IAB Level 3 Diploma in Computerised Payroll

(Qualification Accreditation Number 500/3283/5)

Please call our centre team on 0208 992 4144 or Vishva Punjabi on 078966 86964 for course enquiries & fees

INTRODUCTION

The overall aim of the qualification is to accredit candidates’ knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles relating to the basic calculations and preparation of both weekly and monthly payrolls, using some manual routines for the calculation of Gross Pay. In addition, it accredits some book-keeping skills of candidates in performing the routine tasks of calculating the cost of wages to the employer and other management reports which may be prepared manually.

Within the qualification, candidates have the opportunity to expand their skills in preparing the payroll for various income tax and National Insurance calculations under the PAYE scheme, for employee including directors.  Candidates also have the opportunity to develop their understanding of other fundamental procedures introduced at Level 2.

Candidates are also introduced to the setting up and processing of expenses and benefits that the employee may receive from their employer, and the processing of month end and year end procedures.  The syllabus also deals with the treatment of termination payments, and the practice relating to both further routine and some non-routine tasks including analysis of departmental wages costs and an introduction to Pension Administration.

Candidates will develop the skills to identify the necessary information on the system, interpret the information and print the relevant reports.

The manual and computerised processing of more advanced payroll data, such as changes to hours worked, increased hourly rates of pay, bonuses and commissions are important elements of the IAB Level 3 Diploma in Computerised Payroll qualification.

To be awarded the qualification, candidates are required to successfully demonstrate their competence in by means of one external examination.  The qualification will also provide further progression to the NVQ in Payroll Administration at Level 3.  Candidates will receive acknowledgement of successful completion of this qualification by means of formal letter and Certification.

AIMS

In summary, the qualification aims to enable candidates to:

1. Develop their understanding of more advanced aspects of day-to-day payroll procedures and how to apply them to a computerised system.
2. Develop skills in dealing with the NIC for directors and the information required by the commercial software to calculate NIC for a director.
3. Develop an understanding of the processing of redundancy and further termination payments.
4. Develop further skills to perform routine and some non-routine payroll tasks.
5. Understand the importance of accuracy, security and statutory responsibilities in performing any payroll task.

Upon completion, candidates should progress in their learning to further develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in;·         Using more advanced aspects of a computerised payroll system incorporating use of commercial payroll software.·         Using the information provided as a basis for calculating costs of production, administration, selling and distribution.·         Ability to produce further management reports in relation to payroll and payroll costs.

TARGET GROUP

The IAB Level 3 Diploma in Computerised Payroll is specifically designed to appeal to those who are aspiring to become professional payroll administrators.

The Level 3 qualification is primarily designed for the following candidates:

1. Those who already have some payroll experience and who wish to acquire further skills and knowledge required of payroll administrators.
2. Those candidates who already hold the IAB Level 2 Certificate in Computerised Payroll and Level 3 Diploma in Payroll. 
3. Those who are already employed in payroll administration or allied roles and who wish to enhance there firm foundation and the knowledge and skills to perform some advanced routine and non-routine tasks using commercially available payroll software.
4. Those preparing for or undertaking an NVQ in Payroll Administration at Level 3 or Technical Certificates at that level, who wish to underpin this with a thorough grounding in the fundamental knowledge, understanding and skills associated with producing and processing a payroll at that level using commercially available payroll software.
5. Those who may wish to continue to a higher level of study in Payroll and related subjects and qualifications. 

STATEMENT OF LEVEL

This qualification has been designed to assess the knowledge and skills of Payroll Administration at Level 3 of the National Qualifications Framework.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

In order to embark on a course leading to the qualification, candidates must be numerate and have basic skills in numeracy and communication. Information regarding equivalent qualifications can be found via the IAB website (www.iab.org.uk) or by contacting the IAB directly.  It is recommended that before commencing a course leading to the IAB Level 3 Diploma in Computerised Payroll the prospective student has already achieved the IAB Level 2 Certificate in Computerised Payroll and the IAB Level 3 Diploma in Payroll.  Alternatively, they should have comparable prior knowledge and skills acquired through paid or voluntary work experience.

The candidate does not need to provide evidence of a qualification at Level 2 to the IAB to enable entry for the examination but the Centre/tutor will be required to confirm, through signature on the examination entry form, that they consider that the candidate has either an IAB Level 2 Certificate in Computerised Payroll and IAB Level 3 Diploma in Payroll, a qualification recognised as equivalent by the IAB or acquired the relevant prior knowledge and skills necessary. 

Candidates who are studying independently (ie not undertaking a course of study through an IAB accredited centre either by attendance or distance learning), will be required to confirm by their own signature on the examination entry form that either they have an IAB Level 2 Certificate in Payroll or IAB Level 2 Certificate in Computerised Payroll, a qualification recognised as equivalent by the IAB or acquired the relevant prior knowledge and skills necessary.As the examination tests the application of knowledge, understanding and skills and not simply the recall of facts, candidates will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the subject area and to apply this knowledge in the examination.

Information regarding equivalent qualifications can be found via the IAB web-site (www.iab.org.uk) or by contacting the IAB directly.

PROGRESSION

This qualification has been designed to provide the essential knowledge, understanding and skills required to complement and enable candidates to progress to other related qualifications at Level 3 of the National Qualifications Framework.The candidate can further progress to NVQ Level 4 in Payroll Administration and related qualifications.   It will also provide progression to AS levels in Accounting and related units in the Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE) qualifications.

 THE STRUCTURE OF THE QUALIFICATION

This is a single unit qualification divided into nine Learning Outcomes and sub-divided into a number of Assessment Criteria.

Teachers/trainers may find it necessary to address the Learning Outcomes in a set order initially but after the completion of initial tasks on advanced aspects of Gross Pay, teachers/trainers may proceed with any order but should ensure that learning programmes are designed to meet the needs of individual candidates. 

ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

All Learning Outcomes will be assessed through one externally set and marked examination of two hours and 30 minutes, consisting of a series of practical using commercially available payroll software, and theoretical tasks.  Each Task will build on the previous one and will assess the candidate’s ability in relation to one or more Learning Outcomes with associated Assessment Criteria.  Two or more theoretical questions will be asked to cover the Learning Outcomes not practically assessed in the examinations.Candidates will be required to carry out all tasks accurately and in keeping with payroll practice. Faults will be incurred where candidates make errors in entering data, calculating advanced aspects of gross pay including termination payments, directors national insurance, additional expenses and benefits,  processing month end and year end procedures, or following required procedures. In order to achieve a Pass, candidates will be required to complete the assessment tasks without exceeding the permitted error tolerance.To achieve the qualification, candidates must obtain at least 65%.  Such candidates are categorised into four grades, namely: Distinction with Commendation; Distinction; Credit and Pass.  Candidates obtaining less than 65% are categorised into Marginal Fail and Fail.

PASS FAIL MARKS/PERCENTAGES 

A*    DISTINCTION WITH COMMENDATION                  95% and above

A      DISTINCTION                                                            85 – 94.99%

B      CREDIT                                                                      75 – 84.99%

C      PASS                                                                          65 – 74.99%

M      MARGINAL FAIL                                                      60 – 64.99%

F      FAIL                                                                           Below 60%

Candidates may sit the Examination on either the specific dates set and published by the IAB or on dates set by Centres on an ‘On-demand’ basis.  Centres are advised to consult the IAB Centre Handbook on the IAB website (www.iab.org.uk) or contact the IAB for details of how to arrange an 'On-demand' examination.  All necessary security of candidate data and information will be undertaken by the IAB.

CERTIFICATION

All candidates who achieve a Pass grade in the examination will be informed of their achievement in an official IAB Results Letter sent within ten weeks following the examination.  Additionally candidates who pass will receive the IAB Level 3 Diploma in Computerised Payroll.