Expert: Shirley McAllister, CPP, PHR - 8/13/2009

Question
I have a small business with two employees. I plan to expand and hire more employees. Currently I outsource my payroll services. I would like to do it inhouse. How do I get the person trained in payroll services? Is there any class/institute that trains in payroll services specifically and not general accounting classes?
Thanks.

Answer
You can hire someone already trained. If you wish to train an existing employee than I suggest the American Payroll Association. They have beginning and advanced payroll classes.

Their website is at http://www.americanpayroll.org/

They have courses to teach and they have certifications to earn. The FPC is Fundamental Payroll Certification and it is the fundamentals to payroll. After you are in the profession a while there is a CPP certification that can be earned it is Certified Payroll Professional.

http://www.americanpayroll.org/

The certifications do not have to be earned to take the classes. I would suggest that you have her sign up as a member of the American Payroll Association. You will also need a payroll system, you can get a small one like Quick Books to start with.

Also I will be happy to help your payroll person if they get stuck and need help. I have done payroll for 26 years now. I am currently teaching a college accounting student as a summer intern.

Shirley