The Institute offers two certification programs for payroll administrators and managers, and advocates for the profession and employers' interests through government lobbying and its magazine, Dialogue.
Since 1996, the Institute has hosted National Payroll Week in Canada, coinciding with the observance in other countries.
The CPA was founded in 1978 by a group of payroll practitioners who proposed changes to the first Record of Employment (ROE) form.
They advocate on behalf of employers to federal and provincial/territorial governments, seeking to proactively influence payroll- and benefits-related legislation to enable all stakeholders to administer them in an efficient and effective manner.
The CPA's Annual Conference & Trade Show, held in a different city each year, is a payroll networking event featuring more than 50 educational and keynote sessions.