Payroll Compliance Practitioner

The National Payroll Institute's (formerly the Canadian Payroll Association) PCP designation is the foundation for a successful career in payroll. Obtaining your designation will help you gain an in-depth understanding of the legislative requirements to keep your organization compliant throughout the annual payroll cycle. When you get certified, you join a growing community of supportive professionals and gain access to the resources you need to stay current and compliant.

PCP certification requires three core payroll courses, an Introduction to Accounting course transfer credit, and one year of weighted payroll work experience:

Courses

1. Payroll Compliance Legislation (MGPC 001)
2. Payroll Fundamentals 1 (MGPF 001) – Prerequisite: Payroll Compliance Legislation
3. Payroll Fundamentals 2(MGPF 002) – Prerequisites: Payroll Compliance Legislation and Payroll Fundamentals 1
4. Introduction to Accounting - must be completed at an approved post-secondary institution.

Upcoming Schedule

Steps to becoming a Payroll Compliance Practitioner

Step 1

Register for payroll with Vancouver Island University. Note: Students must achieve a minimum of 65% on final exams and 65% for each course.

Step 2

Register for an approved accounting course. This can be done at the same time or before an individual registers for the three core payroll courses. The accounting courses at VIU are outside of the Professional Development and Training Department's jurisdiction. Individuals will apply to be admitted to the course as non-regular students. 

The following introductory VIU accounting courses are approved by the National Payroll Institute:

• ACCT 101 Accounting for Non-Financial Managers
• ACCT 100 Financial Accounting I
• ACCT 294  Intro to Cost and Managerial Accounting
• OADM 121T Accounting I (part of the Office Administration Program; must have been enrolled in the program)
• OADM 122T Accounting II (part of the Office Administration Program; must have been enrolled in the program)

Check the 'Generate Timetable' to determine when accounting courses are available.

Note: Students may also choose to transfer an accounting course from another approved institution.

Contact the program assistant for more information on how to apply for an accounting course at VIU.

Step 3

The National Payroll Institute has a dual registration process.  This means in addition to paying VIU tuition for the course students must also register with the National Payroll Institute and pay the Institutional course fee ($340/course) and the student membership fee ($99/year) to receive their course materials and access to the learning platform.

Students should register with the Institution no later than ten business days before the start date of the course to ensure the timely delivery of the printed course materials and access to the online learning platform. For all registrations processed by the deadline described above, the printed course material will be shipped to your preferred mailing address by FedEx (a tracking number will be emailed to you) and you will be granted access to the learning platform 1-2 business days prior to the course start date.

You can download the course registration form from the National Payroll Institute, under Certification / All Forms / Classroom Registration Forms.  Students enrolled at VIU shall be considered part-time students with the National Payroll Institute. Please download and fill in the part-time form application.

Step 4

Complete one year of weighted experience. 

To become a certified Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) individuals must complete a minimum of one-year of weighted payroll work experience (Work Experience Requirement Application (WERA). 

Note: You have five years to complete all the certification requirements to obtain your Payroll Compliance Practitioner certification.

For more information visit the National Payroll Institute, or email the Certification Department at certification@payroll.ca.

Program Contact: Koren Bear, Program Coordinator, Professional Development and Training (Faculty of Management)

Email: Koren.Bear@viu.ca

Pre-requisites: None

For more information please send us an email to PDT@viu.ca.