Payroll Bureau on AtlasOS
AtlasOS for Payroll Bureau (payroll_bureau) is built for specialist payroll processors managing EMP201, EMP501, UIF, and COIDA across multiple employer clients. The sidebar is unique — with a Payroll Compliance group expanded by default and deadlines relabeled to Payroll Deadlines. The default landing view is Compliance (not Tasks), putting payroll deadlines front-and-centre.
Default Configuration
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Firm Type Key | payroll_bureau |
| Solo Mode | No |
| Default Landing View | Compliance |
| Entity Types | Pty (Ltd), Close Corporation |
Modules Enabled by Default
| Module | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tasks | ON | Payroll run checklists and task workflows |
| Compliance Calendar | ON | EMP201, EMP501, UIF, COIDA deadlines |
| Client Portal | ON | Secure payslip delivery and document exchange |
| Time Tracking | ON | Billable hours per employer client |
| Billing | ON | Invoices and payment tracking |
| Payroll Obligations | ON | EMP201, EMP501, UIF, COIDA compliance tracking |
| Broadcasts | ON | Bulk email to employer client segments |
| Contracts | ON | Engagement letters |
| Onboarding Forms | ON | Employer intake forms |
| Chat | ON | Real-time chat with clients |
Modules Disabled by Default
Smart Inbox (OFF), AI Agents, AFS Reports, Management Accounts, CIPC/Secretarial, Audit, Sales CRM, Accounting Sync, SLA Tracking, Project Milestones, and all Nonprofit modules.
Note: Note: Smart Inbox is OFF by default for payroll bureaus. Enable it in Settings → Modules if you want AI email triage.
Compliance Bodies
| Jurisdiction | Bodies | Pre-Seeded Obligation Types |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | SARS, DOL | PAYE Filing, PAYE Payment, EMP501 Annual, EMP501 Interim, UIF Monthly, COIDA Return of Earnings |
| Zambia | ZRA, NAPSA, NHIMA, TEVETA | ZM PAYE Monthly, NAPSA Monthly, NHIMA Monthly, SDL Monthly |
Terminology
| Standard Label | Payroll Bureau Label |
|---|---|
| Client | Client |
| Clients | Employers (sidebar entity group label) |
| Engagement | Engagement |
| Compliance Deadlines | Payroll Deadlines (sidebar compliance label) |
Sidebar Layout
The Payroll Bureau has a unique, streamlined sidebar:
| Group | Label | Items | Expanded? |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | (standalone) | Dashboard | — |
| — | (standalone) | Smart Inbox | — |
| Work | Work | Tasks, Calendar | Yes |
| Clients | Employers | Employers (entities), Entity Groups, Client Portal | Yes |
| Compliance | Payroll Compliance | Payroll Deadlines, Onboarding | Yes |
| Finance | Finance | Time & WIP, Billing | No |
| Documents | Documents | Documents | No |
| Admin | Administration | Activity Log, AI Agents, Settings | No |
Key Differences from Accounting Layout
- Entity group relabeled to Employers
- Compliance group relabeled to Payroll Compliance and expanded by default
- Compliance item relabeled to Payroll Deadlines
- Default landing is Compliance (not Tasks)
- No Projects, Workflows, Persons, Account Manager, Bank Statements
- No Financial Reports, Practice Intelligence
- No Sales CRM (Quotes, Proposals, Pipeline)
- No Audit & Quality group
Payroll-Specific Features
EMP201 Deadline Tracking
Auto-generated EMP201 deadlines across every employer client:
- Due on the 7th of each month (or last business day before a weekend/public holiday)
- Staff reminders at T-7 and T-3
- Filing status tracking: Pending → Filed → Confirmed
- Bulk status view across all employer clients
→ Full documentation: Payroll Deadlines
EMP501 Reconciliation
Bi-annual EMP501 reconciliation tracked per employer:
- Interim (August) and Annual (May) submission deadlines
- Reconciliation checklist with status tracking
- SARS eFiling submission reference tracking
→ Full documentation: EMP501 Reconciliation
Payroll Run Management
Each payroll run spawns a structured task checklist:
- Data capture → Processing → Review → Submission → Distribution
- Owner assignment and due dates per step
- Run-level status visible on the employer dashboard
→ Full documentation: Payroll Runs
Secure Payslip Delivery
Generate and deliver payslips via a secure, branded employee portal:
- Employees access payslips directly — no email attachments or WhatsApp PDFs
- Full audit trail of every delivery
- Bulk distribution per payroll run
→ Full documentation: Secure Payslips
Leave Management
Track employee leave across employer clients:
- Leave balances, accruals, and usage reporting
- Leave request and approval workflows
- BCEA compliance for annual, sick, and family responsibility leave
→ Full documentation: Leave Management
Next Steps
- Payroll Deadlines — EMP201 and submission tracking
- EMP501 Reconciliation — Bi-annual reconciliation
- Employer Entities — Managing employer client records
- Payroll Runs — Structured payroll task workflows
- Secure Payslips — Employee portal and payslip delivery
- Leave Management — Leave tracking and BCEA compliance