Payroll errors When asked if errors were tracked, over 83% stated they either fully tracked them, or the majority were tracked by their payroll team. 17% stated there was no tracking process in place.
When exploring this further, it is evident those who did not track payroll errors estimated that within the previous tax year (2020-21) there were around 12,764 payslip errors identified by all respondents. Those who fully tracked advised there were 7,584, which is considerably less than those who did not track. This suggests tracking reduces the amount of payslip errors and provides a more accurate picture of the number of errors. The CIPP recommend where errors aren’t tracked, a process should be implemented for this, which could reduce the amount dramatically. In addition, those members of the team needing extra support could be identified and errors in processes can be addressed. Unfortunately, even with the comprehensive software available for processing payroll, sometimes overpayments occur. When asked about overpayments, over 60% of respondents advised that there had been an overpayment in the previous tax year.
Of the 31,530 overpayments reported across all respondents, 93% had been recovered in full. However, that figure increases to 97% when analysing the results of those who tracked their payroll errors.
The successful recouperation of overpayments by those who track their payroll errors also supports the implementation of error tracking. This could simply be done via a spreadsheet, on which errors are logged, or by more enhanced processes, where Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are imposed alongside risk registers. Implementing a quality improvement cycle would assist in identifying the root cause and recognise where improvements need to be made to processes.
Data security/confidentiality Data security and confidentiality results showed:
● 6% of respondents noted there was at least one instance of a payslip being sent to an incorrect employee ● 4% of respondents noted there was at least one instance of personal data divulged to an unauthorised source ● 3% of respondents noted there was at least one instance of another organisation’s personnel data being received by an unauthorised source
11
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker