Task Management for Payroll
Payroll follows a rigid cyclical structure, so task management is template-driven. AtlasOS uses compliance templates and workflow step templates to auto-generate recurring task checklists for every employer in your portfolio.
How Payroll Tasks Work
- Compliance templates define the recurring obligation (e.g. Monthly PAYE submission)
- Workflow step templates attach to the obligation type and define the checklist steps
- When the compliance engine generates a new obligation (e.g. "EMP201 - April 2025"), it auto-spawns the linked workflow tasks
- Tasks appear in the Tasks sidebar item, filtered and assignable per team member
Setting Up Recurring Checklists
Step 1 — Create a Compliance Template
Navigate to Settings → Compliance Templates and create a template:
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Template Name | Monthly Payroll Run |
| Obligation Type | PAYE Filing |
| Regulatory Body | SARS |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Due Day | 7th of following month |
Step 2 — Attach Workflow Steps
For the template, define workflow step templates:
| Step | Task Name | Default Assignee | Due Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capture hours, leave & variable pay | Payroll Administrator | T-5 |
| 2 | Process payroll in payroll software | Payroll Administrator | T-4 |
| 3 | Review payroll report & exceptions | Payroll Manager | T-3 |
| 4 | Authorise payroll for payment | Director | T-2 |
| 5 | Submit EMP201 to SARS | Payroll Administrator | T-1 |
| 6 | Distribute payslips via portal | Payroll Administrator | T-0 |
| 7 | File processing report | Payroll Administrator | T-0 |
Step 3 — Assign to Employers
Assign the template to employer entities via their service flags. Each employer with the PAYE service flag will automatically receive the full checklist every month.
Task Workflow Stages
Tasks spawned from payroll workflows follow the standard compliance workflow:
Pending → Preparation → Internal Review → Client Approval → Filing → Payment Pending → Closed
Bulk Operations
For bureaus with many employer clients:
- View all payroll tasks across all employers in the practice-wide Tasks view
- Filter by employer, status, assignee, or due date
- Bulk-update task status across multiple employers
Related Pages
- Payroll Runs — Structured payroll run workflows
- Payroll Deadlines — EMP201 and EMP501 tracking