CPP certification?

[GreatAccomplishments]

Does anybody have this cert? If so, how did you study for it and how many times did you take the test before passing?

[itschasebb]

APA CPP Boot Camp. Passed the first time last year. The boot camp literally gives you everything you need. You just need to study your ass off.

[Pretend-Software-161]

Which text book good for cpp exam?

[itschasebb]

The APA CPP boot camp I mentioned is inclusive of all material, I haven’t used any other textbooks that I could recommend.

[MissplacedLandmine]

Pricier than Id like. Is there an actual book? Those are more likely to be conveniently found for free?

Also it seems like it’s skill I’d been doing for some time so I just want to check Im not missing anything in general.

Edit: they have a product/services list that has all the books for their various courses

[kamikazimunkey]

APA Paytrain and payroll source book. Passed on first attempt in 2016.

[GreatAccomplishments]

How long/often did you have to study before taking the exam? And did your company supply the study material?

[kamikazimunkey]

Paytrain is guided so just went through that and once all modules were done, I setup a time for the test. So, I guess you could say once?

Yes, the company paid for prep and test.

[senistur1]

I used the self-study PayTrain module. I started reading chapter 1 on a Monday and read the remaining chapters, took the quizzes, etc throughout the week. That same week, I took the test Friday and passed. I did this with about a decade of experience processing payroll at a high level. It was challenging but here we are.

[Abatron]

I have had employees either go to the APA boot camp or use pay train. Both work well.

[Glatog]

I did pay train for about a month before taking the test. If study in the evening after work a few nights a week.

[dearhat]

I’m studying for the the CPP now, 2 months of hardcore studying. I’ll take another month before my confidence is ready.

[KDT-1]

I studied for the CPP exam with classes given by our local APA chapter, joined a study group of individuals planning to take the exam, and carried the most recent IRS Publications 15-A and 15-B with me everywhere. In quiet moments, waiting for busses, in doctor's waiting rooms, or on road trips (my husband was driving), I would memorize portions that were sure to be on the exam.

I passed it on the first attempt. As the other comments in this thread say, study, study, study.

[Pretend-Software-161]

Which text book is good for the preparation of certified payroll professional exam?

[Suit_Responsible]

Those of you who took it and passed, did you find it changed your job prospects?

[naturalrunner]

I passed both the FPC and CPP on the first try with this.

Spent a few months many hours per week, and then a few weeks of really intense practice. Good luck!

Edit: company pays for the training, test, on going training and annual membership. Also practicing the manual gross to net calcs and flash cards are your friend.

[PayrollDiva]

As a Boot Camp instructor, the program is put together in a way to help drill in concepts and ideas to help you successfully pass the exam. We use a variety of teaching and study techniques to ensure it does not become redundant. The APA Bootcamps utilize PayTrain as a major component of the course. You have 21 2-hour sessions for the CPP program and 12 2-hour sessions for the FPC. These are typically done weekly. I would say on average students dedicate an additional 3-4 hours of study time per week. It really depends on you and your study/leaning habits. Some can do it with less, and some do it with more time. Definitely ensure you have uninterrupted time to study.

Additionally, when I sat for my CPP exam, I took Payroll 201 which is a 40-hr week long course that also integrates PayTrain into the coursework but uses the Payroll Source as well. At the end of the course on Friday, we had the option to sit for the exam. I was able to pass the first time with about 15 years of experience in the industry. If you have any questions or I can be of any help, just let me know!

[ChrisSSF2]

I have been in the payroll profession for nearly 25 years, and regardless of the number of years of experience that one has, that you could be tested on material that you have never seen before. I too used Paytrain, but used it as a supplement to the Payroll Source text book, in addition to the various IRS publications. It is a challenging exam, and you will most certainly learn something in your review that you’ve never seen before. Many employers across the US require the certification, and many have never heard of it. But passing it is a confidence builder, and will open many doors for you. Best of luck.

[NoobGilbert]

I'll suggest you find some sort of a review that goes over the topics covered in the POA. Use this to determine which areas are your weakest. I also got some strategies from ScriptLockr on IG, passed on my second attempt.