Course overview
This course provides complete training on payroll processing, compliance, and reporting for both US and UK systems. In the US section, you’ll learn payroll setup in QuickBooks Payroll and Gusto, employee onboarding, pay calculations, tax withholdings (FICA, federal, and state), quarterly/year-end filings (941, 940, W-2, 1099), payroll bookkeeping entries, and audit readiness. The UK section covers HMRC registration, RTI submissions, PAYE, NI contributions, pensions, payroll journals in Xero, and year-end filings (P60, P45, P11D). With hands-on practice in QuickBooks, Gusto, and Xero Payroll, you’ll gain the skills needed to manage payroll accurately and ensure full compliance.
Key features
- Dual Coverage – Learn both US & UK payroll systems with QuickBooks, Gusto, and Xero.
- Hands-On Training – Live payroll setup, processing, filing, and bookkeeping entries.
- Tax Filing Mastery – Master payroll tax forms (US: 941, 940, W-2/W-3, 1099-NEC; UK: FPS, EPS, P60, P45).
- Compliance Ready – Learn audit-readiness and compliance processes with IRS, HMRC, and state-specific payroll rules.
- Software Proficiency – Get job-ready skills in QuickBooks Payroll, Gusto, and Xero Payroll.
What you will learn
- Set up payroll systems and onboard employees (W-2, 1099, HMRC PAYE).
- Run payroll cycles (weekly, biweekly, monthly) with gross-to-net calculations.
- Handle bonuses, PTO, commissions, and contractor payments.
- Calculate federal, state (US) and PAYE, NI, pensions (UK) payroll taxes.
- File quarterly and annual payroll tax returns (US: 941, 940, W-2/W-3; UK: FPS, EPS, P60).
- Record payroll journal entries in QuickBooks and Xero.
- Reconcile payroll reports with bank statements and Chart of Accounts.
- Maintain compliance with IRS/HMRC rules and audit requirements.
- Prepare statutory reports: P11D, P45, tax liability, payroll summaries.
- Automate payroll processing with Gusto & Xero RTI submissions.
Detailed course curriculum
Open a module to see its complete topics.
01Payroll Setup & Employee Onboarding
- Setting up payroll systems in QuickBooks Payroll and Gusto
- Employee classification: W-2 vs 1099
- Collecting W-4 and I-9 forms
02Payroll Processing (Weekly/Biweekly)
- Calculating gross pay, deductions, net pay
- Handling bonuses, commissions, and PTO
- Running payroll schedules in QuickBooks and Gusto
03Payroll Tax Withholding & Payments
- Federal: Social Security, Medicare (FICA), Federal Income Tax
- State: Income tax, unemployment (SUTA)
- Employer-side taxes
04Payroll Tax Filings
- Quarterly Form 941 and applicable state payroll returns
- Annual Form 940 (FUTA)
- Year-end filings: W-2, W-3 and 1099-NEC
- Tax payment scheduling and deposits via EFTPS
05Bookkeeping Entries
- Recording payroll journal entries in QuickBooks Online
- Mapping payroll to Chart of Accounts
- Reconciling payroll reports with bank statements
06Payroll Compliance & Audits
- IRS and state audit readiness
- Maintaining employee payroll records
- Workers’ compensation and benefits reporting
07Reporting & Reconciliation
- Payroll summary reports
- Tax liability reports
- Monthly reconciliation between payroll software and books
08Payroll Setup & HMRC Registration
- Registering as an employer with HMRC
- Setting up payroll in Xero UK Payroll
- Adding employees and PAYE references
09Payroll Processing & RTI Submissions
- Running monthly payroll with tax codes
- Real-Time Information (RTI) submission to HMRC via Xero
- Generating payslips and P60s
10Payroll Tax Calculations
- PAYE (Income Tax)
- National Insurance (NI) – Employee and Employer portions
- Pension Auto-enrolment contributions
11Payroll Bookkeeping Entries
- Recording payroll journals in Xero
- Allocating wages, taxes, pensions to correct accounts
- Reconciling with business bank account
12HMRC Reporting & Compliance
- Submitting FPS and EPS to HMRC
- Managing statutory payments (SSP, SMP)
- Year-end: P60, P45, P11D submissions
Course benefits
- Build a practical skill used in ongoing business payroll operations.
- Develop payroll services for freelance and remote client work.
- Learn both US and UK payroll workflows.
- Practice reporting, reconciliation and compliance recordkeeping.
- Understand payroll bookkeeping for business finance teams.
Upcoming batches
Next batch schedule will be announced soon.Ask the training team.