Canadian Payroll Association's Certification Programs
In today's competitive business environment, the payroll professional's role is becoming increasingly more complex. The responsibilities range from payroll management to accounting, legislative and employment standards compliance, employee benefits administration, human resources functions, and more.
Why Get Certified?
Canadian Payroll Association (CPA) certification demonstrates to employers the attainment of a professional level of achievement and proficiency. Certified employees inspire confidence because they have made a commitment to high standards of quality, efficiency and knowledge.
In addition, according to Robert Half's Guide to Certifications, certified payroll professionals may receive starting salaries up to 10% above the market average.
The are two levels of certification :
The Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certification is the foundation of your career in payroll. It provides you with the compliance knowledge required to process an organization's annual payroll cycle, effectively communicate payroll information to all stakeholders, and understand the accounting function as it relates to payroll.
The Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) certification builds upon the PCP compliance knowledge by developing your payroll management skills. It provides you with the knowledge to make decisions, supervise and manage, and contribute a payroll perspective to organizational policy and strategy discussions.
Certification Requirements
| Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) | Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) |
| Payroll Compliance Legislation | Introduction to Payroll Management* |
| Payroll Fundamentals 1 | Organizational Behaviour Management |
| Introduction to Accounting | Managerial Accounting |
| Payroll Fundamentals 2* | Compensation and Benefits Management |
| Applied Payroll Management* |
*These courses are offered online through the CPA website. All other courses are offered through the University of Winnipeg, Division of Continuing Education.
Classroom instruction of core payroll courses provided by Canadian Payroll Association (CPA) along with The University of Winnipeg Division of Continuing Education (UWDCE).
UWDCE also offers all compulsory and elective courses necessary to achieve each of the CPA certification levels.
Application for Certification
Once the education requirements are met, students will be required to complete the Application for Certification process to receive the certification. Students will also have to become members of the CPA if they have not already done so.
Ongoing Requirements
All certified individuals must comply with the following three requirements in order to maintain certification with the CPA:
- Maintain a membership with CPA through a Professional Membership or through the Organization Membership of their employer
- Adhere to the CPA's Code of Professional Conduct
- Meet the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements
Required Courses
- DPS 16400 - CPA: Payroll Compliance Legislation42 hours
- DPS 16431 - CPA: Payroll Fundamentals I42 hours
- (Next start date: Apr 3, 2012 )
- DPS 16432 - CPA: Payroll Fundamentals II42 hours
- (Next start date: Apr 11, 2012 )
- DPS 51038 - CPA: Introduction to Payroll Management42 hours
- DPS 51039 - CPA: Applied Payroll Management42 hours
- (Next start date: Apr 5, 2012 )
- DPS 15182 - Accounting Fundamentals36 hours
- DPS 15121 - Organizational Behaviour36 hours
- (Next start date: Apr 10, 2012 )
- DPS 15185 - Financial Management for Non-Financial Managers36 hours
- (Next start date: Apr 11, 2012 )
- DPS 15252 - Compensation and Benefits36 hours
Additional Comments:
TO REGISTER FOR CPA COURSES
1) Become a Canadian Payroll Association Member Canadian Payroll Association Member
2) Register with Canadian Payroll Association ($300 + tax per course for members)
3) Register with University of Winnipeg ($425 per course)
4) Students must register with the CPA at least one week prior to course start date to ensure receipt of student manuals at first class.
5) CPA will issue a transcript after completion of each course. Students who complete the program will be eligible to the Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certificate.
For more information, contact CPA at 1.800.387.4693 ext. 272 or certification@payroll.ca
