|
- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 31 posts
|
Hi,
I have the Sage payroll software and books and I was just wondering how long it might take to self study?
For those of you who have completed the exam using the Sage books and software, how many hours of study do you think it took you?
I do have some experience of payroll but generally only basic payroll using moneysoft or HMRC software.
Thanks.
|
|
|
Anyone who can use HMRC tools will have no problem with real software.
|
|
|
I did the Payroll course over 4 days, and the exam the same weekend as I ordered the exam before I started studying. I do better with a deadline looming.
I used the Sage Self-study payroll package which I picked up off Amazon for around £40.00, but you'll need to check that the ICB exam for 10/11 is still available as the revenue added a new NI threshold for 11/12, so the software that comes with the course may not be current enough to do the latest exam. Suggest you check with the ICB if the exam is still available, and if they have an y plans to withdraw it soon. You will need to refer to the HMRC website for background info on statutory payments etc. If you search the forums for "sage self study payroll" you should find a couple of threads showing which pages you need.
|
|
- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 31 posts
|
Thanks guys. I absolutely hate the hmrc paye tools, but as you say, if you can use hit you can probably use anything!
Some of the colleges than run the course are saying it takes 90 to 100 hours to learn, so what's been suggested here is quite different!
|
|
|
Give ICB a ring to confirm but I believe that ICB Payroll exams are ALWAYS run against CURRENT year.
|
|
|
Jetsaid:
“Thanks guys. I absolutely hate the hmrc paye tools, but as you say, if you can use hit you can probably use anything!
Some of the colleges than run the course are saying it takes 90 to 100 hours to learn, so what's been suggested here is quite different! ”
Hi,
While I am sure that it is possible to learn a computer package to a sufficient standard to complete the exam in under a week - I would be cautious in saying one is ready for the exam. Having just received the first of 2 full A4 binders for my payroll course I can say very clearly that I might be able to read it in a week - understanding will take longer!
I think that it depends on how you want to do the job - do you want to fully understand manual payroll and then convert to computerised - which is where the 90 to 100 hours come in - or are you going to just go for the computer version, trusting that you will be able to navigate the HMRC site to find any additional info you may need.
I am, as I am sure everyone is, aware that payroll will need to be computerised for 90% or more of potential clients but I wonder what will happen if the power fails, the computers won't work and no-one knows how to do their bookwork by hand. Staff will still expect to be paid!
Call me old-fashioned, but I suggest learning the manual methods and then converting - it will take longer but you will know what the computer is doing and be able to check that it is doing it right. Invaluable in my book.
|
|
- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 31 posts
|
Well, I've checked with the ICB and the exams they are currently running are for the years 11/12 and 12/13.
So, have I wasted my money on the Sage software? Is it worth using anyway to learn the basics even if the details aren't exactly correct for the current year?
I do use moneysoft in my employment and am wondering if I could use that? But it does mean I would have to ask my employer, which I have been reluctant to do, or would the trial version (free for a month) be suitable for the exam?
Thanks.
|
|
|
Hi Jet,
What year is your payroll software?
If it is 2010-11 you could run a dummy year-end.
Then you would have to update all the tax, NI, & SSP etc parameters for 2011-12 manually.
If you feel confident in doing that then you can use your payroll software for 2011-12.
Regards,
Marilyn
|
|
- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 31 posts
|
Hi. Can I do that with the trial version then?
|
|
|
Hi,
Not sure about that but I don't see why not.
Maybe better asking Sage - email them at support@sage.com
Or ask whoever gave you the trial version if it was a training provider.
Marilyn
|
