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• # 99203
• Sun 20 Apr 2014 06:22 PM

Trying to study for my payroll exam but finding the manual side hard going.  Ive not got any experience in payroll in the workplace but find the computerised part fine. The manual side is stressing me somewhat though.  I dont want to apply for my licence until i have the payroll diploma so its frustrating me. 

Any advice would be appreciated. Maybe i just need to slog it out and keep,trying. 

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• # 99205
• Mon 21 Apr 2014 05:41 AM

Hi Carol

Just to say you are NOT alone, I too have started on this, like you with no experience in payroll, and i'm finding it very 'taxing'.... excuse the pun!

I am finding it so difficult to procees & digest all the information in the maual part, i have been spending days just going back over part one trying to get it to sink in, i'm sure it must get easier with experience! I haven't even looked at the computer aspect yet, as I want to get a reasonable understanding of the manual part first!

Good luck with your continued studies, let me know how it goes!!!

Linda

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• # 99206
• Mon 21 Apr 2014 07:05 AM

Lindyloo said:

“

Hi Carol

Just to say you are NOT alone, I too have started on this, like you with no experience in payroll, and i'm finding it very 'taxing'.... excuse the pun!

I am finding it so difficult to procees & digest all the information in the maual part, i have been spending days just going back over part one trying to get it to sink in, i'm sure it must get easier with experience! I haven't even looked at the computer aspect yet, as I want to get a reasonable understanding of the manual part first!

Good luck with your continued studies, let me know how it goes!!!

Linda

”

 HOw are you studying for this Linda? Ive been doing the Sage Instant payroll self study books. Im finding that it is not until i look at a past paper and see the type of questions then compare answers, that i realise there is gaps in my knowledge  and thanks heavens i didnt just go for the exam without doing some past papers. Sage self study does cover the manual side of things but not in great depth. i only took 5 months to do levels one and two so am finding this frustrating!

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• # 99207
• Mon 21 Apr 2014 07:24 AM

My traing provider quotes 50-60 hours study time for Payroll - They quote 40 hours each for level 1 manual & level 2 manual and 35 hors for level 2 computerised. Now its taking me lomger than the hours they quoted so I reckon 90 - 150 hours for the payroll (excluding exam, mocks, revision etc etc).

Regards

Trevor

• Failure is only the opportunity to Begin again, only this time more Wisely. Henry Ford

  Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. Robert Collier

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• # 99208
• Mon 21 Apr 2014 07:46 AM

Hi Carol & Trevor

I have Open Study College training materials that my father purchased for a staff member last year, I am also reading up on the HMRC website to try & better understand some of the elements I am working through. Everything in my coursework so far, i.e. PAYE, NI, pensions is pretty much a slightly condensed version of what's on the website. 

I still have a way to go having only spent around 10 hours studying so far, I haven't seen a mock paper yet, although if anybody has any they'd be willing to share, i'd be very grateful for an insight into what I am working towards!

Good luck also to you Trevor with your continuing stuy!

Linda

email: lindaterrybates@gmail.com

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• # 99213
• Mon 21 Apr 2014 08:12 PM

Hi Carol

To do payroll in 'real life' is much different to doing it to pass the exam, so please don't stress over it - just do the best you can in order to get through the exam, then enjoy the fact that the software you choose to run payroll will take away all of that 'hassle' once you're practising.

I don't see any value in waiting until you've completed the payroll module to apply for your licence. It's surprising how long it can take to get your licence through once applied for. Also, you've then got to begin the 'advertising' yourself, getting yourself known - networking, website, business cards etc. This can all take a number of months before your first client comes knocking on the door. So if I were you, I would begin that process now, then by time you've finished your payroll, you should just about be ready to 'actually' practice rather than to just begin the process and get even more frustrated at the time it's all taking.

Good Luck

Carol

• Carol Saunders
  Lady of Ledger Book Keeping
  Telford, Shropshire

  
  

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• # 99214
• Mon 21 Apr 2014 08:40 PM

Lady of Ledger said:

“

Hi Carol

To do payroll in 'real life' is much different to doing it to pass the exam, so please don't stress over it - just do the best you can in order to get through the exam, then enjoy the fact that the software you choose to run payroll will take away all of that 'hassle' once you're practising.

I don't see any value in waiting until you've completed the payroll module to apply for your licence. It's surprising how long it can take to get your licence through once applied for. Also, you've then got to begin the 'advertising' yourself, getting yourself known - networking, website, business cards etc. This can all take a number of months before your first client comes knocking on the door. So if I were you, I would begin that process now, then by time you've finished your payroll, you should just about be ready to 'actually' practice rather than to just begin the process and get even more frustrated at the time it's all taking.

Good Luck

Carol

”

 thank you carol for your advice. I will take it  on board and persevere with the payroll study and maybe i will apply for my licence too. i just didnt want to approach people and then  say that i couldnt do their payroll if they asked.

many thanks

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