Read the variance report
Compare this run to last period and catch a silently-wrong payroll before you approve.
The **variance report** lists each employee and pay element with the **prior amount**, **current amount**, the **change** and the **% change**. Large swings are highlighted so they're easy to spot.
Reason flags — new hire, leaver, structure change, rate change, proration — explain the differences you'd expect. Anything highlighted without a reason is worth a second look before you lock the run.
It's the single best habit in payroll: review variance every cycle, and nothing changes silently.
Related articles
The payroll run lifecycle, explained
Run → Review → Approve & lock → Disbursement → Remittances → Rollover. The same flow every month.
Review pre-run checks before you approve
The checks that catch missing bank accounts, zero net pay and unusual swings — before money moves.
Pay your team: disbursement & the NIBSS file
Turn an approved run into a bank payment batch, approve it (maker-checker), download the NIBSS file, reconcile.
Didn't find it?
Open a ticket or talk to the team — we'll help you get unstuck.