Notes from the Payroll Prof

by Roger A. Smith, CPP, Payroll Management Consultant

This month we’ll have our 19th Annual Michigan Statewide Conference for Payroll Professionals presented by the Detroit and West Michigan Chapters of the American Payroll Association (APA).  We are really excited about this year’s conference, and think we have the best line-up of speakers and presentations ever.  It will also be a fabulous networking activity, a chance to meet and learn from a number of payroll vendors, and, of course, a time to have some fun. 

Planning for the meeting got me to thinking about APA membership.  There must be tens of thousands of people in payroll and payroll-related positions in Michigan, yet there are few than 1,000 Michigan members of the APA and/or APA local Chapters.  Why is that?  Are people unaware of the APA?  Do people not understand what the APA is, or what it does?  Do people not want to improve their knowledge, professionalism and networking?

If you’re reading this column, you probably are a payroll professional.  If you’re a member of the APA, great!  You know what I’m talking about.  But if you’re not an APA member, there are many reasons why I think you should be.  Please consider my list of the Top 10 reasons:

10.   Representation in Washington DC.  The APA works to influence legislative and regulatory processes that impact payroll's daily environment by testifying at government hearings and meetings, by sending representatives to sit on federal advisory committees, and by participating in dozens of industry meetings with the government each year.  APA members are a part of this process.

9.  Education Grants.  Each year, the APA awards six Payroll Education Grants to encourage the professional development of APA members.

8. APA Publications.   Members receive the following publications: Payroll Currently, Paytech, Paytech Online, and Pay News Network.  In addition, members receive breaking news via email and the website, have access to APA Payroll Listserve for research and networking, and receive the APA Survey of Salaries in the Paytech publication.

7. Networking.  You are not alone, when you’re a member of the APA.  You’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet and learn from other members of the payroll profession at APA events, as well as local chapter events.  In addition, members may search the online member directory to find other members in their geographic area, in a specific industry, or using a specific payroll software package.

6.  Hotlines and Job Postings.  At the national level, and in many cases at the local level, members have access to hotlines to answer their payroll questions, as well as an online listing of open job opportunities in payroll.

5.  Local Chapters.  Speaking of the local level, the APA has more than 148 local chapters throughout the country that provide educational, networking, community involvement, and fun activities for their members. 

4. Certification.  The APA offers two professional exam-based certifications. The Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) is a certification designed specifically for (1) entry-level payroll practitioners; (2) payroll, HR, and finance consultants; (3) sales, service, and technology professionals interfacing with payroll operations; and (4) systems analysts and engineers developing and implementing payroll software solutions.  The Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation is a certification attained by individuals who possess a high level of professional competency through both the acquisition of knowledge and direct payroll experience.  The APA and its Chapters offer many resources to help candidates prepare for these certifications.

3. Classes.   Through its state-of-the-art Learning Centers in San Antonio, TX, and Las Vegas, NV, the APA offers numerous classes covering every aspect of payroll and payroll management.  In addition, the APA offers webinars and webcasts, audio seminars and web based training covering a myriad of topics.  Many local chapters also offer training in specific areas, such as preparing for the CPP exam.

2. Conferences and Seminars.  The APA’s Annual Congress is the premier payroll educational event, and features more than 100 workshops, networking opportunities and an enormous payroll exhibit hall.  In addition, the APA conducts many other conferences and seminars in specific areas of interest such as Preparing for Year End, Best Practices, Government Affairs and Mergers and Acquisitions.  Local Chapters also provide frequent meetings and many statewide conferences such as the one I mentioned at the beginning of this month’s column.

1. Personal Growth.  To me, the greatest outcome of joining the APA is not the specific payroll knowledge you gain, but the opportunity to grow as an individual.  Over the years it has been a great pleasure to watch so many payroll people achieve personal growth through the APA.  They develop networks of professionals whom they can count on when any problem arises.  They become adept at communicating in written and oral forms.  They grow to love sharing their expertise with their fellow professionals.   They assume leadership positions at the local and national levels. 

It’s truly a great experience, and I urge you to visit www.americanpayroll.org  and join in!

As always, if you have any questions or comments, my email address is Roger.Smith@PayrollProf.com.