course Online?
The duration of a payroll course online can vary depending on factors such as the depth of the curriculum, the pace of learning, and the individual’s commitment.
Online courses often offer the flexibility to learn at one’s own pace, allowing students to progress as quickly or as slowly as desired.
Some online payroll courses are designed with a specific timeframe in mind, such as a few weeks or months, while others are self-paced, allowing students to complete the course within their time constraints.
The length of time it takes to finish a payroll course online also depends on the number of modules or lessons within the course and the amount of time one can dedicate to studying each week.
However, some courses can be completed in as little as 5 hours, while others may take several weeks or months.
What are the Best Platforms That Offer the Best Payroll Courses Online in 2024
Udemy and Alison are two of the leading online learning platforms that offer a wide variety of
courses, including payroll.
Both platforms have a large library of courses to choose from, taught by experienced instructors.
Udemy is known for its wide selection of courses, while Alison is known for its affordable prices and high-quality content.
Both Udemy and Alison offer a variety of features that make them good platforms for learning about payroll.
If you are looking for an online course to learn about payroll, Udemy and Alison are both good options.
Check out these ten best online courses at Oxford University- Top 10 Best Online Courses at Oxford University.
Which Universities Provide the Best Payroll Courses Online With Certification?
No universities are offering online payroll courses, rather there are online platforms that offer these payroll courses with certification such as Udemy and Alison.
These platforms offer a variety of payroll courses, from beginner to advanced levels. They also offer flexible learning options, such as self-paced courses and live online classes. If you are looking for a more flexible option, then an online platform can be a good choice.
17 Best Payroll Courses Online with Certification in 2024
These courses selected are considered among the best due to several reasons such as their instructor’s expertise and experience, course content, support offered to students, and reputation of the course provider. They include:
1. Payroll Management
- Platform: Udemy
- Institution: None
- Level: Beginner
- Time: 4.5 hours on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English
The Payroll Management course on Udemy is a comprehensive course that teaches you the essential skills and knowledge you need to manage payroll effectively. It includes video lectures, quizzes, and exercises. The course also includes a practical scenario assignment where you can apply the skills you have learned.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- The basics of payroll, such as calculating wages, deductions, and taxes
- The different types of payroll systems
- How to set up and administer a payroll system
- How to comply with payroll laws and regulations
- How to handle special payroll situations, such as overtime, sick leave, and vacation time
- How to use payroll software
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
The Payroll Management course on Udemy is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about payroll management.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- Calculate wages, deductions, and taxes
- Set up and administer a payroll system
- Comply with payroll laws and regulations
- Handle special payroll situations
- Use payroll software effectively
- Communicate effectively with employees and stakeholders
- Manage a team of payroll professionals
2. Understanding Payroll for Beginners
- Platform: Udemy
- Institution: None
- Level: Beginner
- Time: 1.5 hours on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: None
The Understanding Payroll for Beginners course on Udemy is a short course that teaches the fundamentals of payroll processing. The course is designed for beginners who have no prior experience with payroll. The course is taught by a certified payroll professional with over 20 years of experience. The instructor uses a clear and concise teaching style, and the course materials are well-organized.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- The different types of employees (employee, independent contractor, and statutory employee)
- How to calculate regular and overtime pay
- Payroll taxes
- Quarterly and annual reports that must be filed
- The different software programs that can be used for payroll processing
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
This course is for anyone who wants to learn the fundamentals of payroll processing.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- Understand the different types of employees and how to classify them correctly
- Calculate regular and overtime pay
- Understand the different payroll taxes that must be withheld from employee paychecks
- File the required quarterly and annual payroll reports
- Use different software programs to process payroll.
3. Human Resources Payroll Management & Vendor Relations
- Platform: Udemy
- Institution: None
- Level: Beginner
- Time: 1 hour on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English
This course is a comprehensive course that teaches you the essential skills and knowledge needed for a Human Resources Professional with Payroll Management. The course is taught by Abby P., a Human Resources professional with over 10 years of experience. She has a Master’s degree in Human Resources and is a certified Payroll Professional.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- Setting up and administering a payroll system
- Classifying workers
- Understanding exempt vs. nonexempt employees
- Retaining records
- Picking a payroll system
- Vendor relations
- State labor laws
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
This online course is for anyone who wants to learn about payroll management.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- Set up and administer a payroll system
- Classify workers correctly
- Stay up-to-date on the latest state labor laws
- Build relationships with payroll vendors
- Understand the payroll process
- Handle payroll tasks confidently
4. Payroll Management – The UK Payroll System
- Platform: Udemy
- Institution: None
- Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Time: 7.5 hours on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English, Bengali, French, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish
The course “Payroll Management – The UK Payroll System” on Udemy is a comprehensive introduction to the UK payroll system. If you are an employer or a payroll professional in the UK, this course is a valuable resource for you. It will give you the knowledge and skills you need to manage payroll effectively and compliantly.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- The different types of payroll systems available in the UK
- The legal responsibilities of employers regarding payroll
- How to calculate PAYE (Pay As You Earn)
- How to process deductions from wages, such as student loan repayments and pension contributions
- How to handle new starters and leavers
- How to deal with year-end payroll processing
- How to use a free online UK payroll software
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
The online course “Payroll Management – The UK Payroll System” is for anyone who wants to learn about the UK payroll system.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- Understand the different types of payroll systems available in the UK
- Comply with the legal responsibilities of employers regarding payroll
- Calculate PAYE accurately and efficiently
- Process deductions from wages
- Handle new starters and leavers
- Deal with year-end payroll processing
- Use a free online UK payroll software
5. Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries
- Platform: Udemy
- Institution: None
- Level: Intermediate
- Time: 22.5 hours on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English
Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries is a course on Udemy that teaches you how to handle payroll accounting according to the relevant laws and regulations. The course also includes several bonus resources, such as a cheat sheet, a glossary of terms, and a list of additional resources.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- Calculating gross pay, deductions, and net pay
- Recording payroll transactions in the general ledger
- Filing payroll taxes
- Complying with labor laws
- Using payroll software
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
This course is for anyone that wants to learn about payroll accounting, and how it works.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- How to calculate gross pay, deductions, and net pay
- The different types of payroll deductions
- How to file payroll taxes
- The different labor laws that apply to payroll
- How to use payroll software
- How to troubleshoot common payroll problems
6. Complete Payroll Management in Excel &TALLY ERP9 &TallyPrime
- Platform: Udemy
- Institution: None
- Level: Beginner
- Time: 6 hours on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English
The course “Complete Payroll Management in Excel &TALLY ERP9 &TallyPrime” on Udemy is a comprehensive course that teaches you how to manage payroll in Excel and Tally ERP9 and TallyPrime. The course is self-paced and you can learn at your convenience. You can also ask the instructor questions through the Q&A forum.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- Introduction to payroll management
- How to create a payroll template in Excel
- How to calculate gross pay, deductions, and net pay
- How to handle taxes and statutory compliance
- How to use Tally ERP9 and TallyPrime for payroll management
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
The online course “Complete Payroll Management in Excel &TALLY ERP9 &TallyPrime” is for anyone who wants to learn how to manage payroll.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- Understand the basics of payroll management
- Create a payroll template in Excel
- Calculate gross pay, deductions, and net pay
- Handle taxes and statutory compliance
- Use Tally ERP9 and TallyPrime for payroll management
7. Intro to Business Chapter #4 • HR: Payroll Fundamentals
- Platform: Udemy
- Institution: None
- Level: Beginner
- Time: 3.5 hours on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English, Simplified Chinese
The Intro to Business Chapter #4 • HR: Payroll Fundamentals course on Udemy teaches the basics of payroll processing. The course is taught clearly and concisely, and it uses everyday language that is easy to understand. The course also includes several exercises and quizzes to help you test your understanding of the material.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- The legal requirements for hiring and paying employees
- How to calculate gross pay for hourly wages, salary, and commissions
- The difference between mandatory and voluntary deductions from an employee’s paycheck
- The process of calculating earnings, deductions, and net pay
- How to file payroll taxes
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
It is suitable for anyone responsible for processing payroll, whether you are a small business owner, an HR manager, or a student.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- How to calculate earnings
- Which taxes apply to employees
- How to file taxes
- The legal requirements for hiring and paying employees
- The difference between mandatory and voluntary deductions from an employee’s paycheck
- The entire process of calculating earnings, deductions, and net pay for employees
8. Payroll Journals
- Platform: Udemy
- Institution: None
- Level: Beginner
- Time: 44 mins on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English
The Payroll Journals course on Udemy is designed to teach bookkeepers and non-financial administrators the basics of payroll journals. The course is delivered in a video format, with each topic covered in a separate video lesson.
In addition to the video lessons, the course also includes several other resources, such as:
- A downloadable workbook
- A practice quiz
- A certificate of completion
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- What is a payroll journal?
- The different types of payroll journals
- How to record payroll transactions in a payroll journal
- The importance of accuracy in payroll journals
- How to avoid common errors in payroll journals
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
The Payroll Journals course is a valuable resource for anyone who needs to learn about payroll journals.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- How to identify the different types of payroll transactions
- How to calculate payroll taxes
- How to record payroll deductions
- How to reconcile payroll journals
- How to use payroll software
9. Payroll Accounting With Visually Effective Excel Dashboards
- Platform: Udemy
- Institution: None
- Level: Beginner
- Time: 2.5 hours on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English
The Payroll Accounting With Visually Effective Excel Dashboards course on Udemy teaches you how to perform payroll accounting in Microsoft Excel, create visually effective payroll dashboards, and make important payroll-related decisions. The course is taught by a proficient payroll accounting expert who has designed the curriculum carefully to ensure that you learn everything you need to know about payroll accounting in Excel.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- What is payroll accounting?
- How to perform payroll accounting in Excel
- The different pay heads in payroll accounting
- Excel formulas and functions for automated payroll accounting
- How to create visually effective payroll dashboards
- How to use pivot tables and pivot charts for payroll data analysis
- How to prepare an automated payslip for each employee
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
This online course is for anyone who wants to learn how to perform payroll accounting in Microsoft Excel.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- You will learn how to perform payroll accounting in Microsoft Excel, which is a valuable skill for any business professional.
- You will be able to create visually effective payroll dashboards that will help you make better decisions about your company’s payroll.
- You will learn how to use pivot tables and pivot charts for payroll data analysis, which will help you identify trends and patterns in your payroll data.
- You will be able to prepare an automated payslip for each employee, which will save you time and effort.
10. Payroll Calculations
- Platform: Udemy
- Institution: None
- Level: Beginner
- Time: 2.5 hours on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English
The Payroll Calculations course on Udemy is a great option for anyone who wants to learn the basics of payroll calculations. The course is well-organized and easy to follow, and the instructor is knowledgeable and experienced.
The course is delivered through a combination of video lectures, quizzes, and practice exercises. The video lectures are clear and concise, and the instructor does a good job of explaining the concepts. The quizzes and practice exercises help you to test your understanding of the material.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- Calculating gross pay
- Calculating deductions
- Calculating net pay
- Handling different types of pay periods
- Complying with payroll laws
- Using payroll software
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
This course is for anyone interested in learning how to calculate payroll, including accountants, bookkeepers, human resources professionals, and small business owners.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- How to calculate gross pay, deductions, and net pay
- The different types of pay periods
- How to comply with payroll laws
- How to use payroll software
- The basics of payroll accounting
- How to troubleshoot common payroll problems
11. Effective Bookkeeping and Payroll
- Platform: Udemy
- Institution: None
- Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Time: 14.5 hours on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English
The Effective Bookkeeping and Payroll course on Udemy is designed to teach you the essential skills you need to be a successful bookkeeper. The course is taught by experienced bookkeepers and accountants, and it includes a variety of resources to help you learn.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- The basics of bookkeeping, including double-entry bookkeeping and the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
- How to set up and maintain a bookkeeping system
- How to record financial transactions
- How to prepare financial statements
- Payroll processing, including tax withholding, deductions, and employee benefits
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
The Effective Bookkeeping and Payroll course is a great course for anyone willing to learn the skills needed to start a career in bookkeeping or to improve your skills if you are already a bookkeeper. The course is also a good option for business owners who want to learn how to keep their books.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- The basics of bookkeeping, including double-entry bookkeeping and the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
- How to set up and maintain a bookkeeping system
- How to record financial transactions
- How to prepare financial statements
- Payroll processing, including tax withholding, deductions, and employee benefits
- Internal controls for bookkeeping and payroll
- How to use accounting software, such as QuickBooks and Sage 50
- How to troubleshoot common bookkeeping problems
12. Payroll in QuickBooks
- Platform: Udemy
- Institution: None
- Level: Beginner
- Time: 1.5 hours on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English
The online course Payroll in QuickBooks on Udemy is a beginner-level course that teaches you how to set up and manage payroll in QuickBooks. The course is delivered in a video format, with each topic covered in its video lecture. If you are a small business owner or bookkeeper who needs to learn how to set up and manage payroll in QuickBooks, then this course is a great option.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- Setting up payroll in QuickBooks
- Entering employee information
- Calculating payroll taxes
- Generating payroll reports
- Paying employees
- Dealing with payroll problems
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
The online course Payroll in QuickBooks on Udemy is for anyone who needs to learn how to set up and manage payroll in QuickBooks.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- Set up payroll in QuickBooks
- Enter employee information
- Calculate payroll taxes
- Generate payroll reports
- Pay employees
- Deal with payroll problems
- The different types of payroll taxes
- How to file payroll taxes
- How to keep accurate payroll records
13. SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll – Course A
- Platform: Udemy
- Institution: None
- Level: Intermediate
- Time: 2.5 hours on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English
SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll – Course A on Udemy is a course that teaches you how to set up point-to-point integration between SuccessFactors Employee Central and SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll systems. If you are responsible for setting up or maintaining the integration between SuccessFactors Employee Central and SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll, then this course is for you. It will teach you the skills you need to configure and test the integration successfully.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- System prerequisites for integration
- Configuring Employee Central (EC) and Employee Central Payroll (ECP) systems for integration
- Point-to-point integration using the SuccessFactors Integration Framework (SIF)
- Testing the integration
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
This course is for anyone responsible for setting up or maintaining the integration between SuccessFactors Employee Central and SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- The system prerequisites for integration
- How to configure Employee Central (EC) and Employee Central Payroll (ECP) systems for integration
- How to perform point-to-point integration using the SuccessFactors Integration Framework (SIF)
- How to test the integration
14. Payroll Computation and Bookkeeping
- Platform: Alison
- Institution: None
- Level: Beginner
- Time: 1.5-3 hours on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Turkish
The Payroll Computation and Bookkeeping course on Alison is a free online course that teaches you the fundamentals of payroll computation and bookkeeping. Each module in this course includes video lectures, quizzes, and exercises to help you learn the material. You can also download the course materials for offline viewing.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Computing wages and salaries
- Social security taxes
- Income tax withholding
- Unemployment tax acts
- Bookkeeping
- Accounting basics
- Choosing an accounting method
- Keeping the books
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
It is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn about payroll computation and bookkeeping.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- The fundamentals of payroll computation and bookkeeping.
- The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
- How to compute wages and salaries.
- How to calculate social security taxes, income tax withholding, and unemployment tax acts.
- The basics of bookkeeping and accounting.
- How to choose an accounting method.
- How to keep the books.
15. Sage 50 Payroll for Beginners
- Platform: Alison
- Institution: None
- Level: Beginner
- Time: 3-4 hours on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English
The Sage 50 Payroll for Beginners course on Alison is a free online course that teaches you how to use Sage 50 to manage payroll and organize workplace pensions. The course is designed for beginners with no prior experience in payroll. The course also includes a practice exam to test your knowledge.
To succeed in this course, you should have a basic understanding of accounting and bookkeeping.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- Setting up Sage 50 payroll
- Entering employee information
- Calculating wages and deductions
- Generating payroll reports
- Managing workplace pensions
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
The Sage 50 Payroll for Beginners course on Alison is for anyone who wants to learn how to use Sage 50 to manage payroll and organize workplace pensions.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- How to create a new company in Sage 50 Payroll
- How to enter employee information, including their name, address, job title, and pay rate
- How to calculate wages and deductions, including federal, state, and local taxes
- How to generate payroll reports, such as pay stubs and W-2 forms
- How to manage workplace pensions, such as 401(k) plans and health insurance
16. Human Resources in the Food Service and Hospitality Sector
- Platform: Alison
- Institution: None
- Level: Beginner
- Time: 4-5 hours on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English
The Human Resources in the Food Service and Hospitality Sector course on Alison is a free online course that teaches you about the issues involved in human resources management in the food service and hospitality sector. The course also includes case studies and exercises to help you apply the concepts you learn.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- The role of human resources in the food service and hospitality industry
- Recruitment and selection
- Training and development
- Compensation and benefits
- Occupational health and safety
- Employee relations
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
This course is for anyone interested in learning about the human resources function in the food service and hospitality industry.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- Understand the key functions of human resources in the food service and hospitality industry.
- Apply the principles of recruitment and selection to attract and hire the best employees.
- Develop and implement training and development programs to improve employee skills and knowledge.
- Design and manage compensation and benefits programs that attract and retain employees.
- Implement occupational health and safety programs to protect employees from workplace hazards.
- Resolve employee relations issues fairly and effectively.
17. Finance and Cash Management for Hospitality
- Platform: Alison
- Institution: None
- Level: Beginner
- Time: 2-3 hours on-demand video
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English
The Finance and Cash Management for Hospitality course on Alison is a free online course that teaches you the essential financial concepts and skills needed to manage a hospitality business. The course also provides hands-on lessons on how to use Excel to create and manage budgets.
Online Payroll Courses to Take
- Financial management in the hospitality industry
- Cost management
- Budgeting
- Cash flow management
- Revenue management
- Zero-based budgeting
- Activity-based costing
Who is This Online Payroll Course For?
This online course is for anyone who wants to learn the essential financial concepts and skills needed to manage a hospitality business.
What You’ll Learn From This Online Payroll Course
- The different types of financial statements used in the hospitality industry
- How to calculate and interpret financial ratios
- How to manage costs and expenses
- How to create and manage budgets
- How to track cash flow and manage your finances
- How to use Excel to create and manage budgets
- How to apply zero-based budgeting and activity-based costing
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the job prospects for payroll professionals?
The job prospects for payroll professionals are good. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of payroll clerks and accountants is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
What are the salary ranges for payroll professionals?
The salary ranges for payroll professionals vary depending on experience, education, and location. According to Payscale, the average salary for a payroll clerk is \$38,000 per year. The average salary for a payroll accountant is \$50,000 per year.
What are the steps to take to become a certified payroll professional?
To become a certified payroll professional, you must: * Complete a qualifying payroll course * Pass the CPP exam * Have two years of experience in payroll processing
What are the benefits of taking a payroll course online?
Convenience
Flexibility
Cost-effectiveness
Interaction
Conclusion
Payroll is a complex and ever-changing field, so it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest regulations and best practices.
Online payroll courses can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to manage payroll efficiently and accurately.
When choosing an online payroll course, there are a few factors to consider, such as the course content, the instructor, and the certification offered.
With the right training, you can become a skilled payroll professional and build a successful career in this in-demand field.
References
- Udemy.com– Best Payroll Accounting Online Courses
- Alison.com– Free Online Payroll Courses