Canadian Payroll Association (CPA)

The Canadian Payroll Association (CPA) is an organization of payroll managers and practitioners in Canada. The organization represents employers’ payroll interests and is an authoritative source of payroll knowledge in Canada, and it influences the operational, compliance and technology processes of payroll service bureaus, software providers, Canadian employers, as well as federal and provincial tax authorities.

Background

The CPA was founded in 1978 by a group of payroll practitioners who proposed changes to the first Record of Employment (ROE) form. They advocate 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.

Certification

The CPA offers two Certifications. Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) and Certified Payroll Manager (CPM). The required courses for each designation are:

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).

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.

Professional Development

The CPA holds more than 350 professional development seminars across Canada each year to address key payroll topics ranging from "Learning Payroll I and II" which covers the basics, to "Taxable Benefits" and "Year-end".

The CPA's "Annual Conference & Trade Show", held in a different city each year, is a payroll networking event featuring more than 50 educational and keynote sessions. It also includes the largest payroll trade show in Canada.

"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.

External links

* [http://www.payroll.ca/ Canadian Payroll Association website]
* [http://www.npw-snp.ca/ National Payroll Week website]
* [http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/business/topics/payroll/menu-e.html Canada Revenue Agency's Payroll Information page]