Payroll Administrator Program
Get a career you can count on!
If you are good with numbers and attentive to detail, consider leveraging your strengths towards a career as a Payroll Administrator. No matter which industry you work in, the Accounting and Payroll Administrator program offers you key skills that can save time and resources spent on HR and Accounting.
Sprott Shaw’s Payroll Administrator program will train you for a rewarding career in HR or Accounting Departments in companies across the country. Entry-level positions often provide considerable potential for advancement. Industry sources indicate that self-managed individuals with strong initiative who are willing to continuously learn new skills and upgrade old ones are the most likely candidates for promotion.
Payroll Administrators are specifically concerned with employee pay and benefits. They maintain employee records (for example, attendance and overtime) and use the records to calculate pay and benefit entitlements. They also prepare and check statements of earnings and provide information to employees on payroll matters, benefit plans and collective agreement terms. Become a CPA certified Accounting and Payroll Professional now.

Once education requirements are met, complete and submit the Application for Certification to receive the Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certification from the Canadian Payroll Association (CPA).
Entrance Requirements
Grade 12/GED or mature student status. Applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview and entrance assessments.
Total Program Hours: 820 Hours.
Full-time Program Length: 41 Weeks (9.5 Months).
Practicum Options
Available in some campuses – Work Placement Overview.
Online Learning Components
One or more courses in this program have Instructor-led G2 Online Learning components. The inclusion of online learning tools varies by campus and instructor. *These courses are not online-only.
Career Opportunities
Benefits Liaison; Pay and Benefits Administrator; Payroll Officer; Financial Officer; Financial Clerk; Accounting Clerk; Personnel Clerk. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Credits may be applicable to Acsenda School of Business.
Program may not be available at all campuses. Program content is subject to change.
Computerized Accounting Principles
- Theory & practice of double-entry bookkeeping (manual)
AC210 – 40 hours
Small Business Reporting
- Bookkeeping tasks using QuickBooks Pro
- Inventory, GL, AP, AR, Year End, business reports, statements
AC211 – 40 hours
Business Accounting
- Simply computer application of journals & ledgers
- Prerequisite: AC111
AC212 – 40 hours
Payroll and Inventory Control
- Payroll, inventory (done manually & in Simply)
- Bank reconciliation
AD001 – 10 hours
Foundations of Technologies
- Computer basics/file management
- Internet/email/keyboarding
AD111 – 40 hours
Word Processing Applications
- MS Word editing, layout, templates, styles and sections, mail merge, tables, charts, desktop publishing
Spreadsheet Applications
- MS Excel worksheets (formulas/functions)
- Organize & analyze worksheet data
AD131 – 40 hours
Database Applications
- Enter & maintain MS Access database
- Reports, design queries, macros
CPA111 – 80 hours
Payroll Compliance Legislation
- Describe payroll’s objectives & stakeholders
- Understanding of compliance requirements
- Prerequisite: AC111-Computerized Accounting Principles
CPA121 – 80 hours
Payroll Fundamentals I
- Calculate regular, non-regular and termination pay
- Complete ROE
- Prerequisite: CPA111-Payroll Compliance Legislation
CPA131 – 80 hours
Payroll Fundamentals II
- Organizational remittances
- Complete accounting documentation
- Year end documentation
- Prerequisite: CPA121-Payroll Fundamentals I
GE001 – 10 hours
Foundations for Success (Comp/Inc)
- Goal setting, note taking, problem solving, team work
- Overview of policies & procedures
GE111 – 40 hours
Critical Skills in Communication
- Research, prepare, deliver presentations
GE112 – 40 hours
Business Writing
- English grammar review
- Memos, email, letters
- Critical thinking
GE121 – 40 hours
Career Planning and Management
- Interview techniques
- Create an employment package
GE122 – 40 hours
Dynamics of Customer Service
- Effective customer service & support
- Problem solving – theory & applications
GE131 – 40 hours
Powerful Presentations
- Effective presentation using MS PowerPoint
HR111 – 40 hours
Operational Human Resources
- Analysis of job descriptions
- Recruitment, orientation, training
- Current HR trends and issues
HR112 – 40 hours
Employer and Employee Relations
- Occupational health and safety
- Labour relations