Overview of apprenticeship
Payroll Administrators will, typically, have responsibility for setting up and operating the payroll within the organisation in which they are employed or on behalf of another organisation. The role may be located within a business / organisation or in a payroll bureau, bookkeeping or accounting practice, or professional services company. The job may sit within the HR or Finance function.
In medium to large organisations, a Payroll Administrator may work as part of a team, often reporting to a team leader, supervisor or manager. In smaller organisations, a Payroll Administrator may be a stand-alone role with sole responsibility for the payroll function. Additionally, and depending on their role within the organisation, a Payroll Administrator may also have responsibility for the accurate and timely completion of routine and non-routine payroll-related calculations and other information.
The main duties may typically include:
- Gathering, creation and processing of payroll-related information to ensure employees are paid on time and accurately. This will be via payroll software, though it's use must be accompanied by the ability to perform this manually
- Compliance with legislative and contractual obligations
- Internal and external reporting of payroll information to deadlines
- Effective and appropriate communication with employees and relevant stakeholders
- Working to relevant ethical and professional standards in a legislative and regulatory environment that is constantly changing
Delivery Plan and Assessment
All Apprentices must spend 20% of their of their time on programme completing Off-The-Job training, this includes independent study, internal training, and any shadow shifts. Apprentices will be supported by 1:1 meetings in the workplace by their dedicated Programme Tutor.
Learners will complete a blended learning model which will mainly be made up of digital learning such as webinars, online study and research. Learners will also have the opportunity to attend group study sessions which are designed to embed what they are learning digitally.
Learners will be required to complete an End Point Assessment at the end of their learning.
Where will this course take me?
Whilst studying this apprenticeship, an Administrator will have membership of The Payroll Centre included, and also be eligible for free professional body recognition as an apprentice member at the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP). They will be eligible to join the Global Payroll Association (GPA) as well. Successful completion of the apprenticeship will provide eligibility to apply for Associate membership of the CIPP.
Completion of the Payroll Administrator Apprenticeship may provide progression opportunities to more senior positions such as Team Leader, Supervisor or Manager within Payroll, or to move to related roles in departments such as HR, Finance or Pensions.
Down to business, what can I do and what can I earn?
Your wage is decided by your employer however must meet the National Minimum Wage regulations https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates.
Entry requirements
Whilst any entry requirements will be a matter for individual employers, typically an apprentice might be expected to have already achieved 5 GCSEs including Maths and English, Grade C or above or 4/5 (new grading). Some employers will accept other relevant qualifications and experience, including a relevant Level 2 qualification.
Apprentices without English and Maths at Level 2 must achieve these prior to taking their End Point Assessment.
Qualifications
On completion of the apprenticeship, you will have achieved:
- Full Payroll Administrator Level 3 Standard.
- Working with The Payroll Centre for Technical knowledge delivery (Option for this to be converted via The Payroll Centre to a Level 3 qualification after apprenticeship completion)
- Skills for Success - This module is designed by West Suffolk College to ensure you have all the personal skills and behaviours to succeed in the workplace.
- Any required Functional Skills in English or Maths.
How is this funded?
Learners
Apprentices are not required to contribute financially towards Apprenticeship training.
Employers
If you are an employer with an annual wage bill of £3 million or more, you will pay into an apprenticeship levy. This levy is then used to pay for the training element of the apprenticeship course. The total figure for the Apprenticeship is negotiated before enrolment and once confirmed will be taken in monthly payments from your account directly to us or paid to us via invoice should additional fees be required.
If you are an employer with an annual wage bill of under £3 million, the Government will fund 95% of the training fee meaning you will be required to contribute 5%. You may be required to contribute additional fees which we will invoice the company for. The additional fees will be made known and negotiated prior to the Apprentice enrolment.
There are additional incentives available if you are a small employer (under 50) and if you train/recruit a 16-18 year old or 19-24 year old with an Education Health and Care Plan.
Contact us on 01284 716235 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details of costs and how Apprenticeships are funded.
Try out our apprenticeship levy calculator here
I'm interested. What should I do now?
You apply for an Apprenticeship in the same way you would apply for a job: find an apprenticeship vacancy, send in your CV or complete an application. We can help you with applications and give you interview advice. Please view the following page on our website to see our latest Apprenticeship vacancies.
Apprenticeship Vacancies: https://www.wsc.ac.uk/find-a-course/apprenticeships/vacancies
Alternatively, you can look on the GOV.UK website to see what other Apprenticeships vacancies may be available: https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch
Employers - Please contact us to speak with a member of the Apprenticeship Team for more information and to organise a face to face visit.
Days & times
Please contact us for dates and further information