Payroll involves much more than making sure employees are paid on time. It includes calculating earnings and deductions, maintaining employee records and helping a business meet its responsibilities to SARS.
Distance learning short courses in payroll can introduce you to these processes without requiring you to attend daily classes. You can study from home and organise your learning around your work or personal responsibilities.
There are different ways to approach payroll studies. You can take a focused short course through Skills Academy or study it as part of UNISA’s broader Course in Practical Bookkeeping. The best option depends on how much time you have, whether you have Matric and how widely you want to develop your financial skills.
UNISA Distance Learning Short Courses in Payroll
UNISA does not currently offer a Short Learning Programme that focuses only on payroll. It does, however, offer a Course in Practical Bookkeeping, which includes several topics related to payroll.
The programme is a good example of how payroll fits into the wider bookkeeping function of a business. Instead of covering only employee salaries, it also teaches students how financial transactions are recorded and controlled.
UNISA Course in Practical Bookkeeping
The Course in Practical Bookkeeping takes one year to complete. It is presented in English and is aimed at people who work with business documents or basic financial records but have limited bookkeeping knowledge.
It may also suit a small business owner who wants to understand how everyday financial transactions should be recorded.
Students begin with basic accounting principles before moving on to cash and credit transactions, inventory, bank reconciliations, trial balances and financial controls. The later parts of the programme introduce income tax, PAYE, VAT, the Compensation Fund, UIF and payroll accounting.
Payroll is therefore an important part of the programme, but it is not its only focus.
What Are the Entry Requirements?
UNISA requires applicants to have a Senior Certificate, National Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification.
The programme also has set registration and starting dates. Prospective students should check the official UNISA page before applying because dates, fees and availability can change from one academic period to another.
Payroll-Related Courses at UNISA
UNISA’s Course in Practical Bookkeeping is relevant to payroll because its curriculum includes PAYE, UIF, the Compensation Fund and payroll accounting.
It is best suited to students who want broader bookkeeping knowledge rather than training focused only on processing payroll. The programme takes one year and requires Matric or an equivalent qualification.
Applicants should check the official UNISA programme page for the latest registration dates, fees and application instructions.
Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns Short Course
If you want a shorter course with a more direct payroll focus, Skills Academy offers a Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns course.
The course is offered through distance learning and can be completed from home. It may appeal to people working in administration, human resources or bookkeeping, as well as small business owners who want a better understanding of payroll and tax records.
No previous bookkeeping or payroll experience is listed as a requirement. This makes it an accessible starting point for someone exploring the field for the first time.
The course is a non-accredited provider programme. This means it develops practical knowledge but does not lead to an NQF-registered qualification.
How Is the Payroll Course Structured?
The Skills Academy course contains one main subject, Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns. It is divided into three learning phases that introduce students to payroll, basic bookkeeping and tax-related records.
You will explore how employee details and employment agreements affect payroll information. The course also introduces VAT, including the difference between taxable and non-taxable supplies, how VAT is calculated and how VAT returns work.
The aim is to give students a practical introduction to the information used in everyday payroll and financial administration. It does not train you to become a registered tax practitioner.
How Will I Be Assessed?
Students complete the assessments set by Skills Academy. These are based on the material covered during the course and are used to check that students understand the main concepts.
You do not need to register for an external ICB examination to complete this particular short course. The assessment process is managed as part of the Skills Academy programme.
Before registering, you can ask a course expert how many assessments there are, how they must be submitted and how long you will have to complete them.
How Long Does the Course Take?
The Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns short course takes approximately three months.
Because it is offered through distance learning, you can fit your studies around your schedule. This does not mean there is no structure, though. You will still need to work through the material and submit the required assessments.
Three months may be a practical study period for someone who wants to add payroll knowledge to an existing administrative role without committing to a longer accounting programme.
What Certificate Will I Receive?
Students who successfully complete the course receive a Skills Academy Short Course Certificate.
This is a provider-issued certificate and not an accredited NQF qualification. It shows that you completed the course, but it should not be described as a national certificate, diploma or professional designation.
The value of a short course lies mainly in the skills and knowledge you gain. It can help you become more confident in your current role or add relevant training to your CV.
ICB Accounting and Payroll Courses
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers also offers a Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns professional certificate. This should not be confused with Skills Academy’s three-month provider programme.
The ICB subject follows the ICB’s own registration, assessment and certification requirements. It can also form part of a broader financial accounting study pathway.
If you are comparing the two options, look carefully at the name of the awarding body. The Skills Academy short course leads to a Skills Academy certificate, while the ICB-assessed subject leads to an ICB or IQB professional certificate when its requirements are met.
The right choice will depend on whether you want a short introduction or intend to continue with structured ICB accounting studies.
Why Study Payroll and Accounting?
Payroll sits between accounting, tax administration and human resources. A payroll employee needs to work accurately because a small error can affect someone’s salary or the figures recorded by the business.
Training can help you understand how earnings, deductions and employee information fit together. It can also introduce you to the purpose of PAYE, UIF, VAT and other records that may form part of a business’s monthly administration.
These skills may be useful even if payroll is only one part of your job. Office administrators, HR assistants, bookkeepers and small business owners can all benefit from understanding how payroll information is prepared and recorded.
Can I Study Payroll Without Matric?
You can study the Skills Academy Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns short course without Matric. The course page lists no formal entrance requirement.
You should still be comfortable reading in English and working with basic figures. Payroll requires concentration and attention to detail, particularly when dealing with deductions and employee information.
UNISA has different requirements. You need a Senior Certificate, National Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification to apply for its Course in Practical Bookkeeping.
Skills Academy may therefore be the more accessible option if you do not have Matric or want a shorter introduction to payroll.
What Is the Difference Between Bookkeeping and Payroll?
Bookkeeping deals with the wider financial activity of a business. A bookkeeper may record sales, purchases, payments, receipts and bank transactions. These records help show how money moves into and out of the organisation.
Payroll concentrates on employees. It involves earnings, deductions, payslips and the records connected to paying staff.
The two functions are linked because salaries and payroll deductions must eventually be recorded in the accounts. This is why bookkeeping programmes often contain at least some payroll training.
Levels of Further Accounting Study
A short payroll course can be a useful starting point, but it is not the only study option available.
If you discover that you enjoy working with financial information, you could continue with subjects in bookkeeping, computerised accounting, financial statements, taxation or cost and management accounting.
Entry-level studies normally introduce the accounting cycle and basic business calculations. More advanced programmes move into areas such as financial reporting, tax, management accounting and business law.
You do not need to decide on an entire accounting career before starting a short course. Focused payroll training can help you decide whether you want to continue in this direction.
What Qualifications or Certificates Can You Receive?
The award you receive depends on the programme you choose.
The Skills Academy Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns course leads to a provider-issued short course certificate. UNISA’s Course in Practical Bookkeeping is a university Short Learning Programme rather than a degree, diploma or higher certificate.
The ICB Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns subject follows a separate professional certificate route.
These awards are not interchangeable, even when some of the course content overlaps. Check the certificate type, assessment requirements and awarding institution before paying your registration fees.
Payroll Course Costs
Course fees depend on the programme you select and what is included.
Before registering, ask whether your fees cover the learning material, assessments, student support and certificate. If you choose an externally assessed professional certificate, there may be additional registration or examination fees.
Skills Academy offers payment options for its courses. You can request the latest fee information directly from the institution before deciding whether the course fits your budget.
UNISA provides a fee quotation facility for its Short Learning Programmes. The fees for the Course in Practical Bookkeeping for the 2026 academic year is R8071.00 (as of August 2026), with study fees subject to change every academic year.
Career Opportunities in Payroll
Payroll training may support entry-level applications in payroll, bookkeeping, human resources or financial administration.
Possible roles include payroll assistant, payroll clerk, accounts clerk, bookkeeping assistant, HR administrator and financial administrator.
A short course does not guarantee employment. Employers may also look for work experience, spreadsheet skills, payroll software knowledge and the ability to handle confidential information carefully.
Additional FAQs
UNISA offers a one-year Course in Practical Bookkeeping that includes PAYE, UIF, the Compensation Fund and payroll accounting. It is not a standalone payroll course because it also covers a wide range of bookkeeping topics.
Yes. Skills Academy’s Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns short course does not list Matric as an entrance requirement. UNISA’s Practical Bookkeeping programme requires a Senior Certificate, National Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification.
The Skills Academy course takes approximately three months. UNISA’s Practical Bookkeeping programme takes one year because it covers payroll within a much broader bookkeeping curriculum.
No. It is a non-accredited provider short course. Students who complete it successfully receive a Skills Academy Short Course Certificate.
Yes. The Skills Academy course is offered through distance learning, so you can organise your studies around your work schedule. You will still need to make time for the material and assessments.
The listed Skills Academy curriculum focuses on payroll concepts, employee information, bookkeeping and VAT. It does not promise training on a specific payroll software package. Confirm this with Skills Academy if software training is important to you.
No. Payroll focuses on paying employees and recording their earnings and deductions. Bookkeeping covers the wider financial transactions of a business. The two functions are connected because payroll transactions must be included in the business’s accounting records.
You can study the Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns course through Skills Academy. It is a three-month distance learning course with no formal entrance requirement listed.
Build Your Payroll Knowledge From Home
Distance learning short courses in payroll offer a practical way to learn without putting your other responsibilities on hold.
Skills Academy’s three-month course may suit you if you want focused payroll training, do not have Matric or prefer a shorter programme. UNISA’s Practical Bookkeeping course may be a better match if you meet the admission requirements and want to study payroll as part of a wider bookkeeping programme.
Take time to compare the course content, duration, costs and certificate before registering. The best option is the one that matches both your current circumstances and your longer-term goals.
Last Updated: 17 August 2026