Certified Forensic HR, Payroll & Pension Data Analytics
Course Overview
This comprehensive, hands-on training program equips participants with the knowledge and technical skills to investigate, audit, and enhance the integrity of payroll and pension systems through data analytics. Designed for professionals across the finance, HR, and audit sectors, the curriculum emphasizes real-world application of forensic techniques to detect payroll fraud, assess compliance, and develop insights for process improvement.
Participants will gain deep exposure to payroll and pension frameworks from the UK, Nigeria, Canada, and the USA, fostering a well-rounded, cross-jurisdictional understanding. The training incorporates case studies, dashboards, scripting tools, collaborative audit workflows, and regulatory compliance practices.
- Duration: 8–10 Weeks
- Format: Hybrid (Live Virtual Classes + Self-paced Modules)
- Target Audience: Accountants, Auditors, HR/Payroll Professionals, Forensic Analysts, Compliance Officers

- Capstone Project: Yes
- Certification: Issued upon successful completion (includes digital badge)
- Tools Covered: Excel, SQL, Power BI, Python, Jira, Trello, Azure DevOps
Learning Objectives
- Understand payroll and pension system architecture and associated fraud risks
- Analyze and interpret payroll and pension data using modern analytics tools
- Detect anomalies, errors, and fraud schemes using forensic methodologies
- Apply Excel, SQL, Power BI, and Python in payroll and pension investigations
- Conduct audit workflows and collaborate effectively using Trello, Jira, and Azure DevOps
- Present findings professionally to stakeholders and regulatory authorities
Curriculum Modules
Module 1: Introduction to Payroll & Pension Forensics
- Overview of Global Payroll & Pension Systems
- Importance of Forensic Data Analytics
- Common Payroll and Pension Fraud Schemes
- Regulatory and Compliance Frameworks (UK, Nigeria, Canada, USA)
Module 2: Country-Specific Payroll and Pension Structures
- UK: PAYE, National Insurance, Auto-enrolment
- Nigeria: PAYE, PIT, PRA, NHF, NSITF, ITF
- Canada: CPP, EI, Group RRSPs, Provincial Taxes
- USA: Federal Tax, FICA, 401(k), Roth IRA, State Contributions
Module 3: Accounting and Payroll Fundamentals
- Payroll Journal Entries and Reconciliation
- Payroll Accruals, Budgeting, and Allocation
- Internal Controls and Segregation of Duties
- End-of-Year Reporting and Compliance
Module 4: Forensic Audit Techniques in Payroll
- Fraud Typologies: Ghost Workers, Overpayments, Benefits Abuse
- Audit Planning, Evidence Collection, Risk Assessment
- Real-World Case Studies and Red Flag Indicators
- Documentation Standards and Reporting
Module 5: Advanced Excel for Payroll Analytics
- PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH
- Conditional Logic (IF, SUMIFS) and Reconciliation Templates
- Payroll Monitoring Dashboards
- Data Cleaning and Transformation Techniques
Module 6: SQL for Payroll Data Analysis
- HR/Payroll Database Structures
- Writing Audit Queries: Overtime, Duplicate Records, Anomalies
- Joins, Aggregates, Filtering Techniques
- Exporting and Validating Pension Records
Module 7: Python for Payroll Forensics
- Introduction to Python and Jupyter Notebooks
- Data Wrangling with Pandas and NumPy
- Payroll Fraud Detection Models and Alerts
- Automating Payroll Reports and Audits
Module 8: Power BI for Payroll & Pension Dashboards
- Designing Interactive Payroll Dashboards
- Pension Fund Contribution Tracking and Forecasting
- Geo-mapping Payroll Deductions
- Drill-through Reports and Real-time KPI Monitoring
Module 9: Jira & Trello for Investigation Management
- Agile Workflow for Payroll Audit Projects
- Trello Boards for Task and Evidence Tracking
- Jira for Sprint-based Investigation Collaboration
- Audit Documentation and Case Review Tools
Module 10: Azure DevOps for Payroll Projects
- Git-based Version Control for Audit Scripts
- Pipeline Automation for Payroll Data Processes
- Collaboration and CI/CD in Data Projects
- Monitoring Script Execution and Performance
Module 11: Reporting & Presenting Forensic Findings
- Structuring Forensic Payroll Audit Reports
- Communicating Insights to Stakeholders
- Regulatory Reporting Requirements
- Legal and Ethical Considerations in HR Forensics
Module 12: Capstone Project & Certification
- Hands-on Payroll Audit Simulation (Choose UK/Nigeria/Canada/USA Case)
- Dashboard Development, Reporting, and Peer Review
- Instructor-led Feedback and Final Assessment
- Official Certification and Digital Badge Issuance
Certification Criteria
- Completion of all course modules
- Active participation in discussions and exercises
- Submission and presentation of Capstone Project
- Minimum 75% attendance and engagement
Tools & Software Used
- Tool
Excel
Financial modeling, dashboards, reconciliation
SQL Server
Data extraction, audit queries, reporting
Power BI
KPI tracking, visualizations, geo-mapping
Python
Automation, anomaly detection, scripting
Jira
Investigation sprints, issue tracking
Trello
Task and evidence tracking
Azure DevOps
Automation pipelines, script versioning