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About the program

The Payroll Management program is designed for payroll practitioners who wish to elevate their career. It is the next step for Payroll Compliance Professional certification holders looking to enter a management position. Payroll Managers are responsible for developing and implementing best practices within a payroll department, by monitoring, motivating, assessing, and supervising personnel. Often times they are also tasked with solving payroll challenges and designing and building payroll systems. As a Payroll Compliance Professional, this program will build on the foundation of your experience and knowledge by covering core management subjects such as decision-making and project management and areas of Human Resources. These knowledge areas are essential to successful and effective leadership.

Courses in the Payroll Management program prepare students for their Payroll Leadership Professional designation with the National Payroll Institute.

Program information

All courses must be successfully completed within 5 years of acceptance into the program.

Admission requirements

  • Successful completion of Conestoga College's Payroll Administration program or an equivalent program from another institution recognized by the National Payroll Institute OR Payroll Compliance Professional certification through the National Payroll Institute.

    and
  • Minimum of two years experience being responsible for an organization's payroll function, which includes being accountable to management for the accuracy of employees' pay and all government statutory remittances, or equivalent experience (obtained in the past five (5) years).

Note re: admission requirements

Students must submit a Payroll Experience Prerequisite Application (PEPA) and receive approval from the National Payroll Institute prior to enrolling in the Introduction to Payroll Management course.

Admission procedures

  • Submit a completed Conestoga College Program Application Form.
  • Submit an offical transcript if from an institution other than Conestoga College. Review Apply to a Program to learn how.
  • Submit a detailed resume outlining the work experience admission requirement. Upload resume to your application or email as an attachment to admissions@conestogac.on.ca.
  • Final selection is made following an assessment of the admission requirements.

Graduate opportunities

The CPM certification is a valuable credential providing the management skills needed by seasoned Payroll Compliance Practitioners (PCP) certification holders to advance their career in payroll management. Currently, there is a shortage of certified Payroll Managers in Waterloo Region and neighbouring regions.
LMI data predicts that by 2024 the number of local jobs for Payroll Managers will increase by 16% in the region. There is job growth and demand for the CPM certification in the profession. The Hays Payroll Salary Guide 2018 also indicates that 17% of employers expect to increase the number of payroll employees in 2018 (hays.ca/payroll). Additionally, this report cites that individuals with the CPM designation are 56% more likely to obtain payroll management roles.

For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home

Program outcomes

  • Analyze the impact that payroll management in collaboration with other business units, such as HR, IT, and finance, play in an organization to maximize efficiency and effectiveness
  • Interpret policies and procedures to contribute to the development and administration of a total rewards system to meet stakeholder's expectations
  • Contribute to organizational strategic planning using a payroll management lens to ensure effective operations
  • Use a variety of management strategies to increase organizational effectiveness and promote continuous quality improvement while maintaining compliance within a payroll unit
  • Evaluate, implement, and maintain payroll processes and systems to comply with legislation and mitigate risk

Program related resources

Program contact

Continuing Education
Upcoming registrations

Mark your calendar with our registration dates, so you can plan your future.

Winter registration: Opens November 27, 2023
Spring registration: Opens February 26, 2024