Free Level 1 Payroll Course in Islington – Capital City College Finsbury Park Campus

CostFREE
Duration22 weeks
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
Start27 Jan 2027
Study modePart-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyVTCT awarding body

About this course

Free Level 1 Payroll Course in Islington. Classes run at Capital City College Finsbury Park Campus, part-time during the day. The course runs for 22 weeks, making it manageable alongside other commitments. You'll learn how to process payroll using computerised software, work with Real Time Information requirements, and prepare employee payroll records using HMRC Basic PAYE Tools or commercial payroll software. You'll also learn to calculate gross pay from a range of information sources. Entry requires an Entry Level 3 standard in English and Maths, confirmed at an initial assessment and interview.

Who this course is for

This course will equip you with an understanding of basic payroll procedures and also help those who wish to become professional payroll processors.You will develop the skills required to prepare, check, and use source documents used to process payroll, using a computerised payroll system in line with Real Time Information requirements. You will also develop skills that will enable you to gather the required information to prepare an employee payroll record using either the HMRC Basic PAYE Tools kit or commercially available payroll software.The course will also teach you how to calculate employees' gross pay using a simple range of information sources, for either weekly or monthly pay periods.

Entry requirements

The only requirement for this course is that you have an Entry 3 level of knowledge in both English and Maths. For English, candidates must have achieved Entry 3 in reading and writing.All applicants must have an initial assessment and interview to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

What you will learn

  • You'll prepare, check, and use source documents to process payroll.
  • You'll operate a computerised payroll system in line with Real Time Information requirements.
  • You'll set up and maintain employee payroll records.
  • You'll use HMRC Basic PAYE Tools and commercial payroll software.
  • You'll calculate gross pay for employees paid weekly or monthly.
  • You'll understand basic payroll procedures and legal requirements.

How you will learn

You'll study in a classroom at Finsbury Park Campus, with hands-on practice using computerised payroll software. Learning is part-time during the day over 22 weeks. Assessment is through practical tasks and assignments that reflect real payroll processing work. All applicants have an initial assessment and interview before starting to confirm the course is the right fit.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Capital City College Finsbury Park Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Payroll administrator: processing employee pay using payroll software
  • Wages clerk: calculating and recording pay for a business
  • Payroll assistant: supporting a payroll team with data entry and checks
  • Accounts assistant: entry-level role in a finance or accounts department
  • Finance officer: handling financial records and transactions
  • Bookkeeper: recording day-to-day financial transactions for businesses

What you could study next

A Level 1 payroll qualification is a starting point. You could move on to a Level 2 Award in Computerised Payroll for Business to deepen your skills. From there, an AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting covers broader finance and bookkeeping skills that many employers look for. If payroll management interests you long-term, a Level 3 payroll qualification or an AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting opens doors to more senior roles.

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