As we all know, payroll is critical to any operation. Processing payroll in a timely and accurate manner is a cornerstone for any successful business. Obviously, in order to process payroll smoothly, it’s important to understand your payroll system. But when your workforce includes hourly employees, it's a little more complex. It is just as important to understand your Time and Labor managing system and your data collection process for these employees.
First, let’s identify some key challenges companies face when processing hourly payroll:
- Employees have insufficient knowledge of time clocks/mobile application, detracting from payroll accuracy
- Field Managers don't fully understand the payroll process; causing errors and inconsistencies downstream
- Overly-busy Managers hold up the timesheet approval and submission process, causing delays
- Poor Business Process Design (i.e.cumbersome approval process, poor resource allocation, lack of role clarity, etc)
Now let’s review the 4 ways to reduce payroll processing time:
1. Train, Train, and Train More–
There’s quite a few challenges that stem from lack of knowledge transfer. The more knowledgeable your team members are regarding the payroll process and competent with the time and labor system, the better off you’ll be come payroll day.
2. Create a Strategic Business Process –
Make sure that your employees are operating as efficiently as possible. This could be as simple as delegating timesheet submission responsibilities to a manager working onsite (they’re closer to the business). Or upgrading data collection methods for employees, so the timecard data contains less errors and it will lessen time for the manager to update.
3. Share the Wealth –
Distribute the workload. Make sure that managers have enough time when submitting/approving timecards to ensure an accurate payroll. It’s important not to overload certain resources, so payroll processing activities can be completed more accurately.
4. Take Advantage of Your Time and Labor System –
Most Time and Labor solutions allow you to manage your business from wherever you are, no matter how large or decentralized your workforce might be. Utilize the full systems functionality. It helps ensure that employees and supervisors are doing what they’re supposed to, when they’re supposed to. For example some payroll resources can trigger alerts if timesheet submission deadlines are nearing. Or they can automate the time and labor system’s approval process.
EPAY's full time and attendance system helps companies reduce payroll processing time duration, especially with an hourly workforce. For more information, learn how we can integrate with virtually any payroll supplier.
Cut your administrative work in half with EPAY’s Payroll Management and Tax Filing Services. Get started with a live demo today!