Payroll is one of the largest costs to any company other than buying fixed assets. Because of this it is the greatest ongoing cost to a company and payroll needs to be supervised more carefully than any other aspect of business management. While some companies have the budget available to outsource their payroll, smaller companies in more competitive fields may need to manage related tasks in-house.

Efficiently managing payroll internally requires up-to-date skills, legislative knowledge and access to great supporting software - as well as common sense. If you are seeking out quality payroll training then there are certain course features that are worth looking into.

First things first, look for a payroll training company that specialises in the region or regions that your company operates in. This will help you to put your time into learning relevant skills. Also try to find a course that emphasises a practical approach, provides or points you towards reference materials and teaches basic terminology (whether you are experienced in payroll management or not.)

Apart from understanding the big picture role of payroll, a training course would need to cover Tax (PAYE), social charges, income levies, revenue returns and deductions (gross and net). A course that focuses on empowering small businesses to manage their payments with a maximum benefit to the company and its employees will not just cover payslips but help you to establish efficient monthly and yearly payroll management techniques.

After understanding internal processes you will need to ensure that you understand applying legislation to varying circumstances in the company. A lot of requirements will be outlined in employment laws and in corporate tax laws in your region. For example you may need to know how Maternity or illness benefits may affect your company and employees and whether or not benefits are taxable or non-taxable. You will need to look into anticipated statutory requirements such as redundancy payments, work on public holidays or paid annual leave.

A good payroll training course should also introduce you to managing overtime costs and educate you on an employee's entitlements both as part time and full time workers. An outline of both how to minimise tax payments and how to maximise payroll refunds (also known as 'tax backs') also helps you to ensure that you are accessing all potential savings to be made.

At this stage, any decent training course will also provide you with examples as well as outlining possible "exceptions to the rule" that is to say items that have no tax liability. Various company assets also have costing and tax circumstances of their own, for example a distribution fleets and company cars. Whether you have questions about employer provided accommodation (who pays the rent?) or company mobile phone maintenance, your payroll training should provide you with enough knowledge to start or continue on the right foot.

Some courses will even go so far as to cover your rights when taking out a business loan. The bottom line would be to choose a payroll training course that suits your needs and never to signup until you have seen a course outline.