Payroll qualifications: How to choose what's best for your career
I’d like to help clarify some confusion about payroll qualifications. There have been recent claims made about some new qualifications in payroll as being the “only nationally accredited payroll qualifications in Australia”.
The use of the word "only" will clearly concern anyone involved in or considering payroll qualifications.
So let me help clarify by answering questions you might have:
Q. Does the claim “only nationally accredited” really mean it is the only official qualification for payroll?
No.
Not all “nationally accredited qualifications” are created equal. They fall into two categories:
- Government owned courses are developed with public funds and are available in the public domain.
- Privately owned courses are developed with private funds and have a set expiration date.
There are no government created qualifications for payroll.
Critically, a privately owned “qualification” fails to tell the full story of the quality of the particular course, the institution, and their professional credibility within the industry.
The bottom-line is not about “national accreditation”. It’s the depth of the overall quality of education you receive, specifically the quality of the content and the teaching and training.
My recommendation is:
- Ask lots of questions about the course you are interested in and compare it to others
- Investigate the experience of the institution and the course you’re interested in:
- Who runs and owns it?
- Do they and the institution have a transparent and trustworthy track record?
- Find those who’ve done the course you’re interested in and ask them about the quality and relevance of the content, the teaching methods and the calibre of the teachers.
Q. Is there any advantage for me from a link with a University?
Absolutely yes!
Let’s face it: Formal qualifications are important. They prove to potential employers that you “know your stuff” and that you are capable of studying, absorbing information and have been tested. Combined with work experience, qualifications help you to progress your career.
TAPS started the first course and qualification for payroll in Australia more than two decades ago. Today, it remains the most trusted and transparent option for participants looking to take the next steps in their careers.
Run by TAPS under the supervision of Charles Sturt University, the course continues to grow. The link with the University ensures that our courses are continually scrutinised for relevance to the market as well as underlining their credibility.
In fact, Charles Sturt University is so impressed by the quality of our course that they award our successful students with two subject credits towards a Graduate Certificate in Professional Development. This is an innovative postgraduate qualification which is individually tailored and specialised to further the career of each graduate.
Q. Which course is best for my career long-term?
My counsel to anyone investigating payroll courses is to look for:
- Experience, credibility and a good track record
- Partnerships with leading tertiary education institutions which can extend educational horizons
- Excellent recommendations from both businesses and individuals who’ve done the course
- Transparency in terms of who owns and runs it.
If you would like to discuss your payroll career, give me a call on 1300 711 240.
Courtesy and source of The Associatoin of Payroll Specialists http://www.payroll.com.au/