Payroll Professional

Program Description

Payroll professionals play a pivotal role in ensuring that employees are paid accurately and on time while also maintaining compliance with relevant regulations and laws.

This program features a course designed for experienced payroll professionals seeking compliance training, professional development, or certification as a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP). It focuses on enhancing the knowledge and skills required to ensure payroll compliance, avoid expensive penalties, and prepare for the CPP certification exam.

Students entering this program should have a strong sense of self-discipline, basic computer skills, organizational abilities, attention to detail, and proficient problem-solving skills.

Students will be better prepared to work effectively as Payroll Professionals. Jobs and careers in this field are available in a broad range of privately held companies, government agencies, and for-profit and non-profit organizations. Additional career information may be found in Career Coach: https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/​.

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:​

1. apply the knowledge and skills to function effectively as a payroll professional; 

2. prepare to gain employment as a payroll professional; 

3. research and identify several opportunities for continued professional development after credential attainment; and

4. demonstrate readiness to sit for the CPP certification exam.

CCBC Pathway

Business Pathway - Pathways are designed to help you meet your academic and career goals by aligning related courses and programs.  Pathway students participate in a variety of activities that help explore career opportunities in their field of study.  You can meet with a CCBC advisor who help align — or realign — your educational plan with the Pathway that best supports you and your goals.

Program Credentials

CCBC Credential:

Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, and will have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript). 

External Credential: 

Students will be prepared to sit for the Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) exam

Certifying Organization:

PayrollOrg, https://payroll.org​

Financial Aid and Payment Options

We offer financial aid by packaging public and private funding options to those who qualify, in select Continuing Education courses and programs. Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.

Some CE Workforce Development Certificate Programs are eligible for early high school funding through Maryland Blueprint for qualifying BCPS high school students.  Please check with your School Counseling Office to determine your eligibility for the BCPS Tuition Benefit Program. 

Program Length

3 months

Program Requirements

Required: High School Diploma or GED.

For CPP:

The payroll professional has been practicing for at least a total of three (3) years out of the five (5) years preceding the date of the examination application. The practice of payroll is defined as direct or related involvement in at least one of the following:

• Payroll Production, Payroll Reporting, Payroll Accounting, Payroll Systems, and Payroll Taxation
• Payroll Administration
• Payroll Education/Consulting

Contact PayrollOrg at https://payroll.org for details and current requirements. 

Hardware Requirements: This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

​Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 7 or later.
• Mac: macOS X with macOS X (10.11) or later
• Zoom must be fully operational before the course begins.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Any word processing application
• Other: Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Application Process

To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Continuing Education Workforce Certificate program application.  An email will then be sent with program information and any additional requirements necessary to apply for the program.

Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.

Prior Learning Assessment

This program has no options for obtaining course waiver(s) for prior learning.

Program Course Sequence

Additional Information

Additional Expenses:

CPP certification exam cost: Please check PayrollOrg, https://payroll.org​.

Career Coach

Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more.  View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA.  Explore career and training opportunities at https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.

Contact Information

​Program Coordinator: Julie Woo | jwoo@ccbcmd.edu |443-840-​4302​ | Owings Mills 305D

Administrative Assistant: Sarah Moore| smoore3@ccbcmd.edu | 443-840-​1632 |  Essex BESS 116