Lesson 1Attendance and overtime capture: rules, rounding, approvals, and integration with HRIS/time systemsThis part details how to record attendance and overtime correctly, including time rules, rounding policies, approval processes, and links with HRIS and time systems, ensuring compliant and steady inputs for payroll calculations.
Defining workday and workweek rulesTime entry methods and checksRounding rules and compliance risksOvertime recording and approval flowsLinking time data to payroll systemsWatching exceptions and missing recordsLesson 2Reporting, tax filings, and statutory remittances: payroll provider vs employer dutiesYou will learn to set up payroll reporting and tax filing processes, decide which tasks are for the employer or provider, and ensure timely payment of taxes and required contributions while keeping clear records and audit paths.
Main payroll and management reportsQuarterly and annual tax filing cyclesEmployer vs provider compliance tasksMatching wages, taxes, and filingsStatutory payment timing and methodsKeeping audit-ready recordsLesson 3Recordkeeping and archival: pay stubs, tax forms, payroll journals, retention periodsYou will learn to set up payroll record-keeping, including pay slips, registers, journals, and tax forms, define holding periods by document type and area, and establish secure storage and retrieval for audits and queries.
Key payroll records and their usesDesigning pay slips and earning statementsPayroll journals and register setupsHolding 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 set up the full pay calculation, validation, and approval process, defining roles, controls, and timelines for semi-monthly payroll so that gross-to-net results are checked, approved, and released correctly and on time.
Building the semi-monthly payroll calendarRunning gross-to-net calculation cyclesException and difference 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 how to handle off-cycle runs, corrections, and backdated adjustments, including when to use extra payrolls, how to recalculate taxes and benefits, and how to record approvals to lower risk and confusion.
When to run off-cycle payrollsCorrecting past payroll errorsBackdated pay and rate changesRecalculating taxes and deductionsRecording approvals and reasonsCommunicating adjustments to staffLesson 6Funding and payment execution: ACH, payroll provider responsibilities, bank reconciliationsThis part covers how to fund payroll, schedule ACH and other payment ways, work with payroll providers and banks, and do reconciliations so that cash movements, fees, and liabilities are correct, on time, and fully traceable.
Determining payroll funding timelinesGross-to-net and cash need reportsACH, wires, and cheque payment processesProvider and bank roles and agreementsReconciling 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, benefits, and banking tools, and how to use provider portals, spreadsheets, and APIs to standardise data flows, cut manual work, and boost accuracy and visibility.
Mapping payroll-related data flowsHRIS and timekeeping system linksUsing payroll provider portals wellSpreadsheet controls and templatesAPI-based links and automationWatching integration errors and fixesLesson 8Earnings calculation: salaried vs hourly, overtime math, bonuses, commission handlingThis part explains how to calculate regular and overtime pay for salaried and hourly workers, handle bonuses and commissions, and apply right rates, adjustments, and limits so earnings are correct, checkable, and follow policy each time.
Classifying salaried vs hourly employeesSetting base rates and pay calendarsOvertime eligibility and rate calculationsAdjusting pay for partial periodsBonus and commission calculation methodsRecording earnings rules and approvalsLesson 9Deductions and withholdings: taxes, benefits, garnishments, pre-tax vs post-tax treatmentsHere we detail how to set up tax, benefit, and garnishment deductions, tell pre-tax from post-tax items, and apply limits, priorities, and area rules so net pay is right and legally compliant for every worker and pay period.
Mapping required vs voluntary deductionsPre-tax vs post-tax deduction handlingFederal, 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 defining and checking payroll input data, including time and attendance, hires, endings, job changes, and benefit updates, and setting controls so only full, approved data enters each payroll run.
Standardising 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
