Payroll certificate
Payroll and Accounting Certificate
Facts checked 7 September 2026
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Part of the route toPayroll Administrator·Certificate
A six to eight month college certificate teaching Canadian payroll legislation, employee remittances, taxable benefits, and accounting systems.
Ways to get this paid for
Government money that can cover this course. Check who qualifies before you pay.
Free adult upgrading
FreeGrade 11 and 12 courses and English classes are free at public colleges and school districts. This covers the Grade 11 and 12 prerequisite courses, not the program itself.
WorkBC training funding
Up to $7,500 tuitionIf you are out of work or underemployed, a WorkBC case manager can approve and pay for this training. Get approval before you pay.
Canada Training Credit
Half your tuition back, up to $5,000 in your lifeFederal tax credit. $250 a year builds up from age 26. Claim it on your tax return.
BC Access Grant
Up to $4,000 a yearFor low and middle income students in full-time programs under two years at public schools. Assessed when you apply through StudentAid BC.
THE ROUTE
How this program works, step by step
Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.
The route (8 steps)
For the best view, open the map full screen.
STEP BY STEP
Step by step
The same route as the map, as a list.
Step 1 of 8
Grade 11
⏱ 1 school year- Foundations of Math 11 or Accounting 11 with minimum 67%
- Foundations of Math 11 or Pre-Calculus 11 with a minimum of 67%
Step 2 of 8
Grade 12
⏱ 1 school year- BC High School Graduation (Dogwood Diploma). Requirement varies by school (Langara College, Douglas College, National Payroll Institute). Strictest requirement: standard completion.
- English 12. Requirement varies by school (British Columbia Institute of Technology, Douglas College). Strictest requirement: C.
Step 3 of 8
What you need to get in
- Public polytechnic offering; National Payroll Institute course alignment not yet verified
- Basic computer proficiency including Microsoft Excel
- English language proficiency (Level 3 or equivalent)
- Introductory bookkeeping course prerequisite or demonstrated accounting equivalent
- Completion of 3 core payroll courses: Payroll Compliance Legislation, Payroll Fundamentals 1 & 2
Step 4 of 8
How to apply
- Apply online directly through BCIT or local public college business portal
- Submit high school or post-secondary transcripts
- Select full-time daytime cohort or flexible online part-time schedule
- Tuition: Not published
Step 5 of 8
Payroll certificate
⏱ 6 to 8 months- 6 to 8 months of comprehensive coursework in payroll calculations, employment standards, and statutory deductions
- Payroll Compliance Legislation: Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, and Income Tax Act
- Payroll Fundamentals: calculation of regular pay, overtime, vacation, terminations, and taxable benefits
- Accounting software training in QuickBooks, Sage, and enterprise ERP payroll modules
Step 6 of 8
Where to take it
⏱ 4 schools in BC- British Columbia Institute of Technology — 1 year (Tuition not yet verified)
- Douglas College — 1 year (About $3,700 per year)
- Langara College — 6–12 months (Tuition not yet verified)
- National Payroll Institute — 1 year (Tuition not yet verified)
Step 7 of 8
Exams and registration after
- National Payroll Institute (NPI) Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certification exams
Step 8 of 8
Leads to: Payroll Administrator
- Explore Payroll Administrator wages, job outlook, and career pathways
SCHOOLS
Where you can take this(4 schools)
Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.
We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.
We have not checked this school's tuition yet. See the school's page.