Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Winter 2025. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
The Certified Payroll Management Program
Overview
Today's payroll professionals need developed skills in a range of disciplines, including payroll, human resources, taxation, labour relations and management. The National Payroll Institute's PCP designation is the foundation for a successful career in payroll. The Institute's PLP designation is the next step for PCP designation holders looking to enter a management position. These designations are designed for individuals who want to increase their level of knowledge and professionalism in payroll administration and management.
All students must start with CPA300. Students move through the program by taking one course per term in order (CPA300, CPA301, CPA302).
Interested in learning more?
Students are invited to attend an information session to learn more about the program and to connect with our team.
Seneca Part-Time Payroll & Bookkeeping Information Session
Thursday, November 21, 2024
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Register
Now
Tuesday, January 7, 2024
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Register
Now
Confirmation of registration and a unique link to join the information session will be provided upon registration.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have Ontario Secondary School Diploma (Grade 12) with Grade 12 English and Mathematics.
Students enrolling in CPA300, CPA301, CPA302, CPA403 or CPA404 must register both with Seneca and then with the National Payroll Institute in order to receive materials and textbooks for the first class. These courses must be taken in sequential order.
To Enrol in a National Payroll Institute Payroll Course
You must first register with and pay tuition fees to Seneca, and then register with and pay a separate fee to the Institute for course materials and the final exam. To register with the National Payroll Institute, please visit their website: http://www.payroll.ca/.
To Enrol in the PLP Program
Students who wish to enrol in the Payroll Leadership Professional program must submit the submit the Payroll Experience Prerequisite Application and receive approval from the National Payroll Institute prior to enrolling in the Introduction to Payroll Management course. Students must also be PCP designation holders.
Accessing Course Materials
Students must first register with Seneca and pay registration fee. Students must also register with National Payroll Institute and pay the Institute's course fee and the membership fee to receive access to the online materials and the learning platform. Students should register with the Institute no later than five business days before the start date of the course.
Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.
Courses
Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP)
This course will provide students with the payroll related legislation affecting organizations, as well as the tools to find information and apply that information to different scenarios in relation to individual pay.
Note: Plus, applicable fee(s) payable directly to the Institute.
Students must successfully complete CPA300 prior to taking this course.
This course will provide students with the payroll related legislation affecting organizations, as well as the tools to find information and apply that information to different scenarios in relation to individual pay.
Note: Plus, applicable fee(s) payable directly to the Institute.
This course provides students with the ability to calculate and report government and third party circumstances.
Note: Plus, applicable fee(s) payable directly to the Institute.
No required prerequisite, but students should have Grade 12 English and Mathematics or equivalent
This course introduces the student to how accounting information is used by, and meets the needs of both internal and external users through effective and efficient communication as well as what accounting information is required by a business concern to reflect clearly the operating results of the enterprise over its operating life. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to generally accepted accounting principles, the interpretation and preparation of financial statements and how this information is recorded in the various business records.
NOTE: The National Payroll Institute requires a minimum grade of 65% on the final exam and 65% on the course overall for credit toward the Institute's designation.
Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP)
Students must successfully complete CPA300, CPA301 and CPA302 prior to taking this course. Students must also meet National Payroll Institute's prerequisites prior to taking this course.
This course prepares students to manage a payroll department by introducing them to core management topics. Based on market research, the course provides the management content and tools, such as decision making and project management, required to be a successful manager. It builds on the foundation of a Payroll Compliance Practitioner's experience and knowledge of legislative monitoring and effective communication of payroll programs and policies.
Note: Plus, applicable fee(s) payable directly to the Institute.
Students must successfully complete CPA403 prior to taking this course.
This course provides students with the opportunity to apply relevant management processes in the context of a payroll department. Benchmarking, best practices development, human resources skills are utilized to enable the payroll professional to achieve organizational and career goals.
Note: Plus, applicable fee(s) payable directly to the Institute.
None.
However, it is recommended that students begin their studies with HRM701, Introduction to Human Resources Management, if they plan to pursue the Human Resources Management Graduate Certificate.
This course is an examination of the contemporary Canadian business environment, organization, leadership and management decision process which influences the behavior of individuals and groups.
Increased global competition, technological change and the rising expectations of both employees and employers have underlined the need for better and more effective leadership. This course provides a better understanding of this process.
None.
However, it is recommended that students begin their studies with HRM701, Introduction to Human Resources Management, if they plan to pursue the Human Resources Management Graduate Certificate.
The focus of this course is to provide students with an understanding of accounting information for the use of business managers and a working knowledge of financial accounting for human resources managers. The fundamental principles of finance and accounting will be combined with practical applications relating to various forms of organization. Using accounting information to help effect plans, controls, and decisions will be emphasized.
None.
However, it is recommended that students begin their studies with HRM701, Introduction to Human Resources Management, if they plan to pursue the Human Resources Management Graduate Certificate.
The purpose of this course is to examine the principles, processes and theories involved in the design and administration of compensation programs. Emphasis is placed on linking compensation strategy to corporate strategy, applying behavioural theories in the design of compensation programs and implementing, managing and adapting compensation programs.
None.
However, it is recommended that students begin their studies with HRM701, Introduction to Human Resources Management, if they plan to pursue the Human Resources Management Graduate Certificate.
Various government and employer sponsored pension and benefit plans will be reviewed as well as current related public and legislative issues. Major areas for discussion include public and private health care plans, income replacement provisions, survivor benefits and pension arrangements. Also, techniques for benefit plan management will be discussed with respect to plan design, communication, costing and administration.
Additional Courses of Interest
This course introduces the student to a working call centre environment. Students will understand how the call centre relates to the payroll industry and its function within an organizational structure. In addition, students will become proficient in using call centre technology by performing hands-on exercises in a call centre lab environment. Students are required to apply classroom theory and demonstrate the skills and techniques of communications, keyboarding, research, and customer service in practical applications.
The purpose of the course is to provide students with an extensive hands-on, practical knowledge of accounting and payroll applications using technology as a tool. Using source documents, students will use appropriate technology to complete a comprehensive case study on both the accounting and payroll cycles. Students will experience payroll and accounting systems and the source standards for industry-standard payroll and accounting systems for both in-house and outsourced payroll.
Note: APP304 requires PCP Designation or PCP Candidate status. For more information, visit the National Payroll Institute's website: http://www.payroll.ca/.
Completion
To pursue the designation(s), students must transfer the credit for compulsory courses taken at Seneca to the National Payroll Institute.
For more information visit www.payroll.ca, or email the Professional Accreditation Department at accreditation@payroll.ca.
Information Session
Students are invited to attend an information session to learn more about the program and to connect with our team.
Seneca Part-Time Payroll & Bookkeeping Information Session
Thursday, November 21, 2024
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Register
Now
Tuesday, January 7, 2024
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Register
Now
Confirmation of registration and a unique link to join the information session will be provided upon registration.
PCP
Your Path to Becoming a Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP)
The National Payroll Institute's PCP designation is the foundation for a successful career in payroll. The PCP courses will help you gain an in-depth understanding of the legislative requirements to keep your organization compliant throughout the annual payroll cycle. When you achieve the designation, you join a growing community of supportive professionals and gain access to the resources you need to stay current and compliant.
The PCP designation requires three core payroll courses, an Introduction to Accounting course transfer credit and one year of weighted payroll work experience:
- Payroll Compliance Legislation
- Payroll Fundamentals 1 - Prerequisite: Payroll Compliance Legislation
- Payroll Fundamentals 2 - Prerequisites: Payroll Compliance Legislation and Payroll Fundamentals 1
- Introduction to Accounting - must be completed at a postsecondary institution
- PCP Work Experience Requirement Application (a minimum of one year weighted Canadian payroll work experience)
Students must first register with Seneca and pay the school's registration fee. Students must also register with National Payroll Institute and pay the Institute's course fee and the membership fee to receive access to the online materials and the learning platform. Students should register with the Institute no later than five business days before the start date of the course.
For more information visit www.payroll.ca, or email the Professional Accreditation Department at accreditation@payroll.ca.
PLP
Your Path to Becoming a Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP)
The National Payroll Institute's PLP designation is the next step for PCP designation holders looking to enter a management position. The PLP designation builds on compliance knowledge and develops payroll management skills to prepare seasoned professionals to manage a payroll department.
Students must submit the Payroll Experience Prerequisite Application and receive approval from the Institute prior to enrolling in the Introduction to Payroll Management (CPA403) course. Students must also be PCP designation holders.
The PLP designation requires two core payroll courses and three transfer credit courses:
- Introduction to Payroll Management - Prerequisites: Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation and two years of weighted payroll experience)
- Applied Payroll Management - Prerequisite: Introduction to Payroll Management
- Organizational Behaviour Management - must be completed at a postsecondary institution
- Managerial Accounting - must be completed at a postsecondary institution
- Compensation & Benefits Management - must be completed at a postsecondary institution
Students must first register with Seneca and pay the school's registration fee. Students must also register with National Payroll Institute and pay the Institute's course fee to receive access to the online materials and the learning platform. Students should register with the Institute no later than five business days before the start date of the course.
For more information visit www.payroll.ca, or email the Professional Accreditation Department at accreditation@payroll.ca.
Business Pathways
Seneca Faculty of Continuing Education offers various pathways to advance your education and career. Whether you're interested in business, accounting, finance or marketing, we offer the options to help you obtain the credential you need.
Our Business Studies certificate program provides the foundational knowledge to advance through our various business streams of study. Once you complete our Business Studies certificate, you have the option to continue your studies to obtain additional credentials, which include:
- Certificates and diplomas in accounting, business and marketing
- Advanced diplomas in accounting & finance, financial planning, or accounting & financial planning
- Degree in accounting and finance
Accounting & Business Pathways Map
Program Contacts
Aliya Merchant
Program Assistant
aliya-akil.merchant@senecapolytechnic.ca
Roberta Aquino
Academic Program Manager
roberta.aquino@senecapolytechnic.ca
For more information about this program, fill out the following form.