Operations & Systems

Payroll Fundamentals

Run Payroll Right the First Time, Every Pay Run.

12 lessons4 modules9h 15m durationbeginner level

Instructor: StretchLearn Faculty

About this course

Payroll is the one process where a small mistake becomes a government penalty, an unhappy employee, or both. This course teaches payroll as a repeatable monthly and bi-weekly system: register the right accounts, classify workers correctly, calculate gross-to-net with CPP/EI/income tax in Canada and FICA/FIT in the US, remit on the exact schedule the CRA or IRS assigns you, issue Records of Employment and year-end T4s or W-2s, and reconcile it all without surprises. Worked examples use real numbers and 2024 rates, and the software lessons compare named tools (QuickBooks Payroll, Wagepoint, Ceridian Powerpay, Gusto, ADP RUN, Rippling) so you can choose and run one with confidence.

Curriculum

Module 1: How Payroll Works and Setting It Up Right3 lessons

What Payroll Actually Is and the People InvolvedPreview45m
Registering Payroll Accounts and Getting Set Up🔒45m
Employee vs Contractor and Pay Frequency Choices🔒45m

Module 2: Gross-to-Net: Calculating Pay and Deductions3 lessons

From Hours and Salary to Gross Pay🔒45m
Canadian Deductions: CPP, EI, and Income Tax🔒50m
US Deductions: FICA, Federal, and State Tax🔒50m

Module 3: Remitting to the Government On Time3 lessons

Canadian Remittances: Knowing Your Remitter Type🔒45m
US Remittances: Federal Deposits and Form 941🔒45m
Recording Payroll in Your Books and Reconciling🔒45m

Module 4: Year-End, Records of Employment, and Software3 lessons

Records of Employment and Employment Separations🔒45m
Year-End: T4s, W-2s, and Reconciliation🔒50m
Choosing and Running Payroll Software🔒45m