Audit intermediate Works with: Any AI

Payroll Run Checklist Review

Table output Has example

Check each step of a payroll cycle for control gaps.

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[VERIFY] is an editorial flag, not a blank to fill. Wherever the prompt shows [VERIFY], check that item against a reliable source before you use it.

Audit my payroll process. Steps as currently done, in order: [PAYROLL_STEPS]. Number of employees: [EMPLOYEE_COUNT]. Who prepares, who approves and who pays: [ROLES]. Software used: [SOFTWARE].

Check for separation of duties, approval of changes (new starters, leavers, pay rises), checks on hours and overtime, comparison with the previous run, reconciliation of totals to bank payments, secure handling of bank details and records of approvals. Mark each control present, partial or missing.

Return a control matrix, three highest risks with fixes, and a checklist for each payroll run. Keep personal data out of this chat; use codes. Pay and tax rules are [VERIFY] with a payroll professional for [JURISDICTION].

Add a worked control matrix with invented ratings. Preparation of hours by the team lead: present. Entry of changes by the payroll clerk: present. Approval of changes by a manager: partial, because approvals are by email and not always kept. Comparison with the previous run: missing. Reconciliation of net pay to the bank file: present. Release of payment by someone other than the preparer: missing in months when the clerk is on leave. Storage of bank details: partial, because a spreadsheet is emailed. Score each control from 0 to 2 and total the score out of 14, showing the arithmetic, for example 2 + 2 + 1 + 0 + 2 + 0 + 1 = 8 out of 14 or 57 percent. Rank the missing controls by risk: payment released by the preparer is the highest. Provide fixes: a rota for backup approvers, a checklist signed each run, a variance report compared with the previous period and secure storage with limited access. Add a short run checklist with ten steps and tick boxes, a note on keeping evidence of approvals for the period the law requires [VERIFY], and a plan for a quarterly internal check by someone independent. Confidential information should be handled using codes in this review. Add an escalation route if a payment error is found after payment, including the message to the employee affected.

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Invented control scores, 0 to 2.
Preparation of hours: 2. Entry of changes: 2. Approval of changes: 1 (emails not always kept). Comparison with the previous run: 0. Net pay reconciled to the bank file: 2. Payment released by someone other than the preparer: 0 (in months when the clerk is on leave). Storage of bank details: 1.
Total = 2 + 2 + 1 + 0 + 2 + 0 + 1 = 8 out of 14 = 57 percent.
Highest risk: payment released by the preparer. Fix: backup approver rota and a signed checklist each run.

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