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Advancing Proficiency in U.S. Payroll Fundamentals

5.0 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star
Based on 18 ratings
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ADP Learning Academy

Welcome to Advancing Proficiency in U.S. Payroll Fundamentals, the fourth course in ADP's Entry-level Payroll Specialist Professional Certificate program.

Module 1 focuses on the responsibilities of an employer as it relates to net pay, tax deposits, and filings.

Module 2 will explore the taxes employers are responsible for withholding from their employees' paychecks.

Module 3 explores the regular deposits and filings required by most employers in the U.S.

Read more

Welcome to Advancing Proficiency in U.S. Payroll Fundamentals, the fourth course in ADP's Entry-level Payroll Specialist Professional Certificate program.

Module 1 focuses on the responsibilities of an employer as it relates to net pay, tax deposits, and filings.

Module 2 will explore the taxes employers are responsible for withholding from their employees' paychecks.

Module 3 explores the regular deposits and filings required by most employers in the U.S.

This is an entry-level course intended for beginner learners interested in learning the fundamentals of payroll, those pursing an entry-level Payroll Specialist role, and more experienced professionals looking to shift their career to purposefully focus on the area of a Payroll Specialist.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: Getting to Net Pay
This module will provide you with the knowledge to understand all the variables that contribute to the transformation of gross pay into net pay.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Tailor-made for beginners looking to step into Payroll Specialist roles and seasoned professionals aiming to sharpen their expertise
Delves into the intricacies of employer responsibilities, including net pay calculation, tax withholdings, and regulatory filings
Provides a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of U.S. payroll fundamentals
Emphasizes practical knowledge and best practices for managing payroll processes, making it immediately applicable in the workplace
Covers essential aspects of payroll, such as tax deposits and filings, ensuring compliance with U.S. regulations

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Reviews summary

Foundational u.s. payroll for new professionals

According to students, this course provides a strong, practical foundation in U.S. payroll, highly suited for entry-level professionals and those new to the field. Learners consistently praise its clear explanations, well-structured modules, and the knowledgeable instructor who makes complex topics accessible. The inclusion of real-world examples and up-to-date content ensures the material is highly relevant. While one experienced learner found it too basic for "advancing proficiency," the vast majority found it to be a comprehensive and confidence-building resource for understanding employer responsibilities regarding net pay, taxes, deposits, and filings.
The material is practical and updated to reflect current regulations.
"I found this course incredibly practical. The focus on employer responsibilities for net pay and taxes was very relevant to my job. The material is up-to-date and clearly explained."
"Very relevant and current. The course tackles crucial topics like unemployment taxes effectively. I appreciated that it was updated to reflect recent changes..."
Complex payroll topics are broken down and explained clearly.
"The course content was engaging and the instructor was knowledgeable. I appreciated the real-world examples that made the concepts easy to grasp."
"As someone new to payroll, this course was a lifesaver. It broke down complex topics into digestible parts and built my confidence."
"The explanations were clear, and the examples provided excellent clarification."
"I was initially intimidated by payroll, but this course made it accessible. The way they explained net pay calculations and various deductions was brilliant."
Delivers a comprehensive and practical understanding of payroll.
"Very informative, well presented and taught me a lot. This course really opened my eyes and helped me understand the importance of payroll from an employer perspective."
"Excellent course! The modules were well-structured and easy to follow. I gained a solid understanding of U.S. payroll fundamentals..."
"A foundational course that really delivers. It covers all the essentials needed to understand payroll operations from a fundamental level."
"An excellent foundation. It really helped me bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application."
A few older sections had minor video quality issues but excellent content.
"My only minor gripe is that some of the video quality was a bit low in older sections, but the content itself was excellent."
Some learners desired more interactive exercises for practical application.
"The content is solid, but I felt some parts could benefit from more interactive exercises. The lectures were informative, but more practical application would enhance the learning experience."
Ideal for new learners, but potentially basic for experienced professionals.
"I highly recommend for anyone interested in the payroll field and especially for those looking to start out."
"This course was a lifesaver. Highly recommend for entry-level professionals."
"The course felt very basic for someone with a few years of accounting experience. ... Might be better for absolute beginners..."
"...not for anyone looking for depth beyond the absolute basics."

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 Advancing Proficiency in U.S. Payroll Fundamentals with these activities:
Review Payroll Fundamentals
Refreshing your knowledge of payroll fundamentals will strengthen your foundation for the course material.
Show steps
  • Read through the course syllabus and identify the key payroll concepts to be covered.
  • Review your notes or textbooks from previous courses or certifications.
  • Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your understanding of the fundamentals.
  • Seek clarification from the instructor or a tutor if needed.
Follow Payroll Tutorial Series
Following a tutorial series will provide you with a structured and comprehensive overview of payroll concepts and practices.
Show steps
  • Find a reputable online or in-person payroll tutorial series.
  • Set aside dedicated time to work through the tutorials.
  • Take notes and summarize the key points.
  • Complete the exercises and assignments provided in the tutorials.
  • Ask questions and seek clarification when needed.
Complete Payroll Practice Problems
Solving practice problems will help you solidify your understanding of payroll calculations and prepare you for real-world scenarios.
Show steps
  • Gather practice problems from the course materials or online sources.
  • Read the problem carefully and identify the key information.
  • Use the formulas and methods taught in the course to solve the problem.
  • Check your answer against the provided solutions or consult with an expert.
  • Review your mistakes and identify areas where you need improvement.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Calculate Employee Paychecks
Practicing the calculation of employee paychecks will enhance your ability to perform this task accurately and efficiently.
Show steps
  • Gather employee time cards, pay rates, and deduction information.
  • Calculate gross pay for each employee.
  • Apply applicable deductions and taxes.
  • Calculate net pay.
  • Review your calculations for accuracy.
Create Your First Pay Run
Following these tutorials will build your confidence, intuition, and knowledge around the tax-filing process.
Show steps
  • Review the provided documentation.
  • Follow along with the video tutorials.
  • Practice and create your own pay run.
  • Compare your results and troubleshoot any issues.
Attend Payroll Workshop
Attending a payroll workshop will provide you with hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of specific payroll topics.
Show steps
  • Research and find a relevant payroll workshop.
  • Register for the workshop and prepare any necessary materials.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in the discussions and activities.
  • Follow up with the workshop organizers or speakers to clarify any questions or points.
Create a Payroll System Mockup
Developing a mockup of a payroll system will allow you to apply your knowledge of payroll concepts in a practical setting.
Show steps
  • Design the user interface and functionality of the payroll system.
  • Develop a data model to store employee information, payroll transactions, and reports.
  • Create mock data to populate the payroll system.
  • Test the payroll system to ensure accurate calculations and reporting.
  • Document the design and functionality of the payroll system.
Create a Payroll Tutorial
Creating a tutorial will allow you to synthesize your knowledge of payroll and reinforce your understanding of the subject matter.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific payroll topic to focus on.
  • Gather information from the course materials and additional resources.
  • Organize the information into a logical flow.
  • Create the tutorial using a platform or format of your choice (e.g., video, written article, presentation).
  • Share your tutorial with others.

Career center

Learners who complete Advancing Proficiency in U.S. Payroll Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

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Course image
Rating
5.0 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star
Effort
13 hours to complete
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)
Instructor
ADP Learning Academy
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Tailor-made for beginners looking to step into Payroll Specialist roles and seasoned professionals aiming to sharpen their expertise
Delves into the intricacies of employer responsibilities, including net pay calculation, tax withholdings, and regulatory filings
Provides a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of U.S. payroll fundamentals
Emphasizes practical knowledge and best practices for managing payroll processes, making it immediately applicable in the workplace
Covers essential aspects of payroll, such as tax deposits and filings, ensuring compliance with U.S. regulations
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