Qualification Specification for: KPA Level 3 Certificate in Payroll Processes Qualification No. on the Register of Regulated Qualifications
Version Control Version number Date Updated by Review date 1 24/07/2013 C Kenny June 2014 2 02/12/15 C Kenny Dec 2015 3 03/12/17 T Burrows Dec 2017 Operational start date: 01/10/2011 Review date: 01/02/2017 Certification end date: 30/09/2022 Kaplan Professional Awards Unit 2 Molly Millars Lane, Wokingham Berkshire RG41 2QZ KPA Contact Details Qualifications Manager : 07801 665 399 Web: kaplan-professional-awards.kaplan.co.uk Email : kpaenquiries@kaplan.co.uk 2 of 15
Contents Introduction... 4 About KPA... 4 KPA Qualifications... 4 Qualification Summary... 5 Qualification Target Group... 5 Entry Requirements... 5 Delivery Languages... 5 Structure and Content... 5 Rules of Combination... 6 Offering the Qualification... 7 Units... 8 Quality Assurance Processes... 12 Assessment... 12 Internal Verification... 12 External Verification... 12 Exemptions... 13 Retention of Evidence... 13 Standardisation... 13 Certification... 13 Charges... 13 Progression Opportunities... 13 Access to Fair Assessment... 14 National Occupational Standards (NOS)... 14 3 of 15
Introduction About KPA KPA has been established to create qualifications which help individuals to succeed in their chosen careers. Our qualifications are designed to be flexible, accessible and relevant, thanks to our partnerships with employers, training providers in further and higher education and industry specialists. This means our qualifications fit with the needs of both learners and employers. We offer qualifications at a range of levels, including Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, NVQs and Apprenticeships which cover a variety of subject areas, including: Business Management Administration Finance Payroll Pensions Customer service Accountancy Mathematics Economics All KPA qualifications are accredited on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). The QCF allows learners to pick and choose units and build their qualifications at their own pace to suit their needs. Our mission is to offer the best possible learning programmes and resources, and to put these opportunities in the hands of as many people as possible. KPA Qualifications All our units and qualifications are credit based and flexible enough to appeal to learners in any setting from schools to Further Education to Employers and Higher Education. KPA offers its recognised centres the opportunity to deliver effective lifelong learning, widen opportunity and enable progression with current education and training frameworks. 4 of 15
Qualification Summary The KPA Level 3 Certificate in Payroll Systems (QCF) qualification has been developed together with the leading organisation in payroll the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP). This certificate is ideal for those wishing to understand the interaction between payroll and other internal and external bodies, and the deductions that can be taken from pay in addition to PAYE/NIC and statutory payments; it completes the core basic knowledge requirements of the payroll office. The qualification covers three key areas, each of which will be assessed by a written exam. Qualification Target Group The KPA Level 3 Certificate in Payroll Systems (QCF) qualification is suitable for individuals who either currently work or want to work within the following job roles: Payroll Supervisor, Payroll Manager, Payroll Team Leader, Payroll Clerk, Payroll Assistant. Entry Requirements Learners must be: 16 years of age or older Delivery Languages This qualification is currently only available in English. Structure and Content This Qualification is composed of 3 units. The individual must successfully complete all 3 units to obtain the qualification certification. Individual units from the qualification can be awarded separately. 5 of 15
The Qualification consists of the following Mandatory and Optional Units: Qualification Number KPA Unit Code Unit Title Unit Designation Credit Value Level J/503/5321 L3PaN PAYE & NIC Mandatory 6 Three L/503/5322 L3UESP Understanding Entitlements & Statutory Payments Mandatory 6 Three Y/503/5341 L3EAPB Essential Additions to Payroll Basics Mandatory 6 Three Total Credit Value 18 Rules of Combination This Qualification is composed of mandatory 3 units. The individual must successfully complete all 3 units to obtain the qualification certification. Individual units from the qualification can be awarded separately. 6 of 15
Offering the Qualification This qualification is only available through KPA recognised centres. If you would like to find out more about either becoming a recognised centre or working in partnership with a recognised centre please access the Becoming an Approved Centre area of the KPA website or contact a member of the Business Development team for more information. 7 of 15
Units Unit Title: PAYE & NIC Level: 3 Credit Value: 6 Unit Code: L3PaN OFQUAL Unit Reference Code: J/503/5321 This unit has 3 learning outcomes: LEARNING OUTCOMES The learner will: 1. Understand the implications of PAYE, National Insurance, employees Tax codes, Tax percentages and payment period on the amount an employee will be paid. 2. Be able to identify the current legal requirements governing deductions from an employee s pay and the information that should be included on a pay statement. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA The learner can: 1.1. Identify earning periods and explain the impact on PAYE and National Insurance while determining gross pay 1.2. Use the correct PAYE thresholds, rates and tables to calculate the PAYE due in a given pay period 1.3. Explain the purpose of the tax code in order to identify taxable pay 1.4. Identify the different circumstances which determine the tax percentage to be applied 1.5. Identify sources of a National Insurance number and describe the4 employee circumstances which determine the National Insurance table to be used. 1.6. Explain how and the National Insurance calculation is applied 1.7. Be able to recognise the importance of National Insurance exemptions. 2.1. Determine the details to be included on a pay statement. 2.2. Determine if or when additional information is to be included on a pay statement. 2.3. Apply the relevant current legislative requirements. 2.4. Distinguish between statutory, contractual and voluntary deductions. 2.5. Determine the sequence and importance of deductions and 8 of 15
understand the direct impact on the calculation of PAYE income tax, NI contributions and also attachment of earnings orders (AEOs) 3. Be able to identify the information requirements for starters and leavers. 3.1. Determine the information requirements sent by legislation required to process a new starter. 3.2. Evaluate which new starter forms should be applied depending upon employee circumstances. 9 of 15
Unit Title: Understanding Entitlements and Statutory Payments Level: 3 Credit Value: 6 Unit Code: L3UESP OFQUAL Unit Reference Code: L/503/5322 This unit has 3 learning outcomes: LEARNING OUTCOMES The learner will: 1. Understand the implications of Statutory Sick, Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Payments on the calculation of an individual s pay. 2. Know what organisations can reclaim from the government 3. Understand the impact of offences and penalties on an organisation ASSESSMENT CRITERIA The learner can: 1.1. Be able to recognise and comply with statutory obligations, including Payment rate of payment entitlements and qualification criteria. 1.2. Identify the different circumstances for exclusions and ceasing entitlement. 1.3. Determine notification rules and understand the direct impact on entitlement. 1.4. Distinguish between occupational pay and statutory payments and apply the offsetting rules. 1.5. Explain record keeping requirements and identify statutory forms and apply to the relevant circumstances. 2.1 Determine employer entitlement to reclaim statutory payments from government 2.2. Be able to explain the differing rules for reclaim of statutory payments. 2.3 Determine employer entitlement to advanced funding. 3.1. Identify offences and penalties. 3.2. Determine the different circumstances giving rise to offences leading to penalties. 10 of 15
Unit Title: Essential Additions to Payroll Basics Level: 3 Credit Value: 6 Unit Code: L3EAPB OFQUAL Unit Reference Code: Y/503/5341 This unit has 3 learning outcomes: LEARNING OUTCOMES The learner will: 1. Demonstrate knowledge relating to a broad range of payroll obligations 2. Understand the application of current legislation to the payroll function 3. Know how to calculate and record a variety of payroll requirements ASSESSMENT CRITERIA The learner can: 1.1. Explain the payroll departments prime obligations 1.2. Distinguish between positive and negative payroll 1.3. Be able to identify clients of the payroll function 1.4. Identify payroll resourcing needs 1.5. Identify the payroll cycle 2.1. Determine government deadlines for submission of statutory returns. 2.2. Determine the direct impact for late returns. 2.3. Explain what should be included on the payslip. 2.4. Be able to recognise the importance of the Data Protection Act. 2.5. Evaluate employment status. 2.6. Determine the legal requirements and payroll consequences of jury service. 3.1. Be able to calculate Attachments of Earnings Orders (AEOs) and student loan deductions. 3.2. Distinguish between statutory, contractual and voluntary deductions. 3.3. Distinguish between different pension schemes. 3.4. Evaluate forms and terminology 3.5. Be able to calculate end of year remittances due to HM Revenue and Customs and distinguish payment methods. 11 of 15
Quality Assurance Processes Assessment The qualification is assessed within the centre and is subject to KPA s quality assurance processes including internal and external verification. Assessors must: be working in the occupational area they are assessing and have a minimum of three years experience in the role have direct or related relevant experience in assessment have a sound understanding of the current National Occupational Standards (NOS) Internal Verification The qualification must be scrutinised through the Recognised Centre s internal quality assurance processes as part of the license agreement with KPA. Internal Verifiers must: have direct or related relevant experience in assessment and verification External Verification The qualification will be subject to external verification processes as part of the delivery Recognised Centre s license agreement with KPA. External Verifiers: will be appointed by KPA must have direct or related relevant experience in assessment and verification must have a sound understanding of the current National Occupational Standards (NOS) 12 of 15
Exemptions There are no exemptions for this qualification. Retention of Evidence External Verifiers will select two pieces of assessment evidence from each centre each year and KPA will retain this evidence for the life of the qualification or five years. Standardisation Recognised Centres delivering this qualification will be required to attend an annual standardisation event. Certification Certificates will be sent to candidates directly to the address provided on enrolment. Charges The qualification charge per learner is 40 per unit. There are 3 mandatory units. Further details relating to KPA charging structure can be found on the website at http://kaplan-professional-awards.kaplan.co.uk under Fees. Progression Opportunities 13 of 15
Access to Fair Assessment KPA has systems and procedures in place to make sure that the assessment strategies for qualifications enable valid, reliable and consistent judgements to be made about the achievement of all learning outcomes against the stated assessment criteria. In order to ensure that inclusive assessment strategies are in place, that respond to individual learner needs, it may be necessary for centres to adapt assessments. Centres should consult the guidance within the Learners with Particular Assessment Requirements policy (available within the centre handbook) which provides clear guidelines about the way in which reasonable adjustments and special considerations can be applied to KPA qualifications. National Occupational Standards (NOS) The units in this qualification have been mapped to the National Occupational Standards: The units satisfy elements of the following: P-1 Create and Maintain Employee Records P-2 Calculate Pay P-3 Determine Entitlements and Deductions 14 of 15
Qualification Number: Operational start date: 01/10/2011 Review date: 01/12/2017 Certification end date: 30/09/2012 Kaplan Professional Awards Unit 2 Molly Millars Lane, Wokingham Berkshire RG41 2QZ Phone: 07801 665 399 Web: kaplan-professional-awards.kaplan.co.uk 15 of 15