Online Human Resources and Payroll Management Course
Prepare for the HRCI's Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification exam and the Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) exam.
Specialize as an HR Professional with Payroll Management Training
Prepare to learn key human resources (HR) and payroll fundamentals, covering important topics such as affirmative action and diversity considerations, effective retention strategies, recruiting, and hiring practices. You will also learn how to improve employee performance, manage remote work dynamics, and enhance workplace communication and motivation.
You will then delve into all critical areas of payroll administration and the intersection of HR and payroll, including key laws, like the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), as well as information on federal employment taxes, payroll forms, and different types of fringe benefits. You will even learn how to calculate gross wages and understand paycheck calculations, including taxes and deductions.
By completing this HR and payroll course bundle, you will become prepared for the Human Resource Certification Institute’s (HRCI) Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification exam and the Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) exam offered by the PayrollOrg. You will also learn useful information for other certification exams, including the SHRM's Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and HRCI's Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) exams.
Course Objectives
- Discover the comprehensive knowledge needed to sit for the FPC and the PHR, aPHR, or SHRM-CP certification exams
- Get a broad overview of human resources practices
- Obtain skills for handling recruitment, performance appraisals, and training processes
- Learn strategic decision-making for compensation and job evaluation
- Gain foundational knowledge of U.S. laws and regulations regarding employment practices
- Understand OSHA rules governing employee health and safety
- Review strategies for implementing retention initiatives
- Understand the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as well as the Internal Revenue Code
- Master the mathematics associated with calculating wages and taxes
- Learn the fringe benefits and compensation offerings that could be given by an employer
Human Resources and Payroll
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An HR specialist specializes in the HR basics and processes and thus performs that specialized task. However, an HR generalist is an all-rounder who works from recruitment to payroll to employee benefits.
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While a certification is not required to work as a human resources specialist, the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification is one of the most widely known and most respected credentials in the field of human resources. It is also a requirement by most employers before you are considered for higher-level human resources roles.
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There are no prerequisites for taking this course, other than basic computer knowledge. No HR experience is required to sit for the aPHR exam. You will need a high school diploma, but you don't need any additional education. Similarly, no HR experience or degree is required for the SHRM-CP exam; however, a basic working knowledge of HR practices and principles or a degree from a SHRM Academically Aligned program is recommended.
If you plan to take the PHR exam after completing the course, you will need one of the following:
- A minimum of one (1) year of experience in a professional level HR position with a master's degree or higher, OR
- A minimum of two (2) years of experience in a professional level HR position with a bachelor's degree, OR
- A minimum of four (4) years of experience in a professional level HR position with less than a bachelor's degree
Your Instructors
Instructor Interaction: The instructors look forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.
Anna Smith
Anna Smith has worked in the field of human resources for 30 years and has taught at university level for over 20 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Spalding University, a master's degree in management from Webster University, and a Master Online Teaching certificate from the University of Illinois. She is also a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional.
Ann Nevers
Ann Nevers holds a law degree and a master's in health law. She has work experience in employee management, hiring, training, and staff development. This includes motivating employees to work to their strengths, preparing new job descriptions, and looking for ways to improve workplace efficiency in a positive work environment.
Ann has used communication, problem-solving, and dispute resolution processes both formally and informally to effectively work through issues. In addition, she has experience both teaching and writing on a number of legal and workplace issues, including health care and employment law.
She is engaged in community volunteer activities, including prior work overseeing a women's organization with implementation and oversight of new volunteer roles, training, and leadership development. In addition, she has established a newsletter and newsletter team to support the efforts of a local non-profit organization.
Helene K. Liatsos
Helene K. Liatsos is a business advisor and QuickBooks Certified Advisor with more than 25 years of experience. She consults for a range of companies, from travel agencies to startups. Her company Home Office Management Experts was awarded the 2004 Home-Based Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Helene holds a Bachelor of Arts from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Sherida Habersham
Sherida Habersham is an accomplished professional from Georgia at the intersection of technology, education, and service. She started her career as a software developer specializing in human resource management (HRM), payroll, and quality systems. Over her extensive career in education, Sherida has held several roles, including program lead, college professor, and division dean for business and information systems. Sherida holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in educational psychology, a Master of Science in computer science, and a Master of Business Administration in business. With expertise in curriculum development, business systems, and instructional leadership, she is dedicated to promoting learning and development. Additionally, she has over a decade of experience as a bookkeeping and tax expert, assisting small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in streamlining their operations with comprehensive bookkeeping and tax support.
Job Outlook for Human Resources and Payroll Professionals
Virtually every organization has a human resources (HR) department, making skilled HR professionals consistently in demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an average of about 86,200 job openings for human resources specialists annually. Payroll professionals are also in demand because payroll is a vital extension of most HR departments. Obtaining your certification in human resources and payroll will provide you with the essential skills and knowledge needed for success in an HR role.
The BLS reports the median annual salary for human resource managers is $140,030, while the median annual salary for human resources specialists is $72,910. Indeed job data shows that the average salary for a payroll manager is $90,544 per year in the U.S. as of May 2025.