Gain real payroll skills with real career impact, 100% online.
- A practical career pathway for career starters or changers
- Accredited by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), powered by Sage
- A bespoke payroll qualification delivered exclusively by ICS Learn
Get Your Free ICB Course Guide
We make your career goals more affordable than ever.
Interest-free* plans so you can stay within your budget
No third-party finance – everything is managed in-house by us
Hassle-free employer funding – we can invoice your company directly
Affordable low deposits so you can start right away
Why study an ICB qualification?
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) is one of the leading professional bodies for bookkeeping and payroll professionals in the UK. Studying an ICB payroll course can help you:
- Develop practical payroll processing skills
- Gain experience with industry-leading Sage payroll software
- Improve your CV with a recognised professional qualification
- Progress into payroll and finance roles across a wide range of industries
ICB and Sage Level 2 Certificate in Payroll Administration
- Ideal for beginners with no formal payroll experience
- Gain both an ICB qualification and a digital Sage badge showcasing payroll software skills
- Qualify for entry-level roles like Payroll Administrator or Payroll Assistant
- Average salary: £25,000 - £30,000‡
€93/month interest-free*
Payments
5 months
Deposit
€87
Total Price
€551
or
ICB and Sage Level 3 Diploma in Payroll
- Perfect if you've studied ICB & Sage Level 2 or have equivalent experience
- Gain both an ICB qualification and a digital Sage badge showcasing payroll software skills
- Qualify for mid-level roles like Senior Payroll Administrator or Payroll Manager
- Average salary: £32,000 - £40,000‡
€93/month interest-free*
Payments
5 months
Deposit
€111
Total Price
€575
or
ICB and Sage Level 2 Certificate & Level 3 Diploma
- Perfect if you're new to accounting with little to no experience
- Save time and money and gain two ICB qualifications with integrated payroll software training
- Qualify for roles like Payroll Administrator, Payroll Manager, or Payroll Supervisor
- Average salary: £38,000 - £50,000‡
€98/month interest-free*
Payments
10 months
Deposit
€99
Total Price
€1,073
or
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ICB and Sage Payroll FAQs
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) is a professional organisation that provides recognised qualifications in bookkeeping, accounting, and payroll. As one of the largest bookkeeping organisations in the world, they're widely respected by employers in the finance industry.
Designed to teach practical, job-ready skills that can help you start or progress in your career, ICB courses typically cover areas like financial records, payroll processes, tax compliance, and accounting software.
If you're looking to start or advance your career in payroll, our online ICB payroll courses – powered by Sage – combine industry-recognised training and software ideal for modern professionals.
You can study 100% online, at your own pace – from anywhere in the world, while gaining the skills employers value.
Sage is a leading global provider of business software used by companies around the world to manage tasks like accounting, payroll, and financial reporting.
Many organisations around the world rely on Sage software to process employee pay, calculate tax, and keep up-to-date payroll records.
With Sage being so widely used in the finance industry, learning how to use Sage payroll software is a particularly valuable skill when starting your career.
Since employers often look for candidates who are already familiar with payroll systems, an ICB and Sage payroll course gives you a major leg up.
Yes, payroll can be a great career choice, especially if you’re looking for a stable role with strong long-term demand!
Every organisation needs payroll professionals to ensure employees are paid correctly and on time, which means payroll positions are in demand across nearly every industry.
Starting a career in payroll can open the door to a range of opportunities, too. Many professionals begin in entry-level roles such as Payroll Administrator or Payroll Assistant.
However, as you gain experience, you can progress into payroll management positions, earning an average of £41,000 per annum.
So, if you enjoy working with numbers, problem-solving, and playing an important role in how businesses operate, a career in payroll can be incredibly rewarding.
Yes! Gaining a payroll qualification can definitely be worth it if you’re interested in working in finance, HR, or business administration.
With payroll being an essential function in every organisation, businesses are always looking for people who understand how to manage payroll processes and stay compliant with tax and employment legislation.
This means that payroll training not only helps you develop your career but also offers you practical, job-ready skills. Among other things, you’ll learn how to:
- Calculate pay
- Manage statutory deductions
- Keep accurate payroll records
If you’re looking to start a career in payroll or strengthen your skills in finance or accounting, gaining a recognised payroll qualification can help demonstrate your knowledge and give you confidence working with real payroll systems.
In short, a payroll course can be a practical investment if you want to build a stable career with great pay and opportunities to grow and specialise in finance or payroll.
You don’t always need formal qualifications to start working in payroll, but having payroll training or a recognised payroll qualification can make it much easier to get started and progress in the field.
Many people begin their payroll career in entry-level roles such as Payroll Administrator, Payroll Assistant, or Finance Assistant, where they learn the basics of payroll processes and payroll software on the job.
However, employers often look for candidates who already understand key areas such as payslips, tax deductions, and payroll legislation.
Enrolling on an accredited payroll course is a great way to build these skills and demonstrate your knowledge to employers.
That's where ICB payroll courses powered by Sage come in, combining professional training with practical experience using payroll software that businesses can rely on:
- ICB & Sage Level 2 Certificate in Payroll Administration
- ICB & Sage Level 3 Diploma in Payroll Management
- ICB & Sage Level 2 and 3 Payroll Combined Course
As you progress, you'll be able to progress to more senior roles in the field.
*Any offer of credit is made by ICS Learn and is subject to your status and eligibility.
‡Salary averages are based on Hays UK Salary & Recruiting Trends 2026 Report and Reed Salary Guide 2026.
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