One free account / Four ways to use it
Make sense of your paycheck, build payroll knowledge or find resources for your team. All four account options are free.
These are role choices, not levels to climb. You can compare them here without signing in, then choose the role that fits you in your profile.
Start with what brings you here
Free account
For understanding your own pay, deductions, benefits, W-2 and W-4.
This role does not connect to your employer’s payroll records.
Choose employee view →Free account
For learning or working in payroll, from a first payroll responsibility to deeper review work.
Your role is self-declared. It is not a credential or a course pass.
Choose payroll view →Free account
For understanding how people and benefits decisions connect with payroll.
Selecting this role does not verify professional qualifications.
Choose HR / People view →Free account
For finding employer resources, planning payroll responsibilities and exploring hiring support.
This creates no employee records, company payroll access or team seats. Full hiring packets require a separate paid license.
Choose employer view →Available free member features
The common features are available after sign-in and an accepted free profile. On smaller screens, scroll the comparison sideways. Reviewed answers appear where published; a request does not guarantee a personal response.
| Feature | Employee | Payroll | HR / People | Employer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday paycheck guides and educational calculators | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Career explorer and blank résumé templates | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Source resources, planning tools and AI prompt library | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Payroll job search, community and feature ideas | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Free learning samples and public product previews | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Detailed professional benefit / imputed-income guide | Not in this role | Included | Included | Not in this role |
| Available published reviewed answers | General guidance | General + professional | General + professional | General guidance |
The employer choice is not a higher access tier than payroll or HR. Choose the role that matches your use. Professional guide access follows the role saved in your profile.
Experience is separate
New to payroll, processor, analyst / specialist, manager / leader, business owner and not applicable / other describe your background. They do not unlock features, award credentials or make you the site owner.
You can edit your role and experience in My profile. Changes take effect after you explicitly save; choosing a card here never changes an existing profile.
Email is optional
Newsletter and promotional email are separate, voluntary choices. Both can stay off. Your role, experience and state do not turn on either preference.
Open the P.A.Y. sign-in page, review the member terms and privacy notice, then save your free profile. The sign-in page shows the currently enabled methods; email codes and Google are available only when configured. Use only the information needed for your account.
Open My profile →Separate paid products
Full Academy levels and assessments, protected employer hiring packets, standalone learning downloads, custom services and Annual Desk membership have their own paid scopes. Planned certificate programs will also require a separate learning license and completion evidence. Their ordering or enrollment is not open. Role and experience choices do not unlock them.
Merchandise is available through the public store. You can browse without a P.A.Y. account; purchases use the merchant’s current prices, delivery and checkout terms.
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