The payroll administrator plays a crucial role in organisations by processing payroll accurately and efficiently, ensuring compliance with regulations and internal controls. They deliver essential customer service to employers and employees, collaborating with HR, Finance, and external stakeholders by handling payroll queries effectively and staying updated on legislative changes and software advancements. This pivotal function is vital for maintaining financial integrity, employee satisfaction, and overall business success.
Typical Job Titles:
Delivery Model: Our comprehensive approach involves tailored online content, virtual workshops, specialised interactive classroom sessions, personalised one-on-one coaching, and additional customised learning, all crafted to suit individual needs within our blended delivery model.
Typical Duration to gateway: 15 Months
Typical EPA period: Up to 4 Months
This EPA has 3 assessment methods.
The grades available for each assessment method are:
Assessment method 1: Knowledge test – underpinning concepts:
fail
pass
distinction
Assessment method 2: Professional discussion underpinned by portfolio:
fail
pass
distinction
Assessment method 3: Project report with project output:
fail
pass
distinction
The result from each assessment method is combined to decide the overall apprenticeship grade. The following grades are available for the apprenticeship:
fail
pass
merit
distinction
EPAO: The apprenticeship End-Point Assessment is conducted by IPP Education Ltd. IPP Education Ltd is a subsidiary of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) and is the company through which the CIPP’s learning and development programmes are delivered. IPP Education are an Ofqual registered awarding organisation. As such, you can be assured that the final stage of your apprenticeship will be in safe hands.
Extras: Learners gain free affiliate membership to CIPP for 2 years. This supports CPD in payroll and links to a payroll community. Learners will have access to webinars and other relevant industry materials to stay ahead in their field.
Modules covered:
Business & customer awareness (2 Months)
Regulation & compliance (1 Month)
Payroll – technical (2 Months)
Pensions (1 Month)
Stakeholder engagement (2 Months)
Systems and processes (3 Months)
Detailed payroll processing & analysis (3 Months)
Careers to lead to: Payroll assistant manager, HR support, Workplace pensions (administrator or consultant), Professional accounting or taxation technician, HR consultant partner.
What’s Covered:
Understanding the programme, what’s involved and expectations. Activities from day 1 towards the standard and functional skills to support the apprentice journey and foster development to kick start the payroll administrator journey.
Delivery: Workshop
Duration: 1 Day
What’s Covered:
Organisational Operations
Compliance and Obligations
Role of the Payroll Department
Importance of the Customer Base
Honesty and Integrity
Adaptability to Business Changes
Sustainable Practices
Each of these key areas provides comprehensive coverage ensuring that apprentices gain a thorough understanding of organisational operations, compliance requirements, ethical principles, customer relations, adaptability, and sustainability practices within the UK sector.
Delivery: Interactive classroom sessions: 2 x 0.5 days
Duration: 2 Months
What’s Covered:
Taxation, Social Security, and Employment Legislation
Legislation Overview
Gender Pay Gap Reporting
Continuous Personal and Professional Development.
Delivery: Interactive classroom sessions: 0.5 day
Duration: 1 Month
What’s Covered:
Worker Types and Payroll Treatment
New Starter Obligations
Employment Law Considerations
Statutory Pay and Manual Calculations
Leaver Obligations
Devolution and Payroll Function
Types of Workers and Payroll Impact
Benefits-in-Kind and Year-End Reporting
Statutory Leave Entitlements and Payments
Statutory Deductions and Tax Principles.
Delivery: Interactive classroom sessions: 1 day + 1 x 0.5 days
Duration: 2 Months
What’s Covered:
State Pension and Pension Contributions
Pension Administration and Auto-Enrolment.
Delivery: Interactive classroom sessions: 1 x 0.5 day
Duration: 1 Month
What’s Covered:
Internal Interactions
External Interactions
Communication Media Selection
Professional Communication
Role Parameters and Team Dynamics
Collaboration and Support
Problem Ownership and Resolution
Complaint Handling.
Delivery: Interactive classroom sessions: 2 x 0.5 days
Duration: 2 Months
What’s Covered:
Spreadsheet and Payroll Software Utilisation
Post-Payroll Processes and Obligations
Integration of Systems and Processes
Data Input, Validation, and Output
Customer Service and Ownership
Meeting Deadlines and Prioritisation
Court Orders and Payroll Processing.
Delivery: Interactive classroom sessions: 1 day + 2 x 0.5 days
Duration: 3 Months
What’s Covered:
Statutory Regulation and Compliance
Data Gathering, Analysis, and Processing
Payroll Calculations and Types of Pay
Meeting Client Needs and Query Resolution
Full Payment Submission (FPS) and Employer Payment Summary (EPS)
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) Payments.
Delivery: Interactive classroom sessions: 1 day + 2 x 0.5 days
Duration: 3 Months
What’s Covered:
One-to-one coaching sessions tailored to support apprentices through assessment, giving the best backing for an effective achievement.
Delivery: Workshops, One to one coaching, Mock assessments
Duration: 1 Month
What’s Covered:
If required, Functional skills level 2 qualification in English & math’s.
Delivery: Specialised support, online workshops, tailored online content
Duration: From commencement: 6 Months
What’s Covered:
Agreement from all parties that the apprentice is working to the required occupational standard.
English & math’s L2 achieved (or RPL in place).
OTJ required hours met.
Submission of portfolio evidence.
Delivery: Tri party Meeting
Duration: 1 Day
What’s Covered:
This requires three assessments:
Assessment method 1: Knowledge test – underpinning concepts.
Assessment method 2: Professional discussion underpinned by portfolio.
Assessment method 3: Project report with project output.
Apprentices have a maximum of 8 weeks to complete and submit the project report to the EPAO.
Delivery: Assessments
Duration: 4 months
Throughout the programme, apprentices will also have access to tailored on demand content, 121 coaching from a designated skills coach and a variety of learning collateral to support the apprentice journey.
Reviews will take place every 4-6 weeks to monitor progress and formals being every 10-12 weeks with the employer and coach as part of a tri party process.