Overview
Work towards your Certificate in Payroll Compliance Practitioner or your Certificate in Canadian Payroll Management today
Whether you are pursuing a new career in Payroll or working towards your PCP or CPM designation, our Payroll programs can help get you there. Gain the latest in-demand skills you need to succeed in this rewarding profession.
- Developed in affiliation with the National Payroll Institute (NPI) – formerly Canadian Payroll Association
- Gain the knowledge, tools and skills to enhance operations, comply with legislative requirements and utilize emerging technologies
- Course credits can be used towards an undergraduate degree at McMaster University
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Program highlights Learn More
- Earn one of two certificate options
- Taught by payroll experts
- Open enrolment program
Payroll programs features:
- Option to earn one of two certificate options:
-
- Payroll Compliance Practitioner
- Canadian Payroll Management
- Recognized by the National Payroll Institute
- Flexible online, online self-study or virtual classroom options
- Learn from industry professionals
- Network with professionals
- Earn academic credit towards degree studies

What you'll learn Learn More
- Payroll and compensation fundamentals
- Payroll management, compliance and legislation
- Accounting, business finance and communications
Through our Payroll programs, you’ll learn:
- Payroll fundamentals including generally accepted accounting principles
- To calculate all key payroll components of individual pay from remunerations to deductions
- Payroll-related legislation affecting organizations and how to effectively communicate to stakeholders
- How payroll technology solutions support and have advanced this sector
- Payroll management and organizational behaviour
- Generally accepted accounting principles
- The knowledge and skills associated with clearly receiving, transmitting and communicating information within the business environment
Learn more about our Payroll programs
- Entry-level payroll professionals
- Bookkeepers
- Small business owners
- Anyone interested in pursuing a Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) or Certified Manager (CPM) designation
Earning a Certificate in Payroll Compliance Practitioner or a Certificate in Canadian Payroll Management can lead to a range of rewarding careers including:
- Payroll Specialist
- Payroll Administrator
- Accounts Payable
- Accounts Receivable
- Benefits Officer
- Salary Administration
- Payroll Compliance Practitioner*
- Certified Payroll Manager*
*Upon earning your PCP or CPM designation
The National Payroll Institute has been representing employers’ payroll interests since 1978. As the source of payroll education and advocacy, the National Payroll Institute delivers professional designation courses, professional development seminars, and products and services that enable payroll practitioners to enhance operations, comply with legislative requirements and utilize emerging technologies.
McMaster University’s Certificate in Payroll Compliance Practitioner and Certificate in Canadian Payroll Management, offered in affiliation with the National Payroll Institute, provide learners with the opportunity to receive a McMaster University certificate, while working towards their payroll designation! A Two-In-One credential!
Payroll Designations
Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP)
Qualified payroll professionals are in demand and Payroll Compliance Practitioner designation is the foundation. Understand legislation, keep your organization compliant, and leverage the resources and support of a community of over 43,000 members nationwide.
For those pursuing the National Payroll Institute’s PCP designation by taking course equivalencies through McMaster Continuing Education without pursuing our academic certificate, please note the following requirements.
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 (PAY 101)
- Payroll Fundamentals 1 (PAY 102) – Prerequisite: Payroll Compliance Legislation
- Payroll Fundamentals 2 (PAY 103) – Prerequisites: Payroll Compliance Legislation and Payroll Fundamentals 1
- Introduction to Accounting (ACC 925)
- PCP Work Experience Requirement Application (a minimum of one year weighted payroll work experience)
Certified Payroll Management (CPM)
Aspire to manage? A Certified Payroll Management designation extends your reach and elevates your career. You’ll gain comprehensive payroll compliance knowledge and management skills that will enhance your job prospects and drive career success.
For more information regarding PCP or CPM designations, visit National Payroll Institute or e-mail certification@payroll.ca
Check out our latest Program Preview webinar to learn more about the Payroll program
What Our Recent Graduates Say

Tracy
Project Management graduate
“I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative.”
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative. I was introduced to new ideas and new skills. Because of that, I’ve had new opportunities in my career. McMaster Continuing Education is the best place to take professional development courses. The programs fit into your life.
Tracy
Project Management graduate

Adam
Business Administration graduate
“I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career.”
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career. I found that the Business Administration program was really the best fit for me, because the learning that I was able to take in through this program was really cutting edge and current to the labour market. The learning that I took on is something I use every day.
Adam
Business Administration graduate

Tyson
Business Administration - Marketing graduate
“The instructors worked in the marketing field and taught us real-life experiences.”
Obtaining an education with McMaster Continuing Education helped me reinvent my career. I was a former banker and I wanted a career in marketing. Through this program, I was able to bridge that gap and get into the career that I wanted. The instructors were working in the marketing field, teaching us real-life experiences and that was very valuable to me.
Tyson
Business Administration - Marketing graduate
“I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative.”
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative. I was introduced to new ideas and new skills. Because of that, I’ve had new opportunities in my career. McMaster Continuing Education is the best place to take professional development courses. The programs fit into your life.
Tracy
Project Management graduate
“I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career.”
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career. I found that the Business Administration program was really the best fit for me, because the learning that I was able to take in through this program was really cutting edge and current to the labour market. The learning that I took on is something I use every day.
Adam
Business Administration graduate
“The instructors worked in the marketing field and taught us real-life experiences.”
Obtaining an education with McMaster Continuing Education helped me reinvent my career. I was a former banker and I wanted a career in marketing. Through this program, I was able to bridge that gap and get into the career that I wanted. The instructors were working in the marketing field, teaching us real-life experiences and that was very valuable to me.
Tyson
Business Administration - Marketing graduate
Other programs you may be interested in
Certificates in Payroll
PAYROLL COMPLIANCE PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATE
Pursue your Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) Certificate with McMaster Continuing Education
Explore the requirements below and register today!
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Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) Certificate
Earn your Payroll Compliance Practitioner Certificate by completing all 5 required courses listed below.
Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) Certificate Requirements
Academic credit: 15 units
A minimum grade of 65% on both the final examination and overall final grade is necessary to pass.
If you have already completed courses through the National Payroll Institute, please visit our transfer credit page for more information.
Students must first register with McMaster Continuing Education and pay the course fees. They must also register with the National Payroll Institute and pay the Institute’s course fee and the membership fee to receive course materials and access the learning platform. Students should register with the Institute no later than five business days before the start date of the course.
Note: BUS 850 is a required course to qualify for the certificate.
For those pursuing the National Payroll Institute’s PCP designation by taking course equivalencies through McMaster Continuing Education without pursuing our academic certificate, please note the following requirements:
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 (PAY 101)
- Payroll Fundamentals 1 (PAY 102)– Prerequisite: Payroll Compliance Legislation
- Payroll Fundamentals 2 (PAY 103)– Prerequisites: Payroll Compliance Legislation and Payroll Fundamentals 1
- Introduction to Accounting (ACC 925)
- PCP Work Experience Requirement Application (a minimum of one year weighted payroll work experience)
For more information regarding PCP designation, visit www.payroll.ca or e-mail the Certification department at certification@payroll.ca.
Courses (Complete all 5)
3.0 UNITS
ACC 925
Introductory Financial Accounting
3.0 UNITS
BUS 850
Business Communications
3.0 UNITS
PAY 101
Payroll Compliance Legislation
3.0 UNITS
PAY 102
Payroll Fundamentals 1
3.0 UNITS
PAY 103
Payroll Fundamentals 2
Canadian PAYROLL MANAGEment (CPM) CERTIFICATE
Pursue your Canadian Payroll Management (CPM) Certificate with McMaster Continuing Education
Explore the requirements below and register today!
Information Box Group

Canadian Payroll Management (CPM) Certificate
Earn your Canadian Payroll Management (CPM) Certificate by completing all 5 required courses listed below.
Students may choose elective course ACC 928 or HRM 817 to complete certificate requirements.
Canadian Payroll Management (CPM) Certificate Requirements
Academic credit: 15 units
Students must be a member of the National Payroll Institute with a Payroll Compliance Practitioner designation and meet the weighted payroll experience prerequisite prior to registering.
Students must submit a Payroll Experience Prerequisite Application and receive approval from the National Payroll Institute before enrolling for PAY 201.
All courses require a passing grade of 65% in order to be accepted toward Certified Payroll Manager designation.
If you have already completed courses through the National Payroll Institute, please visit our transfer credit page for more information.
Students must first register with McMaster Continuing Education and pay the course fees. They must also register with the National Payroll Institute and pay the Institute’s course fee and the membership fee to receive course materials and access the learning platform. Students should register with the Institute no later than 10 business days before the start date of the course.
For more information regarding CPM designation, visit www.payroll.ca or e-mail the Certification department at certification@payroll.ca.
Courses (Complete all 4)
3.0 UNITS
HRM 821
Organizational Behaviour
3.0 UNITS
HRM 898
Compensation
3.0 UNITS
PAY 202
Applied Payroll Management
Courses (Complete 1 of 2)
3.0 UNITS
HRM 817
Business Finance & Accounting
Payroll Courses
Payroll Courses
Advance your career with online Payroll courses
Explore course options below and register today!
PAYROLL COMPLIANCE PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATE
3.0 UNITS
ACC 925
Introductory Financial Accounting
3.0 UNITS
BUS 850
Business Communications
3.0 UNITS
PAY 101
Payroll Compliance Legislation
3.0 UNITS
PAY 102
Payroll Fundamentals 1
3.0 UNITS
PAY 103
Payroll Fundamentals 2
Canadian Payroll Management Certificate
3.0 UNITS
HRM 821
Organizational Behaviour
3.0 UNITS
HRM 898
Compensation
3.0 UNITS
PAY 202
Applied Payroll Management
3.0 UNITS
HRM 817
Business Finance & Accounting
*Students may choose elective course ACC 928 or HRM 817 to complete the Canadian Payroll Management certificate requirements.
Payroll Schedule
Payroll Schedule
This schedule table displays courses planned to be offered this year and is a guide to planning your courses for the academic year. Please note: Spring term registration opens mid-March and Fall/Winter term registration opens mid-July. The schedule table is subject to change. Please visit the course pages to browse classes currently available for registration and the latest cost information. The cost for Payroll courses is $618.48 – $771.08 per course.
Learning format definitions:
- VC = Virtual Classroom learning format
- O = Online learning format
- OSS = Online Self-Study learning format
For more information about our learning formats and to choose a format that works best for you, please visit our Learning Formats page.
Course Name (Course Code) | Winter 2023 | Spring 2023 |
---|---|---|
Introductory Financial Accounting (ACC 925) | Date: Thu, Jan 12 – Apr 6
Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC |
Date: Wed, May 3 – Jul 26
Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC |
Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15
Format: OSS |
Date: May 15 – Oct 15
Format: OSS |
|
Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15
Format: OSS |
Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15
Format: OSS |
|
Business Communications (BUS 850) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 16
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Aug 6
Format: O |
Date: Feb 13 – May 14
Format: O |
||
Payroll Compliance Legislation (PAY 101) |
|
|
Payroll Fundamentals 1 (PAY 102) | Date: Jan 11 – Apr 5
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 pm Format: VC |
|
Payroll Fundamentals 2 (PAY 103) |
|
Date: Wed, May 3 – Jul 26
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 pm Format: VC |
Organizational Behaviour (HRM 821) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 9
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 30
Format: O |
Date: Feb 13 – May 7
Format: O |
Date: Jun 19 – Sep 10
Format: O |
|
Compensation (HRM 898) | Date: Jan 16 – Apr 9
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 30
Format: O |
Date: Feb 13 – May 7
Format: O |
Date: Jun 19 – Sep 10
Format: O |
|
Introduction to Payroll Management (PAY 201) |
|
|
Applied Payroll Management (PAY 202) |
|
|
Introductory Management Accounting (ACC 928) | Date: Thu, Jan 12 – Apr 6
Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC |
Date: Mon, May 1 – Aug 14
Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC |
Date: Jan 15 – Jun 15
Format: OSS |
Date: May 15 – Oct 15
Format: OSS |
|
Date: Mar 15 – Aug 15
Format: OSS |
Date: Jul 15 – Dec 15
Format: OSS |
|
Business Finance & Accounting (HRM 817) | Date: Jan16 – Apr 9
Format: O |
Date: May 8 – Jul 30
Format: O |
Date: Feb 13 – May 7
Format: O |
Date: Jun 19 – Sep 10
Format: O |