Become an ICB Payroll Agent

Payroll professionals can now join ICB using their experience or existing qualifications.

Why join ICB as a payroll agent? 

As an ICB Payroll Agent, you will have access to up-to-date guidance on rates and legislation, a dedicated helpline, and monthly webinars led by the ICB Payroll team. You can also take advantage of additional CPD opportunities, discounts on industry events, and a wide range of member resources. 

The £299 application fee is non-refundable, so check the criteria first — and if you have any questions, our team is here to help. Contact us 

Apply using your work experience 

You’ll need to show the following: 

  • Provide proof you have worked processing end-to-end payroll for at least two consecutive years in the last five years.  

  • Provide an independent referee who has overseen your work for two of the last five years and is a current member of a professional body. 

  • Pass our online Level 3 Payroll Skills Appraisal 

Create an ICB account and apply today here 

Apply using your qualifications 

You will need one of the following completed by exam within the last five years: 

  1. CIPP Payroll Technician Certificate 

  1. CIPP Foundation Degree in Payroll Management 

  1. Payroll Centre Level 3 Payroll Qualification 

  1. Level 3 Payroll Administrator Apprenticeship  

  1. Level 5 Payroll Assistant Manager Apprenticeship Standard 

If your qualification is less than two years old you can proceed to membership. 

If your qualification is between 2 – 5 years old, you will be required to take and pass the ICB Level 3 Payroll Appraisal.  

Create an ICB account and apply today here 

How do I apply?

 Step 1: Submit your application online

Create an ICB account, or log in to an existing account.

Check you meet the criteria - or contact the team to check.

Pay the non-refundable application fee via a debit or credit card.
Step 2:  Submit supporting documentation

You will need to upload digital copies of your documents and referee details as part of your online application within one month of applying.

Required Items:

  • Government-issued Photo ID (ID Requirements)
  • CV or covering letter detailing qualifications and/or work experience to date
  • Proof of recent relevant qualifications and/or contact details for one referee who meets our criteria
Step 3: Complete the online skills appraisal (if relevant)

About the Level 3 Online Skills Appraisal 

The appraisal is a test  of your technical knowledge, practical scenarios and understanding of compliance and ethics. 

Available online 24/7, year-round 

Designed to take a confident  payroll professional no more than three hours 

Three attempts allowed 

Pass mark: 85% 

We are here to help you succeed, and we will support you through every step of becoming an ICB member.

 

FAQ

How do I prove my work experience?

You'll need to upload your CV, or a covering letter, telling us about your work experience to date. 

You'll also need to nominate one referee who is familiar with your work throughout the qualifying period (two consecutive years within the last five) and this should correspond to the information provided on your CV/covering letter. 

Criteria for a referee: 

  • Your referee must have worked with you in a professional capacity for at least two out of the last five years. 

  • They cannot be a relative, or be in a personal relationship with you. 

  • They must be in a senior role to you or external to your practice/organisation and must have had oversight of your work. 

  • must be a qualified  payroll professional in current valid membership of either AAT, ACCA, CAI, CIMA, CIPP (L5 & above), IAB, ICAEW, ICAS, ICB ( PM.Dip) or IFA. If a member of a non-UK body the body must be a current member of IFAC. 

  • Where the referee does not hold a payroll qualification, additional detail of payroll experience must be provided. Referees must be able to demonstrate sufficient payroll knowledge and oversight to make informed judgements on payroll processes, controls and outputs. 

Criteria is as follows:

 

Competency area 

Desirable/ 

Essential 

Core payroll processing (calculating gross-to-net across varied pay structures and frequencies) 

Essential 

Statutory payments and absence (SSP, SMP, SPP, SAP, ShPP) 

Essential 

Benefits and expenses, including payrolled benefits and P11D reporting 

Essential 

Director and complex payroll cases (directors’ NIC and irregular earnings) 

Desirable 

Legislative compliance and RTI submissions 

Essential 

Pensions and auto-enrolment 

Essential 

Payroll lifecycle administration (starters, leavers, P45/P60/P11D) 

Essential 

Systems proficiency (use of payroll software and integration) 

Essential 

Problem-solving and judgement (discrepancies and corrections) 

Essential 

Professional ethics and data protection 

Essential 

Communication and stakeholder management 

Essential 

Continuous professional development 

Essential 

Bureau/multi-client payroll (where applicable) 

Desirable 

 

I don’t know whether to use my qualifications or my work experience?

That’s OK – speak to a member of the team who will be able to advise you on the most appropriate route for you.   

How do I prove my qualifications?

As part of your online application you will be asked to provide copies (not originals) of your qualification certificates. If you don’t have everything to hand you can upload documentation later, as long as you do so within one month of applying. 

What other documents do you require?

You will need to share photographic ID and an up to date CV. 

How long will my application take?

We find on average the process takes between one and three months depending on a variety of factors. 

Can I get a refund if I don’t pass the exam?

The application fee covers your application only and is strictly non-refundable. 

Why might exemption not be granted?

A small number of applicants are unsuccessful and are not granted exemptions. We reserve the right to reject an application at our discretion, but please consider the following: 

If you do not meet our current criteria for recent relevant qualifications or work experience, we will not be able to grant exemptions. 

We do not grant exemptions from any ICB exam that you have previously attempted and failed, even if you have subsequently achieved an equivalent qualification from another awarding body. 

We do not grant exemptions based solely on exemptions you may have been granted elsewhere. 

We do not accept references unless they are from a member of good standing of ICB (PM.Dip) or CIPP (Level 5 or above) . 

Upon application you will be subject to an open-source background check and any adverse media, or disciplinary finding by another professional accountancy body, will be taken into account.  

Your conduct during your application will be taken into consideration. You can expect our team to be courteous and professional and we will not tolerate threatening behaviour. 

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