The Payroll Cycle
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The Payroll Cycle
This course is part of ADP Entry-Level Payroll Specialist Professional Certificate
Instructor: ADP Learning Academy
22,316 already enrolled
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What you'll learn
Describe the step-by-step payroll processing cycle, including data collection, input, verification, calculation, and finalization.
Identify essential requirements for time tracking systems to accurately record/manage employee work minutes for payroll processing and compliance.
Explain the payroll-related tasks involved in employee on-boarding, such as tax withholding preferences, direct deposit, etc.
Describe the key components of year-end payroll processes, such as W-2 preparation, 1099 form distribution, and other required tax reporting.
Skills you'll gain
Tools you'll learn
Details to know
16 assignments
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There are 3 modules in this course
Welcome to The Payroll Cycle, the second course in ADP's Entry-level Payroll Specialist Professional Certificate program. This course explores the end-to-end payroll processing cycle, from data collection to net pay. Students will gain insights into the step-by-step process, including time tracking methods, leave management, new hire onboarding tasks, and potential bottlenecks.
This is an entry-level course intended for beginner learners interested in learning the fundamentals of payroll, those pursing an entry-level Payroll Specialist role, and more experienced professionals looking to shift their career to purposefully focus on the area of a Payroll Specialist.
This module will introduce you to a typical payroll cycle, describe the variety of challenges faced by a payroll department, and explore the 3rd-party resources available to assist in payroll processing.
What's included
12 videos7 readings6 assignments1 discussion prompt
12 videos•Total 47 minutes
- Professional Certificate Introduction•2 minutes
- Welcome to The Payroll Cycle!•1 minute
- The Payroll Cycle: Step-by-Step - Phase One•4 minutes
- The Payroll Cycle: Step-by-Step - Phase Two•5 minutes
- The Payroll Cycle: Step-by-Step - Phase Three•3 minutes
- Payroll Cycle Challenges•7 minutes
- Not Alone•5 minutes
- Payroll Period Considerations•2 minutes
- Collection Methods•4 minutes
- Timekeeping Best Practices•7 minutes
- Payroll Specialist Vignette: Sandra•4 minutes
- Getting Paid•2 minutes
7 readings•Total 115 minutes
- Course 2 Overview•10 minutes
- Roll Talk Blog: The Ultimate Guide to Payroll Processes and Procedures•20 minutes
- Spark Blog: Managing Payroll for Project-Based Companies•15 minutes
- Roll Talk Blog: How to Choose a Pay Schedule for Your Business •15 minutes
- Spark Blog: How a PEO Can Make Time and Attendance Management Easier •20 minutes
- ADP Insights: 10 Best Practices for Time & Attendance Professionals •20 minutes
- Spark Blog: What Is a Payroll Card?•15 minutes
6 assignments•Total 66 minutes
- Check Your Understanding•4 minutes
- Check Your Understanding•4 minutes
- Check Your Understanding•4 minutes
- Check Your Understanding•3 minutes
- Payroll Cycle: Check-In•6 minutes
- Introduction to the Payroll Cycle: Final Assessment•45 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 20 minutes
- Pay Method Pros and Cons •20 minutes
This module concerns occurrences that may occur infrequently but must be addressed correctly when encountered.
What's included
9 videos5 readings5 assignments
9 videos•Total 53 minutes
- Payroll Life Cycle Tasks•8 minutes
- Employee Leave Types•8 minutes
- Managing Leave•6 minutes
- Jackpot!•8 minutes
- A Proper Send-off•3 minutes
- Year-End Components•2 minutes
- HR{preneur} Podcast: 3 important tasks for closing out the year & what you need to know•11 minutes
- The Year-End Process•5 minutes
- Compliance Snapshot•3 minutes
5 readings•Total 175 minutes
- Spark Blog: How Leave Policies Can Help Improve Retention •15 minutes
- Spark Blog: A Mini-Guide for Handling Holiday Bonuses and Gifts •15 minutes
- Project Portfolio: Design a Bonus Policy •120 minutes
- ADP Insights: Offboarding Process•15 minutes
- Mentorships in Payroll: Your Journey Continues•10 minutes
5 assignments•Total 20 minutes
- Check Your Understanding•4 minutes
- Check Your Understanding•3 minutes
- Check Your Understanding•4 minutes
- Check Your Understanding•3 minutes
- Year-End Payroll: Check -In•6 minutes
In this module, you will learn how to audit your payroll process and learn ways to spot critical discrepancies.
What's included
7 videos6 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt
7 videos•Total 28 minutes
- Ensuring Payroll Accuracy: Understanding Audits and Reconciliation•5 minutes
- Best Practices for Audits and Reconciliation•4 minutes
- The Importance of Payroll Data•3 minutes
- Common Payroll Reports•5 minutes
- Common Payroll Errors•4 minutes
- Data Analysis Techniques•3 minutes
- Payroll Data Security•4 minutes
6 readings•Total 190 minutes
- Spark Blog: Proper Pre-Payment Practices: Validating your Payroll •15 minutes
- Spark Blog: What Is People Analytics?•15 minutes
- Spark Blog: How People Analytics Can Improve Pay Equity •15 minutes
- Spark Blog: The Secure Payroll Priority: Problems, Processes and Potential Partners•15 minutes
- Project Portfolio Assignment: The Payroll Multiverse•120 minutes
- Next Steps!•10 minutes
5 assignments•Total 18 minutes
- Check Your Understanding•2 minutes
- Check Your Understanding•3 minutes
- Check Your Understanding•3 minutes
- Reconciliation and Audit: Check-In•4 minutes
- Payroll Data: Check-In•6 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 30 minutes
- Consequences•30 minutes
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Reviewed on Oct 31, 2024
The Payroll Cycle course is an extraordinary course which helped me understand minute aspects of Payroll in detail
Reviewed on Oct 23, 2024
Very educational and helpful!! I am enjoying this learning process and will definitely stick with this!!!
Reviewed on Jul 20, 2025
Excellent course, covers all the basics of payroll.
Frequently asked questions
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
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