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• # 54708
• Wed 23 Feb 2011 12:09 PM

Hi everyone,

I want to do the Payroll exam, but do you have to have your own software? It's rather expensive and I don't really want to buy it until after I have passed this exam. Any thoughts?

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• # 54710
• Wed 23 Feb 2011 12:20 PM

Hi Lady M

Have a look on Google as there are some payroll software you can download and use for free.  I know 12pay is one of them.

Hope that helps.

• Angela
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• # 54718
• Wed 23 Feb 2011 02:52 PM

Hi
At the 2009 ICB Conference one of the lecturers recommended "Moneysoft" as a very good payroll package- you can use it for a month - it is very good, I have used it - they also do automatic on-line updates for every legal change etc - have a look and let me know what you think - it is very user friendly - and one of the better functions - if you have someone on PAYE it calculates NIC etc on a monthly basis for those who have a fluctuating monthly income.

Good luck with your exam
Sally

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• # 54720
• Wed 23 Feb 2011 04:45 PM

I used Moneysoft for my Payroll Level III and passed.

However there is one quirk - although the exam paper may have changed of course.

One of the "company information" sections referred to a Director paying NIC on an exact percentge method and another paying NIC on the basis of the tax tables.

Moneysoft uses (used) only the percentage method and all calcultions were made on that basis.

I did include a cover note to that effect - I don't know if that was a contributory factor in only achieving 93%.

But to have resolved that issue in its entirety I would have had to prepare manual payroll as well. Happy to settle for a pass!

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• # 54721
• Wed 23 Feb 2011 04:47 PM

Thanks for your suggestions everyone I will definitely look into all of those :)

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• # 54738
• Thu 24 Feb 2011 06:55 PM

This thread is exactly what I was looking for as I hope to do the payroll exam soon too so I can expand my services. Thanks for everyones responses on the software.

I have studied payroll before in the past so don't think I need to pay for a course, a good text book followed by a shot at the mock exam will hopefully suffice.

Can anyone recommend a good textbook?

Many thanks
Carole

• Carole King

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• # 54752
• Fri 25 Feb 2011 09:38 PM

I passed my payroll exam using the free HMRC CD-ROM, so you don't have to buy a package to pass it. It's now being replaced by a toolkit you can get from Businesslink, but I haven't tried it yet.
I used the ICB text for my exam, although I have been doing payroll for years. Also HMRC run free payroll courses which are brilliant and get you up to date with their free software. Well recommended.

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• # 54754
• Fri 25 Feb 2011 09:55 PM

Hi
I use Moneysoft and would recommend it.  Re Directors NIC - in the employee details wndow under the work tab tick the box to use the alternative method for NIC - I think this is what you missed Geoff.
I find the software extremely easy to use and have the multi company version. CIS subcontractors are included as standard too so nothing extra to buy if you need this (I do) .  On line filing is easy too. Only one shortfall for me is that you can;t presently email directly from the programme (thinking of payslips) but I have asked and they say this will be available in the future.

• Anne P
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• # 55197
• Tue 15 Mar 2011 08:50 PM

I have downloaded the basic paye tookit and it is very straightforward to use, however, I have entered the employee details for my mock exam, but the exam asks me to print off the employee details but it is not allowing me to print it out !

I can't just 'print screen' as the details scroll down so it would not print all the fields.

Has anyone used this for the exam? If so, did anyone manage to print the database?

Feel like I have just wasted my time!

I assume you can print out employee details on moneysoft?

Thanks

Carole






Edited at 15 Mar 2011 09:00 PM GMT

• Carole King

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• # 55215
• Wed 16 Mar 2011 10:08 AM

Hi Carole,

Have you tried right-clicking on the screen and then selecting "print"?, this should allow you to print the whole screen..

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• # 55227
• Wed 16 Mar 2011 01:15 PM

I'm doing Payroll Level III with the Training Link.  Got 10% discount as I had already done a Level II computerised bookeeping cource with them.  All the software, books and tutor support is provided.  They are cheaper then most others.

• Loz
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• # 55355
• Mon 21 Mar 2011 10:04 PM

Hi Lady M,

Yes you do have to have your own software, but many courses do provide you with the software the full version, which comes in handy for future exams as well. If you look on Amazon.co.uk you can get it cheap,

Kind Regards

Paula Welsh 

• Hello all,
  
  i just noticed we have a forum, just poking around the members area.  My name is Paula welsh and I have been a member since 2005, starting with Associate member and now a full member

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• # 72296
• Fri 17 Jun 2011 11:11 AM

AngelaWB said:

“Hi Lady M

Have a look on Google as there are some payroll software you can download and use for free.  I know 12pay is one of them.

Hope that helps.”

• Best Regards,
  
  David Bowes FICB PM.Dip (Borehamwood, Herts)
  Email: info@booksmart.co
  Website: BookSmart Accountancy Solutions

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• # 72355
• Mon 20 Jun 2011 12:41 PM

Hi.  I have just done the same as you using the HMRC payroll!!!!  Have just checked with ICB and now need to search for a free download for my exam as I do use Sage Payroll at work but only go in once a week and don;t have home access!!

Will try Moneysoft - fingers crossed!!

Ange P

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