Canadian Payroll Association Certification Programs

Hands-on, industry-relevant skills

The PCP and CPM certifications are granted by the Canadian Payroll Association upon successful completion of the required courses and fulfilment of the necessary payroll experience. The passing grade for all courses in the CPA program is a minimum 65%.  This includes non-payroll courses ACCT1115, ACCT1116, ORGB1135 and HRMT3328.

The Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certification is the foundation for a career in payroll. It provides candidates with the legislative content required to keep an organization compliant throughout the annual payroll cycle, effectively communicate payroll information to all stakeholders, and understand the accounting function as it relates to payroll. Courses needed for this certificate include Payroll Compliance Legislation, Payroll Fundamentals I, Payroll Fundamentals II, and Introductory Financial Accounting.

The Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) certification builds on the PCP compliance knowledge by developing seasoned professionals to manage a payroll department. It provides you with the knowledge to make decisions, supervise and manage, and contribute a payroll perspective to organizational policy and strategy discussions. Courses needed for this certificate include Introduction to Payroll Management, Applied Payroll Management, Compensation Management, Organizational Behaviour, and Introductory Managerial Accounting.

Learn more about payroll certifications 

CPAY500 Payroll Professional Program (Full-Time)

The Payroll Professional program is designed for learners interested in developing a strong foundation in the payroll field. If you're looking to succeed in fast-paced, challenging payroll environments, this program will provide the preparation you need.

In the program, you will develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to keep an organization compliant throughout the annual payroll cycle and to use technology to support payroll activities. You will learn how to communicate and interact effectively and professionally with internal and external stakeholders. When you successfully complete the program, you will be able to use your creativity and a range of resources to solve payroll-related problems.

As part of the program, you will have opportunities to network with industry professionals to facilitate your job search.

Program Courses include the following:

Upon successful completion of the program you will receive a NAIT Payroll Professional Certificate. You will receive a Payroll Compliance Practitioner Certificate from the Canadian Payroll Association after meeting CPA’s requirements, including one year work experience.

Entrance requirements

1. You must register at NAIT before registering with the Canadian Payroll Association (CPA).
2. Then register with CPA and pay separate fees for the following courses: CPAY455, CPAY460, CPAY465, CPAY470, CPAY475. To register with the CPA, visit the CPA website at www.payroll.ca

For students to be successful in the program it is strongly recommended you have the equivalent of Math 10C and English 10-1 or 10-2.

If you don’t have the English requirements noted above, the following are considered acceptable levels of English Language Proficiency. 

• Minimum of 73% on all four sections of NAIT's ESL Assessment Exam
• IELTS overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 5.0 Learn more about IELTS
• Successful completion of the University of Alberta’s ESL 140/145 course

Instructors