Patrick PhanderaHiring your first employee is a big step, and your first pay run can feel daunting. The good news is that payroll follows the same pattern every month. Once it’s set up properly, it becomes routine.
Set Up Before Payday
Most payroll problems come from missing information, so get the basics in place first.
Employee details to collect
- Full name, start date and job title
- Salary or hourly rate
- Tax details (for example a UK tax code, a US withholding form or SARS details)
- Bank details for payment
- Leave entitlement
Running the Pay Run
On payday, review hours, overtime and any leave taken, then calculate pay, deductions and employer costs. Check the totals before you approve, pay your staff, and file with the tax authority as required.
“Payroll is about trust. People remember the one month they were paid late.”
After Payday
Keep a record of every pay run and the payslips you issued. Put the next filing deadline in your calendar straight away.
BizHub keeps employees, pay runs and leave requests together, with tax details labelled for your country, and its compliance calendar can remind you of upcoming payroll deadlines. Always confirm current rates and filing rules with HMRC, the IRS or SARS.
Garron Kramer
Patrick Phandera