APA Membership . . .

has risen to over 23,000 Payroll Professionals and continues to grow, demonstrating the high level of interest on the part of the payroll community participating in the wide range of activities available to APA members.

Anyone engaged in payroll administration . . .

and/or related fields is eligible for APA membership. APA proudly represents a true cross section of the payroll profession made up predominantly of payroll managers from all 50 states, with a growing constituency in Puerto Rico, Canada, and other foreign nations, whose payroll informational needs are as diverse as the number of employees paid and as demanding as the number of states and countries in which they pay.

Members enjoy a wide range of benefits:

Member Publications

Payroll Currently

APA's electronic biweekly payroll compliance newsletter is delivered free to members by e-mail as a benefit of APA membership. Now in its 15th year, Payroll Currently features include Payroll Solutions, an in-depth Q & A; Inside Washington, the latest from the APA's Government Relations office; a subject index of the current year's issues; and a monthly compliance calendar. Current issue and archive available in Members Only area.

PAYTECH

The APA's official membership publication, PAYTECH is the industry's primary source for information about payroll and related fields. The monthly magazine covers payroll management, technology, new and pending legislation, professional development, and trends that are shaping the payroll industry and profession. Departments include Chapter Network, Direct Deposit Directions, Payroll Points, State Issues and Government Corner. An electronic version of PAYTECH is available in the Members Only area.

PAYTECHonline

The APA's monthly e-magazine, PAYTECHonline is the sister publication to PAYTECH magazine. PAYTECHonline presents payroll-related news in a convenient format. Members scan the news in digest form and then click on links to go to the complete stories on the PAYTECHonline web pages. PAYTECHonline provides the latest news on tax legislation and compliance, updates on payroll technology, links to government agencies and vendors, payroll buyer's guides, news from local chapters, previews of upcoming payroll events, and materials that cannot appear in the printed PAYTECH due to space limitations. View current issue.

Pay News Network

The APA is launching a new network for payroll news and updates -- Pay News Network (PNN). This video webcast will provide updates on payroll, accounts payable and association news. View current webcast.

Compliance Updates

APA members receive breaking payroll news on laws, regulations, and forms via e-mail and on APA's Web site. As liaison to government agencies impacting payroll, the APA delivers authoritative updates on federal and state legislative and regulatory developments.

APA Payroll ListServ

This one of the payroll industry's most powerful research and networking tools. The ListServ allows members to exchange ideas on payroll-related issues and to post questions for fellow members to answer. Members share insights on an unlimited range of topics and special circumstances. Members can join the ListServ in the Member's area under ListServ Sign-up.

APA Survey of Salaries and the Payroll Profession

One of the most effective ways to ensure your professional development is in line with your peers is to compare current survey data. Free to active members at time of publication, APA's Survey of Salaries and the Payroll Profession is a biennial source of information on compensation and benefits, payroll trends and technology, operations, management and cost data that keeps you abreast of what's happening in payroll departments nationwide. The 2007 edition of the Survey was sent to all APA members in October 2007 with PAYTECH magazine.

APA Web Site

www.americanpayroll.org

Members have exclusive access to the Members Only area of the APA Web site. This area contains searchable databases of the membership directory and chapter listings with contact information. Only members have access to special reports, downloadable forms and publications, and online archives of APA member publications.

On the public portion of the Web site, you can shop at the APA Store, order APA products, register online for APA seminars and conferences, visit the Paycard Portal and much more.

Chapter Network

More than 140 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.

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)

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 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, Kronos Incorporated awards one Kronos Payroll Education Grant and one Kronos 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.

Get more information about the 2008 Education Grants.