Free Payroll Principles Course. Study online, at your own pace, in around 4 hours. This level 2 payroll principles qualification covers the core legislation, processes, and regulations behind running a company payroll. Three modules take you through payroll roles and responsibilities, the PAYE system, National Insurance, data protection, payslips, statutory payments, and payroll year end. No formal entry requirements. Some basic familiarity with Microsoft Word is helpful but not essential. You'll earn a payroll principles certificate on successful completion.
Who this course is for
There are three lessons within the Payroll Principles course which cover the following: Lesson One: You’ll start by learning to understand what Payroll is, the roles and responsibilities of payroll, requirements of Real Time Information (RTI), understanding the differences between employed and self-employed, overview of employee rights. Lesson Two: You’ll look at what employee information is held by a business, the importance of data protection, the purpose of a P45 or starter checklist, how the PAYE system works, student loan repayments, recognising the different elements on a payslip. Lesson Three: In the final lesson you’ll cover statutory payments, including Statutory Sick Pay, Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Payroll Principles Payroll Principles is a great short course that can be studied in just 4 hours. The course is designed to teach those new to payroll the theory behind the practicalities of running a business’s company payroll. Transforming careers. Changing lives. Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay. You’ll then look at the steps to follow when an employee leaves and the process to follow at payroll year end.
Entry requirements
There are no formal pre-requisites for this course but some prior knowledge of Microsoft Word would be advantageous
What you will learn
You'll understand what payroll is and the roles and responsibilities involved in running it.
You'll learn the requirements of Real Time Information (RTI) and employment status rules.
You'll explore employee rights and the difference between employed and self-employed status.
You'll understand what employee information a business holds and how data protection applies.
You'll learn how the PAYE system works, including National Insurance and student loan deductions.
You'll understand the purpose of a P45 and a starter checklist.
You'll learn how payslips are structured and what they must contain.
You'll cover statutory payments including sick pay, maternity, paternity, and adoption pay, plus how to process leavers and handle payroll year end.
How you will learn
You study entirely online, working through three self-paced modules. Each module covers a distinct area of payroll, from legislation and employee information to statutory payments and year end. You complete the course in your own time. On successful completion you receive a certificate confirming you have finished the course.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Pitman Training Wetherby will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Payroll administrator, processing employee pay and deductions
Payroll clerk, handling day-to-day payroll records
Accounts assistant, supporting finance teams with payroll data
HR administrator, managing employee records and pay queries
Bookkeeper, covering payroll as part of a broader finance role
Office administrator, taking on payroll duties in a small business
What you could study next
Computerised Payroll Course using Sage Business Cloud Payroll. The natural next step after this introduction, giving you hands-on practice running a payroll on software employers use.
AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting. Broadens your finance knowledge and opens doors to accounting roles alongside payroll.
Level 3 Payroll qualification. Deepens your understanding of complex payroll scenarios and supports progression to senior payroll roles.
