Canadian Payroll Association (CPA)
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The Canadian Payroll Association (CPA) has been representing employers’ payroll interests since 1978, through its mission of Payroll Leadership through Advocacy and Education and its values of Community, Professionalism and Authoritative Knowledge.
As the authoritative source of payroll knowledge in Canada, the CPA influences the operational, compliance and technology processes of payroll service bureaus, software providers, hundreds of thousands of small, medium and large employers, as well as federal and provincial tax authorities.
The CPA advocates on behalf of employers to federal and provincial/territorial governments, proactively influencing payroll- and benefits-related legislation to enable all stakeholders to administer them in an efficient and effective manner.
As the source of payroll education and advocacy, the CPA delivers certification, professional development programs, and products and services that enable payroll practitioners to enhance operations, meet new legislative requirements and utilize emerging technologies.
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[edit] Background
CPA was founded in 1978 by a group of payroll pioneers who proposed changes to the first Record of Employment (ROE) form. Be part of Canada's growing payroll community. Make valuable industry contacts by joining a community of over 12,500 organizations and individuals committed to the advancement of the payroll profession.
Payroll practitioners annually pay over $700 billion in wages and benefits, $220 in statutory remittances, and $77 million in health and retirement benefits, and produce over 30 million T4s and RL-1's on behalf of Canada's 1.5 million employers, all while complying with 185 federal and provincial legislative acts and regulations.
[edit] Certification
The CPA offers two Certifications. Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) and Certified Payroll Manager (CPM). The required courses for each designation are:
| Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) | Certified Payroll Manager (CMP) |
|---|---|
| Payroll Compliance Legislation | Payroll Management Processes |
| Payroll Fundamentals 1 | Organizational Behaviour Management |
| Introduction to Accounting | Managerial Accounting |
| Payroll Fundamentals 2 | Compensation and Benefits Management |
| Payroll Management Practices |
Certification holders are required to:
- Adhere to a Professional Code of Conduct;
- Maintain Professional Membership with the CPA; and
- Participate in Continuing Professional Education (CPE).
Course Information
The payroll courses are offered at over 50 post-secondary institutions and 90 campuses across Canada. The courses are also offered through an instructor led online program that starts every month.
Why Get Certified?
A professional certified by the CPA at either the Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) or the Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) level has differentiated themselves from others who are not certified by achieving pre-determined levels of competency.
A certification holder has:
- validation of their knowledge;
- formal recognition by peers and colleagues;
- an enriched resume for job seeking;
- knowledge and skill sets that are transferable to other jobs;
- the authority to include the certification acronym after their name on a business card; and
- increased opportunities for promotion or higher salary; the 2007 Robert Half/Accountemps Salary Guide indicates that job seekers can increase their salary range by up to 10% by obtaining a professional certification.
Certification holders also enhance the reputation of their organizations by ensuring:
- a lower risk, as the work is done by a competent certified professional;
- the ability to benchmark and establish best practices through a network of other payroll professionals; and
- enhanced credibility and profile, as all staff are certified in their area of expertise.
[edit] Professional Development
The CPA holds more than 350 professional development seminars across Canada each year to address key payroll topics. From Learning Payroll I and II which covers the basics, to Taxable Benefits and Year-end, there is something to offer payroll newcomers and seasoned professionals alike.
The CPA's Annual Conference & Trade Show, held in a different city each year, is the premier payroll networking event featuring more than 50 educational and keynote sessions. It also includes the largest payroll trade show in Canada with lots of networking opportunities.
National Payroll Week (NPW) is the largest annual public relations initiative of the Canadian Payroll Association. NPW recognizes the accomplishments of payroll professionals, the payroll community and The Canadian Payroll Association (CPA), by building greater awareness of the size and scope of payroll and its impact on business, government and employees across Canada.
