Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Best payroll specialist certifications
The best certifications for a payroll specialist are Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Payroll Certification, and Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
Payroll specialist certifications demonstrate your competency as a payroll specialist to employers. However, not all payroll specialist certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best payroll specialist certifications. Obtaining a payroll specialist certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
6 best certifications for payroll specialists
| Rank | Payroll specialist certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) | APA |
| 2 | Payroll Certification | NBA |
| 3 | Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) | APA |
| 4 | Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) | NHA |
| 5 | Certified Resume Specialist: Accounting and Finance (CRS+AF) | CDI |
| 6 | Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert (Office 365 and Office 2019) | Microsoft |
6 best payroll specialist certifications
1. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
2. Payroll Certification
NBA's Payroll Certification assures employers you have payroll knowledge and skill. You obtain the Certification by passing the Uniform Payroll Certification Examination.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
3. Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
The Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) is open to all those who wish to demonstrate a baseline of payroll competency. The FPC is designed for: Entry-level Payroll Professionals, Sales Professionals/Consultants serving the payroll industry, Systems Analysts/Engineers writing payroll programs, and Payroll Service Bureau Client Representatives. APA membership is not required.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
4. Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
A Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) primarily focuses on converting a medical procedure, diagnosis, or symptom into specific codes to submit a claim for reimbursement.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
5. Certified Resume Specialist: Accounting and Finance (CRS+AF)
The CDI Certified Industry Resume Specialist allows you to gain certification in your chosen industry.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
6. Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert (Office 365 and Office 2019)
Demonstrate that you have the advanced skills needed to get the most out of Office by earning a Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert certification in multiple Office programs.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
What is the best certification for a payroll specialist?
The best payroll specialist certification is Certified Payroll Professional (CPP). The Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is awarded by the American Payroll Association. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this payroll specialist certification:
- To become a certified Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 5 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for payroll specialists?
The most in-demand payroll specialist certification is Certified Payroll Professional based on all active job postings. Having this payroll specialist certification will give you access to more payroll specialist jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a payroll specialist career and salary?
The Fundamental Payroll Certification certification will help you to secure a payroll administrator position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A payroll administrator's average salary is $42,330 whereas payroll specialists make an average salary of $46,462.
The most common combination of payroll specialist certifications include: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Payroll Certification, and Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
Online courses for payroll specialists to earn certifications
1. Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries
Master the complex world of payroll with practical examples, legislation insights, and comprehensive problems...
2. QuickBooks Payroll - QuickBooks Online
Processing Quick Books Online payroll for a small business, generating paychecks, processing payroll tax forms...
3. Payroll Management
Use free UK payroll software to perform essential payroll management...
4. Ultimate Payroll Management with Income Tax & Year-End 23-24
Basic to Advanced: Certification in Payroll, Compensation Benefits, Income Tax,Year Ending for Payroll & Human Resources...
5. Payroll Accounting With Visually Effective Excel Dashboards
Payroll Data Analysis with Excel Pivot Tables,hr payroll, payroll management, payroll certification, Payroll, Excel...
6. Intro to Business • HR: Payroll Fundamentals
Understand the Basics of Processing Employee Payroll...
7. Understanding Payroll for Beginners
Payroll calculation, processing payroll, taxes, and reporting...
8. Effective Bookkeeping and Payroll
Effective Bookkeeping and Payroll...
9. Complete Payroll Management in Excel &TALLY ERP9 &TallyPrime
Payroll, Bookkeeping,Microsoft Excel,Excel,TALLY ERP9, Payroll Process, Tally Prime,Payroll Account, Salary , wages ,HR...
10. Xero Australia Payroll Complete Training Course
Become an expert at the payroll function of Xero bookkeeping & accounting software using Xero's Australian demo company...
11. Complete Tally ERP 9-GST Course with Live Project of Clients
Learn Tally ERP 9 with live Accounts of a Business Covering its Accounting, Payroll, GST, Banking, Inventory System...
12. Data Entry Skills: A Complete Data Entry Course from Scratch
A Complete Guide to Data Entry Skills: Learn Data Entry Skills and become a Data Entry Pro & Get a Online Data Entry Job...
13. Ultimate HR Generalist and Human Resource Management Course
Hands-on HR Certification: All HRM topics. Master Employee Life Cycle, Payroll, Recruitment, Engagement, EXDesign and AI...
14. Complete Data Entry Skills Course - Learn Data Entry Skills
Learn Essential Data Entry Skills Now To Enhance Your Career -Word - Excel - Database - Data Entry Jobs...
15. Human Resources (HR) Training for Entry Level Professionals
How To Get Your First Job As An HR Assistant...
16. Data Entry Course for Beginners
Learn from a Successful Data Entry Professional!...
17. Financial Accounting - Subsidiary Ledgers & Special Journals
Mastering Special Journals and Subsidiary Ledgers: A Comprehensive Guide to Streamlined Accounting Practices...
18. Master Course in Human Resources 2.0
Strategic human resource management, strategic planning, recruiting, training, HR management,Labour welfare...
19. Financial Accounting & Excel-Comprehensive Accounting Course
Comprehensive accounting course to learn the accounting cycle in a practical way and pick up critical Excel fundamentals...
20. Financial Accounting-Adjusting Entries & Financial Statement
Master Adjusting Entries & Financial Statements: A Comprehensive Guide for Accurate Accounting and Reporting...