California may be famous for its sunshine, but for payroll professionals, it’s just as well known for its complex—and ever-changing—employment laws. If you’re responsible for payroll in the Golden State, compliance isn’t just a challenge—it’s a must.
This CPE course on California Payroll Compliance is designed to help you navigate the unique legal landscape with clarity and confidence. While California occasionally mirrors federal standards—such as in overtime calculations, workweek definitions, and regular rate of pay—it often goes further, setting its own rules in critical areas like wage statements, meal and rest breaks, and mandatory workplace postings.
We’ll also cover the implications of the recently enacted Anti-Wage Theft Law, which increases employer accountability and raises the stakes for noncompliance.
By the end of this course, you’ll understand:
Where California law diverges from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
How to comply with California-specific payroll requirements
What the most common compliance pitfalls are—and how to avoid them
How to apply both federal and state rules correctly when they overlap
Major Topics :
Minimum Wage & Overtime Rules
Workweek Structures & Shift Pay
Paystub, Final Pay, & Methods
Required Notices & Posters
Meal Breaks & Sick Leave
Special Pay Considerations
Learning Objectives :
Understand 2025 California minimum wage updates and their payroll implications.
Apply California and federal wage laws to accurate payroll preparation.
Calculate California overtime correctly, including impact of the Alvarado Decision.
Identify what qualifies as hours worked under California labor law.
Explain rules for breaks, meal periods, and related penalty situations.
Comply with paystub, sick leave, and final pay requirements in California.
Credits and Other information:
Recommended CPE credit – 1.5
Recommended field of study – Taxes
Session Prerequisites and preparation: None
Session learning level: Basic
Location: Virtual/Online
Delivery method: Group Internet Based
Attendance Requirement: Yes
Session Duration: 90 minutes
Who Will Benefit:
CPA
Enrolled Agents (EAs)
Tax Professionals
Attorneys
Other Tax Preparers
Finance professionals
Financial planners
About Our Speaker
Vicki M. Lambert, CPP, is president and academic director of The Payroll Advisor™ a firm specializing in training payroll professionals. With over 40 years of hands-on experience in all facets of payroll functions as well as over 20 years as a trainer and author, Ms. Lambert is a sought-after and respected voice in the practice and management of payroll issues. She has conducted open market training seminars on payroll issues across the United States that have been attended by executives and professionals from some of the most prestigious firms in business today.
