Online Payroll Management Training Programs

Payroll managers track employee compensation in addition to calculating and distributing paychecks. Online payroll management training programs are available both for people seeking entry-level positions and current professionals who want to improve or update their skills.

Overview of Online Payroll Management Training Programs

Online payroll management training is available through certificate programs offered by for-profit and not-for-profit postsecondary institutions, as well as through businesses that sell online training programs to schools and individuals. Training programs developed by schools and businesses cover similar topics and use similar online teaching tools and technology.
Programs in payroll management typically include asynchronous interactive courses that students complete at their own pace. Certified payroll managers typically teach these training programs..

Payroll Management Certificate Programs

Community colleges and universities offer online payroll management certificate programs that cover topics, such as tax withholding procedures, deferred compensation, W-2 forms and sick pay. Some schools offer their own online certificate curriculums while other schools use programs developed by businesses that market online curriculums.
Online payroll management certificate programs typically consist of online lectures, readings, quizzes and tests. Students communicate with instructors via e-mail or telephone or both. Some courses include online videos and require textbooks and workbooks, which students receive through traditional mail service.
System requirements for these programs include Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader and the latest version of Internet Explorer. Online payroll certificate programs typically don't require candidates to have previous work experience in the profession.
Certificate programs in payroll management teach students various ways to calculate, classify and organize employee payments. Some common courses are listed below:

Wage and hour laws

This online course covers the rules and penalties of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) and classification of workers according to their work status, such as full-time, contractor, exempt and nonexempt. Instructors cover the history of wage and hour laws, child labor and wage and tax reports.

Calculating Pay

Coursework focuses on calculating pay for various worker classifications, including minimum-wage and hourly employees. Students learn state and federal laws that impact pay calculations.

Federal Payroll Taxes

Online instructors emphasize government rules and procedures for tracking and calculating federal payroll taxes. This course reviews the role of Social Security, income taxes, Medicare and other payroll calculation considerations.

Benefits and Compensation

Candidates review the participation requirements for various types of employee benefits, including flexible spending accounts and 401k, 403b and 457 plans. Other areas covered include employee stock options and deferred compensation.

State Payroll Taxes

This course focuses on rules and procedures for calculating state payroll taxes. Topics include deposit rules and procedures, computing payroll taxes and multi-state workforces.