Lesson 1Attendance and overtime capture: rules, rounding, approvals, and integration with HRIS/time systemsThis part details catching attendance and overtime right, including time rules, rounding ways, approval steps, and linking with HRIS and time setups, making sure inputs to payroll figures are rule-following and steady.
Defining workday and workweek rulesTime entry methods and validationRounding rules and compliance risksOvertime capture and approval flowsSyncing time data to payroll systemsMonitoring exceptions and missing punchesLesson 2Reporting, tax filings, and statutory remittances: payroll provider vs employer dutiesYou will learn to build payroll report and tax filing steps, set which jobs go to employer or provider, and make sure timely sending of taxes and rule payments while keeping clear records and check paths.
Core payroll and management reportsQuarterly and annual tax filing cyclesEmployer vs provider compliance dutiesReconciling wages, taxes, and filingsStatutory remittance timing and methodsMaintaining audit-ready documentationLesson 3Recordkeeping and archival: pay stubs, tax forms, payroll journals, retention periodsYou will learn to build payroll record keeping, including pay slips, lists, journals, and tax papers, set hold times by paper type and area rules, and set safe storage and get-back steps for checks and questions.
Key payroll records and their purposesDesigning pay stubs and earning statementsPayroll journals and register structuresRetention rules by record typeSecure storage and access controlsResponding to audits and record requestsLesson 4Pay calculation, validation, and approval workflow: owner roles, sign-offs, and timing for semi-monthly payrollHere we build the full pay figuring, checking, and approval step, setting roles, controls, and times for semi-monthly payroll so gross-to-net results get checked, signed, and let out right and on time.
Building the semi-monthly payroll calendarRunning gross-to-net calculation cyclesException and variance review reportsManager and finance approval stepsCutoffs for changes and rerunsFinal release and post-payroll reviewLesson 5Handling exceptions: off-cycle payments, corrections, retroactive pay adjustmentsThis part explains managing off-time runs, fixes, and back pay changes, including when to use extra payrolls, how to refigure taxes and perks, and how to record approvals to cut risk and mix-up.
When to run off-cycle payrollsCorrecting prior payroll errorsRetroactive pay and rate changesRecalculating taxes and deductionsDocumenting approvals and rationaleCommunicating adjustments to employeesLesson 6Funding and payment execution: ACH, payroll provider responsibilities, bank reconciliationsThis part covers how to fund payroll, plan ACH and other pay ways, work with payroll providers and banks, and do checks so cash moves, fees, and duties are right, on time, and fully trackable.
Determining payroll funding timelinesGross-to-net and cash requirement reportsACH, wires, and check payment workflowsProvider and bank roles and SLAsReconciling payroll bank accountsHandling returned or rejected paymentsLesson 7Integration points and tools: HRIS, timekeeping, payroll provider portals, spreadsheets, APIsHere we look at how payroll links with HRIS, timekeeping, perks, and bank tools, and how to use provider doors, spreadsheets, and APIs to set data flows, cut hand work, and boost rightness and sight.
Mapping payroll-related data flowsHRIS and timekeeping system interfacesUsing payroll provider portals effectivelySpreadsheet controls and templatesAPI-based integrations and automationMonitoring integration errors and fixesLesson 8Earnings calculation: salaried vs hourly, overtime math, bonuses, commission handlingThis part explains how to figure regular and overtime pay for salary and hourly staff, handle bonuses and shares, and use right rates, shares, and limits so earnings are right, checkable, and rule-following each time.
Classifying salaried vs hourly employeesSetting base rates and pay calendarsOvertime eligibility and rate calculationsProrating pay for partial periodsBonus and commission calculation methodsDocumenting earnings rules and approvalsLesson 9Deductions and withholdings: taxes, benefits, garnishments, pre-tax vs post-tax treatmentsHere we detail how to set tax, perk, and take deductions, tell pre-tax from post-tax items, and use limits, orders, and area rules so net pay is correct and law-following for every worker and pay time.
Mapping statutory vs voluntary deductionsPre-tax vs post-tax deduction treatmentFederal, state, and local tax setupBenefit premium and contribution rulesGarnishment order priority and limitsTesting net pay and deduction accuracyLesson 10Payroll data inputs: time & attendance, hire/term/change notices, leave and benefits feedsThis part focuses on setting and checking payroll input data, including time and attendance, hires, ends, job shifts, and perk updates, and building controls so only full, approved data goes into each payroll run.
Standardizing time and attendance inputsProcessing hires, terms, and job changesCapturing leave and benefit data feedsCutoff times for payroll input changesValidating completeness and accuracyOwnership of input review and sign-off
