QuickBooks Payroll - QuickBooks Online from Udemy

QuickBooks Online payroll will describe the payroll process for a small business in detail, so bookkeepers, accountants, and business owners can better understand how to set up payroll, process payroll, and troubleshoot problems related to payroll.

This course will introduce the payroll set-up in the QuickBooks Online system, walking through payroll screens.

We will discuss payroll legislation that will affect payroll calculations within QuickBooks Online and list the payroll forms we will need to generate from Quickbooks Online.

The course will walk through the process of entering a new employee into the QuickBooks Online system and describe where the data would be received from in practice including Form W-4.

We will discuss Federal Income Tax (FIT) calculations within QuickBooks Online. The course will describe how FIT is calculated, what is needed for QuickBooks Online to calculate FIT, and how to enter the data into the accounting system.

The course will describe the Federal Income Contributions Act (FICA) and its components.

We will calculate social security and describe how QuickBooks Online will help with the calculations as we process payroll.

The course will calculate Medicare and describe how QuickBooks Online will help with the calculations of Medicare when we process payroll.

We will calculate Federal Unemployment (FUTA) and discuss how FUTA is related to state unemployment (SUTA).

The course will describe and calculate employer taxes and discuss which taxes are employee taxes and which taxes are employer taxes.

We will describe payroll journal entries and discuss how payroll data is populated in the QuickBooks Online reports and financial statements including the profit and loss and balance sheet.

We will discuss and enter both mandatory and voluntary deductions into the QuickBooks Online system.

The course will discuss retirement plan options, how to enter them into the QuickBooks Online system, and how they are used to calculate net income and payroll taxes.

We will work a comprehensive problem, processing payroll within QuickBooks Online. The comprehensive problem will use the paid QuickBooks Online feature.

The comprehensive problem will start very basic with one employee and will increase in complexity as we enter more benefits and payroll details each year.

What's inside

Learning objectives

List and describe payroll related legislation
Enter new employee information into quickbooks and describe where to get the data necessary to add a new employee
Set up and calculate federal income tax (fit)
Describe the federal income contribution act and its components
Set up and calculate social security
Set up and calculate medicare
Set up and calculate federal unemployment
Describe and calculate employer payroll taxes
Generate payroll journal entries from payroll reports
Generate and analyze form 941 employer's quarterly federal tax return
Generate and analyze form 940 employer's annual federal unemployment (futa) tax return

Generate and analyze forms w-2 & w-3
Reconciling year end payroll tax forms
Generate and analyze a payroll register and payroll reports
Describe mandatory and voluntary deductions and how they are entered into quickbooks online
List and describe types of retirement plans and how to set them up in quickbooks online
Enter comprehensive payroll problem into quickbooks online
Setup paid payroll in quickbooks online
Process payroll in quickbooks online
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List and describe payroll related legislation
Enter new employee information into quickbooks and describe where to get the data necessary to add a new employee
Set up and calculate federal income tax (fit)
Describe the federal income contribution act and its components
Set up and calculate social security
Set up and calculate medicare
Set up and calculate federal unemployment
Describe and calculate employer payroll taxes
Generate payroll journal entries from payroll reports
Generate and analyze form 941 employer's quarterly federal tax return
Generate and analyze form 940 employer's annual federal unemployment (futa) tax return
Generate and analyze forms w-2 & w-3
Reconciling year end payroll tax forms
Generate and analyze a payroll register and payroll reports
Describe mandatory and voluntary deductions and how they are entered into quickbooks online
List and describe types of retirement plans and how to set them up in quickbooks online
Enter comprehensive payroll problem into quickbooks online
Setup paid payroll in quickbooks online
Process payroll in quickbooks online
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Introduction

PDF Payroll Introduction

10 Payroll Introduction

12 Why Learn Payroll Using QuickBooks Online

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a detailed walkthrough of QuickBooks Online payroll, which is valuable for those managing payroll for small businesses

Covers payroll legislation affecting calculations within QuickBooks Online, which is essential for compliance

Explores the generation and analysis of key payroll forms like Form 941, Form 940, W-2, and W-3, which are crucial for tax reporting

Requires the paid QuickBooks Online feature to complete the comprehensive problem, which may be an additional cost

Focuses on QuickBooks Online, so learners should ensure this is the specific software they need to use

Reviews summary

Practical quickbooks online payroll guide

According to learners, this course offers a highly practical guide to managing payroll within QuickBooks Online. Students praise the clear explanations provided by the instructor, making complex topics accessible. The content offers comprehensive coverage of essential aspects, including calculating various taxes like FIT and FICA, understanding legislation, and navigating required forms such as Form 941, 940, W-2, and W-3. Learners found the hands-on demonstrations using the paid QuickBooks Online feature particularly helpful for gaining confidence in performing tasks directly within the software. While the overall sentiment is positive, some students noted minor discrepancies due to recent QuickBooks Online updates, which occasionally required slight adaptation. However, the core principles and processes taught remain highly relevant and applicable for bookkeepers, accountants, and business owners.

Pace good, some depth needed.

"The pace was good overall, not too fast to be overwhelming."

"I wished there was a bit more depth on specific state tax scenarios or complex deductions."

"Felt like some of the calculation explanations went a bit fast for a complete beginner like myself."

Covers essential forms and taxes.

"The course covers all the essential forms like 941 and W-2 needed for payroll processing."

"I appreciated the thorough breakdown of payroll taxes, including FIT, FICA, FUTA, and SUTA."

"Good coverage of legislation and what's needed to properly set up payroll in QuickBooks."

Instructor explains complex topics clearly.

"The instructor explains everything very clearly step-by-step."

"I found the explanations easy to follow and understand, even for payroll novices."

"Really broke down complicated concepts into simple terms that made sense."

Directly applicable to QBO payroll.

"I can now confidently process payroll in QuickBooks Online after taking this course."

"The hands-on examples in QuickBooks were incredibly helpful and true to real-world tasks."

"This course provided practical application to my actual work needs, allowing me to perform tasks immediately."

QBO updates cause minor differences.

"Noticed some minor interface changes in my current QBO version compared to the videos, likely due to updates."

"Had to look up where a few specific features or buttons were located after a recent QuickBooks Online update."

"The core principles work, even if the screens aren't identical, just needed slight adjustments."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in QuickBooks Payroll - QuickBooks Online with these activities:

Review Basic Accounting Principles

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Reviewing basic accounting principles will help you understand the journal entries and financial statement impacts of payroll transactions.

Browse courses on Accounting Principles

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Review the accounting equation (Assets = Liabilities + Equity).
Study the definitions of debits and credits.
Practice journalizing basic business transactions.

Read 'J.K. Lasser's Guide to Self-Employment'

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Understanding the tax implications of self-employment will help you advise clients who are business owners.

View J.K. Lasser's Small Business Taxes 2025: Your... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'J.K. Lasser's Guide to Self-Employment'.
Read the chapters related to self-employment taxes.
Take notes on key deductions and credits.

Read 'Payroll Accounting 2024'

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Reading a comprehensive payroll accounting book will provide a deeper understanding of the concepts covered in the QuickBooks Online payroll course.

View Wiley GAAP on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Payroll Accounting 2024'.
Read the chapters related to payroll taxes and reporting.
Take notes on key concepts and regulations.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Calculate Payroll Taxes Manually

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Practicing manual payroll tax calculations will reinforce your understanding of how QuickBooks Online calculates these amounts.

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Gather employee W-4 forms and payroll data.
Calculate federal income tax withholding using the percentage method.
Calculate Social Security and Medicare taxes.
Compare your calculations to QuickBooks Online's results.

Create a Payroll Process Flowchart

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Creating a flowchart of the payroll process will help you visualize and understand the steps involved.

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Identify the key steps in the payroll process.
Create a flowchart using a diagramming tool or paper.
Review the flowchart for accuracy and completeness.

Develop a Payroll Compliance Checklist

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Developing a payroll compliance checklist will help you ensure that you are meeting all legal and regulatory requirements.

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Research federal and state payroll regulations.
Create a checklist of compliance requirements.
Review the checklist with a payroll professional.

Answer Payroll Questions in Online Forums

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Mentoring others by answering payroll questions will reinforce your understanding of the material and help you identify areas where you need more practice.

Show steps

Find online forums or communities related to payroll.
Answer questions from other users.
Research answers to questions you are unsure about.

Career center

Learners who complete QuickBooks Payroll - QuickBooks Online will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialists are responsible for managing the end-to-end payroll process within an organization. This course on QuickBooks Online payroll may be useful, walking learners through payroll screens. The comprehensive problem, processing payroll within QuickBooks Online, is beneficial, starting very basic with one employee and increasing in complexity as we enter more benefits and payroll details each year. The course is valuable because it covers payroll legislation, tax calculations, deductions, retirement plans, and form generation, all within the QuickBooks Online platform. This specialization makes someone competent and capable of managing payroll efficiently and accurately.

See salaries and explore the career path for Payroll Specialist

Payroll Clerk

A Payroll Clerk is responsible for processing employee payments and maintaining payroll records. This course on QuickBooks Online payroll directly helps aspiring Payroll Clerks understand how to set up payroll systems, process payments, and troubleshoot related issues within a small business context, using QuickBooks Online. The course will introduce the payroll set-up in the QuickBooks Online system, walking through payroll screens. The course will walk through the process of entering a new employee into the QuickBooks Online system and describe where the data would be received from in practice including Form W-4. The comprehensive problem in the course, processing payroll within QuickBooks Online, will give learners hands-on experience and greater confidence.

See salaries and explore the career path for Payroll Clerk

Small Business Owner

Small Business Owners often manage many aspects of their business, and payroll is a critical function. This QuickBooks Online payroll course will introduce the payroll set-up in the QuickBooks Online system, walking through payroll screens. The course will describe the payroll process for a small business in detail, so bookkeepers, accountants, and business owners can better understand how to set up payroll, process payroll, and troubleshoot problems related to payroll. The course helps small business owners understand the complexities of payroll, from setting up the system to processing payments and generating reports. The comprehensive problem in the course, processing payroll within QuickBooks Online, will equip owners with hands-on experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Small Business Owner

Tax Accountant

Tax Accountants specialize in tax preparation and planning. This QuickBooks Online payroll course directly applies to this role. The course will generate and analyze Form 941 Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return. Also, the course will generate and analyze Form 940 Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment Tax Return. Also, the course will generate and analyze Forms W-2 & W-3. Understanding how these forms are generated and reconciled within QuickBooks Online is essential for tax accountants who work with small businesses using this software. They will be able to accurately prepare tax returns and provide informed tax advice.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tax Accountant

Bookkeeper

Bookkeepers maintain financial records for organizations. This QuickBooks Online payroll course may be helpful because payroll is a critical part of financial recordkeeping. The course will describe payroll journal entries and discuss how payroll data is populated in the QuickBooks Online reports and financial statements including the profit and loss and balance sheet. The course's focus on payroll legislation, tax calculations (FIT, FICA, Medicare, FUTA), and generating payroll reports directly applies to the responsibilities of a Bookkeeper. By mastering these skills within QuickBooks Online, bookkeepers can ensure accurate and compliant financial reporting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Bookkeeper

Tax Preparer

Tax Preparers assist individuals and businesses with preparing and filing their taxes. This QuickBooks Online payroll course may be helpful because it covers various payroll tax forms. The course will generate and analyze Form 941 Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return. Also, the course will generate and analyze Form 940 Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment Tax Return. Also, the course will generate and analyze Forms W-2 and W-3. Understanding how these forms are generated and reconciled within QuickBooks Online helps tax preparers accurately prepare tax returns for their clients, ensuring compliance and minimizing errors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tax Preparer

Accounting Assistant

An Accounting Assistant provides support to accountants and other financial professionals. This QuickBooks Online payroll course may be useful as it provides critical knowledge related to payroll, including the payroll process for a small business. The course will calculate social security and describe how QuickBooks Online will help with the calculations as we process payroll. The course will describe and calculate employer taxes and discuss which taxes are employee taxes and which taxes are employer taxes. The course offers insight into payroll legislation, tax form generation (Form 941, Form 940, W-2, W-3), and payroll reconciliations, all of which are tasks commonly handled by accounting assistants.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accounting Assistant

Benefits Administrator

A Benefits Administrator manages employee benefits programs, which often includes payroll deductions. This course discusses and enters both mandatory and voluntary deductions into the QuickBooks Online system. This QuickBooks Online payroll course may be useful because it specifically addresses mandatory and voluntary deductions. It also discusses retirement plan options, how to enter them into the QuickBooks Online system, and how they are used to calculate net income and payroll taxes. Learning how these plans are set up and managed within QuickBooks Online helps benefits administrators accurately process deductions and ensure compliance with benefit regulations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Benefits Administrator

Accounting Manager

Accounting Managers oversee the accounting operations of a company. This course on QuickBooks Online payroll is relevant because it covers payroll journal entries and discusses how payroll data is populated in the QuickBooks Online reports and financial statements including the profit and loss and balance sheet. A person will gain in-depth knowledge for overseeing payroll processes. Understanding payroll legislation, tax implications, and reporting requirements helps accounting managers ensure compliance and maintain accurate financial records.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accounting Manager

Compliance Officer

Compliance Officers ensure that a company adheres to laws and regulations. This QuickBooks Online payroll course is useful as it covers payroll legislation. The course will list and describe payroll related legislation. It also will set up and calculate Federal Income Tax. It also will describe the Federal Income Contribution Act and its components. Understanding these different components of compliance officers makes someone more effective in monitoring and enforcing payroll-related compliance within an organization. This helps minimize the risk of penalties and legal issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Officer

HR Generalist

An HR Generalist handles a wide range of human resources functions, including payroll administration. This QuickBooks Online payroll course may be helpful because it offers a comprehensive overview of payroll processes within QuickBooks Online. The course will walk through the process of entering a new employee into the QuickBooks Online system and describe where the data would be received from in practice including Form W-4. Understanding payroll legislation, tax calculations, deductions, and retirement plans equips HR generalists with the knowledge needed to manage payroll effectively and answer employee inquiries.

See salaries and explore the career path for HR Generalist

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts analyze financial data to provide insights and recommendations. This QuickBooks Online payroll course may be useful because gaining a better understanding of how payroll data is generated and reported within QuickBooks Online may assist someone to create a report. The course will describe payroll journal entries and discuss how payroll data is populated in the QuickBooks Online reports and financial statements including the profit and loss and balance sheet. Understanding the impact of payroll on financial statements helps financial analysts make informed decisions and provide accurate forecasts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Auditor

Auditors examine financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance. This QuickBooks Online payroll course may be useful because it covers payroll processes. The course will generate and analyze a payroll register and payroll reports. Understanding payroll legislation, tax form generation, and reconciliation procedures helps auditors assess the accuracy and compliance of payroll records within organizations using QuickBooks Online.

See salaries and explore the career path for Auditor

Business Consultant

A Business Consultant advises companies on improving their performance and efficiency. This QuickBooks Online payroll course may be useful for consultants working with small businesses using QuickBooks Online because payroll processes are common across all small businesses. The course will describe the payroll process for a small business in detail, so bookkeepers, accountants, and business owners can better understand how to set up payroll, process payroll, and troubleshoot problems related to payroll. Understanding the software makes them a better consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Consultant

Compensation Analyst

Compensation Analysts are responsible for designing, implementing, and managing compensation programs within an organization. This QuickBooks Online payroll course may be helpful because it may provide a better understanding of how payroll is processed within the QuickBooks Online system. By understanding how payroll is set up and processed in QuickBooks Online, a compensation analyst will be able to work more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compensation Analyst

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in QuickBooks Payroll - QuickBooks Online.

Wiley GAAP

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of payroll accounting principles and practices. It covers topics such as payroll taxes, employee benefits, and payroll reporting. It useful reference tool for understanding the complexities of payroll and ensuring compliance with regulations. This book is valuable as additional reading to supplement the course material.

J.K. Lasser's Small Business Taxes 2025

Save

Provides guidance on the tax implications of self-employment, including payroll taxes for business owners who are also employees. It covers topics such as deducting business expenses and understanding estimated taxes. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference. It is helpful in providing background knowledge.

J.K. Lasser's Small Business Taxes 2025: Your...

Paperback

QuickBooks Payroll - QuickBooks Online

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Practical quickbooks online payroll guide

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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