Payroll Certification - Certifying Payroll Career Success
The American Payroll Association offers two professional certifications: Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) and Certified Payroll Professional (CPP).
The Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
The FPC is an exam-based certification designed specifically for (1) entry-level payroll practitioners; (2) payroll, HR, and finance consultants; (3) sales, service, and technology professionals interfacing with payroll operations; and (4) systems analysts and engineers developing and implementing payroll software solutions.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
The Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation is an exam based certification attained by individuals who possess a high level of professional competency through both the acquisition of knowledge and direct payroll experience.
Payroll Education and Training
APA provides a wide range of payroll and training opportunities. APA members receive special discounts on webinars, classes, seminars, virtual classes, conferences, and other educational opportunities. In addition, members become eligible for special grants, awards, and programs.
Payroll Education Grants
Each year, the APA awards six Payroll Education Grants to encourage the professional development of APA members. The largest grant includes one registration and round-trip travel to the APA Congress, registration for any or all APA seminars for one year, and all APA products and publications for one year. APA awards another five grants, two of which provide recipients with free seminar registrations, and three of which provide free copies of The Payroll Source®.
In addition to the APA Payroll Education Grants, in 2010 Kronos Incorporated and Global Cash Card will each award one Payroll Education Grant and one Payroll Publication Grant.
Each grant applicant must be an active APA member in good standing with a minimum of 3 years working in the payroll profession. APA employees and officers, members of the APA Board of Directors, Board of Advisors, and National Speakers Bureau are not eligible for these grants.
Application and details about the Education Grants.
GEM
Global Cash Card and its partners are proud to announce a GEM (Global Cash Card Educates Members With MasterCard) of a program for free APA Memberships and up to four $500 prepaid cards redeemable for APA seminars, workshops, and other education programs. To learn more about how easy it is to receive these benefits, visit www.globalcashcard.com/GEM/.
Chapter Network
More than 150 APA-affiliated local chapters located throughout the U.S. operate autonomously within the APA national guidelines. Chapters provide members with outstanding networking opportunities, shared information, and professional development resources. Many chapters organize state and regional conferences, conduct CPP and FPC study groups, and spearhead the celebration of National Payroll Week.
Representation in Washington, DC
The APA works to influence the legislative and regulatory processes that so greatly impact payroll's daily environment by testifying at Congressional, Treasury, and IRS hearings and meetings. The APA also influences the operational and policy decisions of the IRS, SSA, and the Department of Labor by sending representatives to sit on prestigious federal advisory committees and participate in dozens of industry meetings with the government each year. From recommending changes to employment tax forms to commenting and testifying on payroll regulations and law changes, the APA provides the leadership expected from a professional association.
Promoting the Payroll Profession
APA continually strives to increase awareness of the importance of payroll and the payroll professional's role in the U.S. business community and among the general public. Developing cooperative relationships with related associations in the human resources, accounting, tax, and finance arenas; advertising in major business publications; educating the public through NPW's National Education Day; and promoting payroll through National Payroll Week -- all are examples of steps APA has taken toward accomplishing this goal. APA is frequently called upon by national media to provide perspective on payroll and related issues.
