APA-CPP Exam Information and Guideline
Certified Payroll Professional
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Employers that wish to keep payroll in-house and at a high level of professionalism may wish to require payroll staff to become Certified Payroll Professionals (CPP). This certification can help to ensure that payroll staff members have advanced knowledge of payroll, payroll software, and applicable payroll legislation.
CRITERIA 1:
The payroll professional has been practicing for at least a total of three (3) years out of the five (5) years preceding the date of the examination application. The practice of payroll is defined as direct or related involvement in at least one of the following:
Payroll Production, Payroll Reporting, Payroll Accounting, Payroll Systems, and Payroll Taxation
Payroll Administration
Payroll Education/Consulting
CRITERIA 2:
Before a candidate takes the CPP examination, the payroll professional has been employed in the practice of payroll as defined in Criteria 1 for at least the last 24 months, and has completed within the last 24 months, ALL of the courses within ONE of the following three options offered by the APA:
Option 1
Payroll Practice Essentials and Intermediate Payroll Concepts and Advanced Payroll Concepts and Strategic Payroll Practices
Option 2
Foundations of Payroll Certificate Program and The Payroll Administration Certificate Program
Option 3
CRITERIA 3:
Before a candidate takes the CPP examination, the payroll professional has been employed in the practice of payroll as defined in Criteria 1, for at least the last 18 months, has obtained the FPC designation, and has completed within the last 18 months, ALL of the courses within AT LEAST ONE of the following three options offered by the APA:
High-level calculations to ensure payroll accuracy
• Complex laws and regulations
• Complicated issues such as benefits, third-party sick pay, and involuntary deductions
• Federal taxation, withholding, and reporting
Core payroll concepts
Compliance
Payroll calculation
Payroll process and systems
Payroll administration
Audits
Accounting