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Questions
I am a new payroll student. Where do I begin?
As a new student, you must enroll in the first course: Payroll Compliance Legislation. This course is available online, in classroom at local colleges/universities or through the challenge option. Click here to search for upcoming classes.
What is the cost of each course?
The cost depends on the method of study chosen. For current CPA members, online courses are $500 plus applicable taxes and challenge courses are $400 plus applicable taxes; click here for more information. Classroom courses vary by the institution offering the course. Non-members must register for CPA membership at the time of course registration by choosing the "New Member" status (annual membership fees are required).
How are grades determined?
The course breakdown differs depending on the method of study, level of certification and the course.
CLASSROOM
| Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCL, PF1, PF2) |
Certified Payroll Manager | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ONLINE / BLENDED LEARNING
| Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCL, PF1, PF2) |
Certified Payroll Manager | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Challenge (PCL, PF1, PF2)
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How long does each course run?
All courses offered by or for the CPA are based on a 42-hour schedule, including the final exam. This is the typical length of a post-secondary course in Canada. Click here to select the course in which you are interested to find out the time frame.
Before I enroll in one of the CPA's Certification Programs, will the CPA evaluate other courses that I have taken?
The CPA evaluates credentials only for those who have already enrolled in or completed the first core payroll course, Payroll Compliance Legislation. (See Question #1 for study options.)
Once you have completed Payroll Compliance Legislation, you may submit transfer credits for the non-payroll courses required in the CPA's Certification Programs. (See the following questions for credit transfer process.) You only have to transfer credits for the required non-payroll courses, as the CPA automatically enters the information on your payroll course results in your member profile.
How can I determine if courses that I have previously completed are acceptable as transfer credits for the required non-payroll courses?
The CPA publishes an online database of course equivalents offered at more than 180 post-secondary schools. Click here to search the database.
If a course does not appear on the CPA's online database, it simply means that the Certification Department does not yet recognize the course. A detailed course outline or description must be submitted to the Certification Department for assessment of each unrecognized course.
Each course submitted to the CPA's Certification Department must:
- Be equivalent to a Canadian post-secondary level course (high school courses or job-experience will not be evaluated).
- If non-Canadian, first receive a Canadian equivalency assessment from an accredited assessment agency.
- Be a minimum of 30 credit hours in length.
- Have a final method of evaluation worth at least 20%.
- Have been completed with a minimum grade of 60%.
- Have been completed within the last 10 years.*
*If you hold a related certificate, degree or diploma, the courses required are exempt from time restrictions and may be admitted for evaluation.
What is the process and fee to transfer a required non-payroll course into my file?
To transfer a required non-payroll course, you must be a CPA Member in good standing and a current or former student. You must send an original transcript along with the Transfer Credit Application. The transfer fee per credit is $50 plus applicable taxes. Click here to download the form.
Do I need to send in an original transcript? Will I be able to have this returned to me?
Yes, students must submit an original transcript. The CPA will return your original transcript if you indicate this on the Transfer Credit Application (see the checklist) and include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your transfer application.
My education was completed outside of Canada. How can this information be transferred into my CPA file?
The CPA does not assess education completed outside of Canada. To transfer this information into your file, you will need to have your previous education assessed by a Canadian educational institution or through an academic accreditation service.
I took a payroll course through another organization. Can I transfer it to the CPA's Certification Programs?
The CPA, the governing body for payroll in Canada, develops and annually updates the materials used to instruct the core payroll courses. The CPA does not accept external payroll courses for credit.
For those with previous payroll knowledge or experience, a challenge exam is available for each core payroll course in the Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) program. In the challenge option, your exam counts for 100% of your mark.
Can I apply my work experience for course credit?
The CPA does not evaluate non-academic credentials. Increasingly more post-secondary institutions provide this type of evaluation service, sometimes called Prior-Learning Assessment or Recognition, through their Continuing Education divisions. Contact your local college or university to find out what service they offer. If the post-secondary institution's review exempts you from one of the its course offerings, the CPA may also honour the credit.
Once I have completed all the required courses, how do I obtain my Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) or Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) certification?
Beginning January 1, 2010, individuals who complete the educational requirements for certification will be required to complete the Certification Declaration process to receive the Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) or Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) and use the certifications.
The online Certification Declaration process confirms that you understand the ongoing requirements that certified individuals must meet to obtain and maintain certification with the CPA. It will be included as a link in an email sent to students once they have completed the educational requirements of certification.
Once I am certified as a Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) or Certified Payroll Manager (CPM), what are the requirements to maintain the certification?
To maintain your certification, certified individuals must comply with the following three requirements:
- Maintain a membership with the CPA through a Professional membership or the Organization membership of their employer (annual membership fees are required).
- Adhere to the CPA’s Code of Professional Conduct.
- Meet the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements.
What are some of the courses that I can take for the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirement?
The principle supporting Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is that professionals should continue to participate in new learning to ensure that they are current in their field. This will provide professionals with lifelong career growth and viability. Click here to determine which new learning is best suited to you.
When do I start counting the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours?
You should start counting the hours from the month that you obtain your Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) or Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) certification.
- As a Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP), you are required to complete 14 hours of new learning per year.
- As a Certified Payroll Manager (CPM), you are required to complete 21 hours of new learning per year.