Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Master the end-to-end payroll processing cycle, from data collection to bank reconciliation and reporting.
• Accurately calculate gross pay, all mandatory and voluntary deductions, and net pay for various employee types.
• Ensure strict compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, including overtime and minimum wage regulations.
• Manage and process various pay complexities, such as bonuses, commissions, retro-pay, and severance payments.
• Understand and apply the rules for different tax withholdings, ensuring timely and accurate submission of payroll taxes.
• Implement robust internal controls, audit procedures, and reconciliation techniques to ensure data accuracy and prevent fraud.
• Manage payroll records, documentation, and year-end reporting requirements (e.g., W-2, 1099, tax filings) compliantly.
• Utilize payroll software and technology effectively for automation, reporting, and secure data management.

• Payroll Managers and Administrators
• HR Specialists and Generalists involved in compensation and benefits
• Accounting and Finance professionals responsible for payroll reconciliation
• Business owners and office managers of small to medium enterprises (**SMEs**)
• Auditors and Compliance Specialists focused on wage and labor laws

• Hands-on computational exercises practicing gross pay, deduction, and net pay calculations.
• Case studies analyzing legal compliance issues related to **FLSA** and wage/hour violations.
• Group activities designing a set of internal controls for a mid-sized organization's payroll department.
• Individual exercises reconciling a sample payroll register against a general ledger entry.
• Workshops on utilizing common payroll software features for reporting and auditing.

Unit 1: Foundations and Compliance

• The legal framework of payroll: **FLSA** and state-specific wage and hour laws
• Distinguishing between employee classifications (exempt vs. non-exempt; employee vs. contractor)
• The full end-to-end payroll lifecycle and its integration with **HR** and finance
• Best practices for time and attendance tracking and managing paid time off (**PTO**) accruals

Unit 2: Gross Pay Calculations and Complexities

• Mastering calculations for standard salary, hourly wages, and shift differentials
• Accurate calculation of overtime (including various weighted averages) and compensatory time
• Processing bonuses, commissions, tips, severance packages, and termination pay compliantly
• Handling retroactive pay and adjustments due to errors or policy changes

Unit 3: Deductions, Withholdings, and Tax Reporting

• Federal, state, and local income tax withholding procedures and documentation (e.g., W-4)
• Mandatory deductions: **FICA** (Social Security and Medicare) and court-ordered garnishments
• Voluntary deductions: health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, and flexible spending accounts (**FSAs**)
• Understanding the employer's tax liability and timely deposit requirements

Unit 4: Internal Controls and Audit Readiness

• Implementing robust internal controls: segregation of duties and approval workflows
• Payroll reconciliation procedures: balancing payroll registers to general ledger accounts
• Techniques for auditing payroll data to ensure accuracy and compliance proactively
• Strategies for managing and resolving common payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries

Unit 5: Technology, Administration, and Year-End

• Utilizing payroll software and **HRIS** systems for automation and reporting efficiency
• Best practices for secure storage and management of employee payroll records and data privacy (**GDPR/CCPA**)
• Managing the year-end process: W-2, 1099, and comprehensive annual tax reporting filings
• Strategies for effective communication of pay and benefit changes to employees transparently