Online Human Resource and Payroll Management Course

Specialize as an HR Professional with Payroll Management Training

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Human resource (HR) functions are central to every organization's success. Within the HR field, specialties such as payroll administration offer career advancement opportunities for both entry-level and established HR professionals. This 100% online course will teach you the skills and strategies essential for a career in HR with a specialty in payroll administration.

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Job Outlook for Specialized Human Resource Professionals

Overall, HR professionals are expected to experience significant job growth for the foreseeable future. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects 7% job growth for HR managers between now and 2028. This is much faster than average growth projections for all jobs.

The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) encourages HR job seekers to consider the precise skills their ideal careers involve, then pursue specializations within the HR field.

One of those specializations, payroll processing, offers salaries averaging $40,250 per year, according to employment experts at Robert Half.

FAQs about Specialized Human Resource Professionals

WHAT DO HUMAN RESOURCE SPECIALIST CAREERS INVOLVE?
Human resources functions can generally be divided into "generalist" and "specialist" jobs. HR generalists often serve smaller companies and organizations by providing a full range of HR operations, from recruiting and staffing to benefits, worker's compensation and payroll administration. In larger organizations and in many virtual or remote HR operations, HR specialists focus on a single work area or function such as payroll. HR specialists have more technical responsibilities than those of the generalist. 

WHAT ARE THE LEADING HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIZATIONS?
Recruitment and placement, compensation and benefits, labor relations, and training and development are among the leading specializations for HR professionals. Payroll administration is a part of the compensation and benefits area. 

WHAT DOES PAYROLL ADMINISTRATION INVOLVE?
Payroll administration specialists oversee the compensation process for the organizations they serve. Their work may involve tracking time and attendance, issuing payments, overseeing payroll-related concerns and issues and tax and regulatory compliance. 

IS CERTIFICATION IMPORTANT FOR HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALISTS?
Certification signals to employers, colleagues, and the HR community that a candidate for employment takes the HR profession seriously. Credentials such as the Human Resource Certification Institute (HCRI’s) Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certificate indicate that a professional has undergone an organized study program and exhibited excellence on a professionally-prepared exam.

Course Objectives

Human Resources Professional

Prepare to take and pass the PHR Certification Exam

Attain a broad overview of human resources practices

Acquire skills for handling recruitment, performance appraisals, and training processes

Learn to practice strategic decision making for compensation and job evaluation

Understand relevant U.S. laws and regulations regarding employment practices

Understand OSHA rules governing employee health and safety

Know strategies for implementing retention initiatives

Payroll Practice and Management

Master the mathematics and formulas for calculating wages and taxes

Learn the benefits and compensation programs commonly offered by employers

Understand the regulations governing payroll practices, including the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the Internal Revenue Code

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Prerequisites and Requirements

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, HRCI requires that you meet one of the following criteria to be eligible for the PHR certification exam:

  • Master’s degree or higher = 1 year of work experience in a professional level HR role
  • Bachelor’s degree = 2 years of work experience in a professional level HR role
  • Anything less than a bachelor’s degree = 4 years of work experience in a professional level HR role

Curriculum

Human Resources Professional

INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RESOURCES
Learn about opportunities in the HR field and the skills you will need for success.   

HR’S ROLE IN STRATEGY
Learn how to create compelling vision and mission statements, policies, and metrics grounded in business strategy.  

RECRUITING AND HIRING EMPLOYEES
Understand how to write a job ad that will attract candidates, effectively review résumés, properly prepare for an interview, and formally make a job offer.

TRAINING PROGRAMS
Learn the basics of training, including the design, development, implementation, analysis, and evaluation of training programs. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Understand all the things that must be considered when designing a compensation and benefits package. 

EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND SAFETY
Learn the ins and outs of complying with OSHA, protecting against workplace hazards, and investigating, recording, and preventing accidents and employee illnesses. 

THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT
Gain knowledge of employment law as well as an understanding of equal employment opportunity, avoiding discrimination, and what happens when an employee files an EEOC claim. 

MAKING HR DECISIONS
Learn how to make decisions based on various company growth strategies and how to use HRIS Software as well as job analysis as a tool for decision-making.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Learn the full spectrum of affirmative action, how to create an affirmative action plan, and information on the AAP you will need to know.

DIVERSITY
Understand what diversity is and why it is a good thing in an organization as you learn to manage it and handle conflict.

EMPLOYEE RIGHTS AND DISCIPLINE
Learn the laws that protect employee rights and privacy and how to monitor and document behavior and discipline employees properly.

TERMINATION
Understand the alternatives to firing as well as how to prepare for termination including proper separation agreements as well as what to do in the event of wrongful discharge.

INVESTIGATIONS
Learn why it is so important to investigate problems as well as the steps of an effective investigation including preparing, conducting, and wrapping it up.

MANAGING LABOR RELATIONS
Get a quick overview of the history of unions as you learn how they work and why employees join them. 

CREATING A HIGH-PERFORMANCE WORKPLACE
Learn how to ask employees for input and act on it, delegate authority, keep communication open, and continuously ask for feedback as you strive to develop a high-performance workplace.

GLOBAL HUMAN RESOURCES
Understand the basics of staffing strategy, cultural differences, HR in other countries, choosing global employees, and issues faced by expatriates.

RETENTION
Learn the top reasons employees leave a company and how you can encourage them to stay as well as the importance of succession planning. 

MOTIVATION, REWARDS, AND RECOGNITION
Find out fun ways to motivate workers and gain nine strategies for creating a great rewards program.

PREPARING FOR THE PHR EXAM
Gain information on externships and internships as you review the basics of the PHR exam and begin to study.

HRCI & SHRM LogosPayroll and Practice Management

INTRODUCTION TO THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA)
History, amendments and coverage provided by the FLSA; overview of jurisdictions, audits and penalties when not abiding by FLSA guidance

CLASSIFICATION OF WORKERS
How employees are categorized and protected under the FLSA 

WHITE COLLAR EXEMPTIONS
Understanding the differences between exempt/nonexempt employees and how they are compensated 

CALCULATING GROSS PAY
Overview of the Rule of Constructive Receipt; calculating minimum wage, pay deductions, hours worked and overtime 

SPECIALIZED PAYROLLS, EMPLOYEES, OR REGULATIONS
Regulations effecting public sector and hospital employees; Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), Davis-Bacon Act, Walsh-Healey Act McNamara-O'Hara Service 

STATE WAGE AND HOUR LAW
Relevant areas of law; state listings 

FEDERAL INCOME TAX
Definition of federal taxation; EIN and Form SS-4, FICA taxes and Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) 

STATE TAXES
Types of taxes, including multi-state taxation; state tax chart 

EMPLOYEE WITHHOLDING ALLOWANCE CERTIFICATE (FORM W-4)
Basic requirements and withholding allowances 

WAGES AND COMPENSATION
Types of compensation and payroll periods; state requirements for supplemental wages 

WAGE AND TAX REPORTS
Completing employer's quarterly federal tax return (Form 941) and Form 941-X 

FRINGE BENEFITS: DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Overview of fringe benefits, including 401(k) plans, 403(b) tax sheltered annuities and Section 457 plans 

FRINGE BENEFITS: TAX PREFERRED COMPENSATION
Overview of tax preferred benefits, including Section 125 Plans (cafeteria plans), Section 129 Plans and flexible spending accounts (FSA) 

FRINGE BENEFITS: OTHER BENEFITS
Overview of additional benefits, including adoption and educational assistance, relocation expenses and stock options 

FRINGE BENEFITS: HEALTH, LIFE, ACCIDENT, AND SICK PAY BENEFITS
Overview of insurance benefits, including healthcare, life insurance, and workers' compensation 

INTERNATIONAL PAYROLLS
Handling payroll for noncitizen employees, including expatriates, resident aliens and nonresident aliens; IRC Section 911 

GARNISHMENTS (71)
Understanding how garnishment factors into employee compensation; types of garnishments, including child support withholding, medical support orders, tax levies, and bankruptcies

YEAR-END AND YEAR BEGINNING
Verifying employee names and social security numbers; preparing and filing Year-End tax forms 

PAYROLL ADMINISTRATION
Payroll systems, controls, and direct deposits; dealing with the IRS 

MANAGING THE PAYROLL DEPARTMENT
Best practices and procedures for administering a payroll department and managing payroll staff;auditing for fraud and disaster recovery

Instructors

Anna Smith

Anna Smith has worked in the field of human resources for 30 years and has taught at the university level for over 20 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Spalding University, a master's degree in management from Webster University, and a Master Online Teaching certificate from the University of Illinois. She is also a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional. Her experience spans many areas of human resources, including recruitment, labor relations, and affirmative action plans.

Helene K. Liatsos

Helene K. Liatsos is a business advisor and QuickBooks Certified Advisor with more than 25 years of experience. She consults for a range of companies, from travel agencies to startups. The U.S. Small Business Administration awarded her company Home Office Management Experts the 2004 Home-Based Business of the Year. Helene holds a Bachelor of Arts from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Registration and Enrollment

This course is 100% online. Start anytime.

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