Below is a standard business case template which can be used to gain approval for
CIPP qualifications. The information to be inserted in the relevant sections within the
letter can be found at the end of the template. If you have any questions regarding the
CIPP qualifications please email [email protected] or call 0121 712 1023.
To: [Insert supervisor name and title]
Date: [Insert date]
From: [Insert your name and title]
Re: Studying the CIPP’s Foundation Degree in Payroll Management
I am writing to request financial support to study for the CIPP’s Foundation Degree in
Payroll Management.
With over 160 pieces of legislation directly affecting payroll and pensions, the
forthcoming changes including automatic enrolment, and the governments investment of
£77 million towards ensuring compliance, it is even more essential that I am up to speed
with the latest changes.
The CIPP’s Foundation Degree in Payroll Management is the payroll industry
benchmark qualification and runs in collaboration with, approved by, the University of
Worcester. There are over 15,000 qualified payroll individuals in the UK, and the CIPP
has been supporting payroll professionals through learning and development since
1980.
Enrolments for the next intake close as below:



Year 1 – [see website for details]
Year 2 - [see website for details]
Year 3 - [see website for details]
with studies commencing the same month.
Benefits to [insert company name]




Reduces the risk of incurring penalties from government
This qualification is an excellent investment towards ensuring that I am up to date
on legislation, and complying with UK tax legislation and avoiding hefty penalties.
Increased motivation
Allowing me to study for this qualification will increase my confidence to perform
effectively and will show that you value me as an employee.
Work based learning that I can bring back to the office
The skills, knowledge and understanding that I will be able to bring back and use
on the job will provide a positive benefit to [Insert company name]. The
modules covered in the Foundation Degree in Payroll Management cover various
aspects from [list the modules names that are relevant for your company
and its objectives, course content/modules can be found in appendix one].
Work-based project can be used to support an organisational project
During the final year of the Foundation Degree in Payroll Management there is a
work-based project which I can utilise to support [insert company name].
1
Please refer to appendix one below which explains the course content and how this will
benefit you as my employer.
Full details are also available in the prospectus available online at
www.cippqualifications.org.uk.
Learn from the best payroll practitioners
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) was established over thirty years
ago, and is today the benchmark payroll qualifications provider, starting from short
introductory courses, through to foundation degree level with the Foundation Degree in
Payroll Management, which leads to full professional membership, and the MSc in
Business and Reward Management, which leads to fellowship of the Institute.
All CIPP programmes are designed, supported and delivered by experienced
practitioners, so you can be sure that the advice you get is based on real world issues.
Cost of Foundation Degree in Payroll Management
Each year of study costs £2,495 + VAT, which includes:







Allocation of a personal tutor who will offer assistance and guidance whenever
needed throughout the course
Attendance at one module review day per module – usually held on a Saturday
so as not to interfere with my time in the office
Attendance at one tutorial per module - held on a Saturday so as not to interfere
with my time in the office
Core study material available online through the CIPP student website
All exam and assignment fees (excluding resit fees. Terms and conditions apply.
Visit www.cipp.org.uk for details)
Student membership of the CIPP for the duration of my studies – saving £70 per
year, plus registration fee of £35, based on the 2015 affiliate membership fee.
This membership will include:
o Access to updates on automatic enrolment, including live and recorded
online training sessions
o The latest payroll, pensions and related news to ensure that I am up to
date on industry developments and changes
Attendance at the CIPP graduation ceremony on successful completion of all
three years – please note that a security deposit will be required for your gown
hire, and any guests will be charged to attend
There are discounts for early enrolment bringing the cost down to £2,350 + VAT per
year for enrolments received before 28 August 2015.
Additional discounts apply should you choose to qualify more members of the payroll
team, if you place five or more members of the team on the qualification, the cost
reduces to £1,995 + VAT per student per year.
Thank you for considering my application to study for the Foundation Degree in Payroll
Management.
Sincerely
[Insert your signature]
2
Appendix one: Additional information required – qualifications available and
syllabus detail
1. Foundation Degree in Payroll Management
The Foundation Degree in Payroll Management is a three year part-time degree,
allowing students to study while in employment. It is a blended learning qualification
and each year is split into five modules, consisting of a face to face module review
day, tutorial, at home learning and an exam or an assignment. The qualification is
split as follows:
1.1
Foundation Degree in Payroll Management Year One
– the Practitioner Certificate in Payroll
The Practitioner Certificate in Payroll is the first year of the Foundation
Degree in Payroll Management and aimed at new starters to payroll, or
those without a formal qualification. It is designed to give a basic
understanding of the payroll fundamentals required day to day. Due to
the technical nature of the content for this year (below), it is assessed
through four examinations and one assignment:
 Objectives of the payroll department
 Payroll cycle
 Employment status
 Assessment of pay & benefits
 Build up to gross
 Deductions from pay
 National Insurance
 Income tax
 Court orders
 Student loans
 Other deductions
 Absence processing
 Types of absence
 Contractual absence
 Recording and processing of absence
 Working in a team
1.2
Foundation Degree in Payroll Management Year Two
– the Advanced Practitioner in Payroll
The second year of the Foundation Degree in Payroll Management
covers more advanced aspects of payroll administration and processing
that would be dealt with by payroll professionals who have a bit more
experience in the industry. It follows directly from year one, or can be a
starting point for the Foundation Degree in Payroll Management for those
with two or more years’ experience in payroll, it covers:
 Provision of effective and efficient administration
o Payments
o Audit types
o Management information
o Quality standards
 Contractual aspects of payroll administration
o Employment legislation and its impact on payroll
o Application of law, company policy and good practice
o New appointments and transfers (internal and TUPE)
o Permanent and temporary variations to contract
o Starters, leavers, retirements, redundancies, death in service
o Special cases
o Equal opportunities
3



1.3
Leading the team
Advanced payroll processing
o Pay awards
o Pay spines
o Teachers pay structure
o Remuneration packages
o Introduction to flexible benefits
o End of year processing
o Directors NICs
o Salary sacrifice
o Termination payments
o Overpayments
Define and manage systems, security and risk
o System requirements, facilities and features
Payroll contingencies
Foundation Degree in Payroll Management Year Three
– Diploma in Payroll Management
The final year of the Foundation Degree in Payroll Management goes
beyond the day to day running of a payroll department and into
management of the payroll team. Completely assignment based, this
year covers:
 Personal effectiveness and professional development
 Work-based project – this is especially beneficial to [insert company
name] as the project is based on my employing organisation and can
be used for an existing, or forthcoming, project
 Flexible benefits, finance and budgets
o Year end returns for benefits and expenses
o Salary sacrifice
o Creating and controlling budgets
 Understanding payroll customers and clients
o Managing time
o Effective presentations
o Problem solving
o Decision making
 Improving payroll services and operations
o Managing operations for services
o Planning, obtaining and monitoring resources
o Benchmarking quality issues
o Planning and delivering projects
o Managing change and continuous improvement
o Appraising investments
4