Payroll Field Descriptions

A reference table of field descriptions.

Fields Descriptions
Default overhead
Calculation method Select Percent overhead at this prompt to specify that you want to have an additional payroll burden added to job cost based on the percentage method. This would add an additional percentage amount calculated on the total burdened payroll dollars. The next prompt then asks for the actual percentage you want for the overhead calculation. Enter the percentage as follows: 5% would be entered as 5.00 (the system converts it to a percentage for calculation). The payroll overhead feature is used for adding additional overhead to your jobs (for example, small tools expense) over and above your normal payroll burdens. If this option is selected, the Default percent field displays on this screen. In the Default percent field, enter the default payroll overhead percentage amount.

Select Amount per hour at this prompt to calculate the payroll overhead as an amount per hour instead of a percentage of payroll dollars. This gives you another method for calculating your overhead rate; some contractors like to use hours as their basis for allocation because it is more constant and doesn't fluctuate like payroll dollars. The next prompt then asks for the rate, which is the rate per hour for your overhead calculation. This rate is entered as a rate per hour (for example, $1.50 per hour) and is calculated based on total payroll hours not adjusted for overtime (one overtime hour is counted as 1 overhead hour, not 1.5 hours). If this option is selected, the Default amount/hour field displays on this screen. In the Default amount/hour field, enter the default payroll overhead amount per hour.

Select No overhead if you want to calculate the payroll without any overhead.

Default percent If the Calculation method was Amount per hour or left blank, this prompt will not display.

If the Calculation method is Percent overhead, then enter the default percent to be used for overhead calculation.

OR If the preceding field was Percent overhead or left blank, this prompt will not display.

If the payroll overhead type is Amount per hour, then enter the dollar amount per hour to be used for overhead calculation.

Phase Decide which phase code you will typically use, if any, when the system posts Payroll overhead to Job Cost. If this field is left clear, then when adding new jobs the system will default all overhead to post to the same phase as the earnings specified in Time Card Entry. Instead, if a phase code is designated, then the default when adding new jobs will be for overhead amounts to post to this phase exclusively. This entry will serve as a default only when jobs are added, and can be overwritten as needed.

Your response in this field will serve as a default when future jobs are added. Any entry in this field has no effect on existing jobs; desired changes to existing jobs must be done in Jobs.

Cost type Decide which cost type you will typically use, if any, when the system posts Payroll overhead to Job Cost. Press F4 or double-click on this field to select from a list of valid cost types. If this field is left blank, then the default when adding new jobs will be for any overhead to post to the same cost type as the earnings specified in Time Card Entry. Instead, if a cost type is designated, then the default when adding new jobs will be for overhead amounts to post to this cost type instead of the labor cost type specified in Time Card Entry. This entry will serve as a default only when jobs are added, and can be overwritten as needed.

Your response in this field will serve as a default when future jobs are added. Any entry in this field has no effect on existing jobs; changes to existing jobs must be done in Jobs.

Default burden
Actual payroll burdens? This checkbox determines whether you will want to post actual payroll burden or a percentage to job cost when the payroll cycle is updated.

Select this checkbox if you want actual burden from payroll to job cost to default when adding new jobs. Leave this checkbox clear if you want the percentage burden to default when adding new jobs. If this checkbox is left clear, you will be prompted to specify the default percentage for burden when new jobs are added. For example, you should enter 30 if the desired burden percentage will be 30%. This entry will serve as a default only when jobs are added and can be overwritten as needed.

Your selection will serve as a default when future jobs are added. Whether or not you select this checkbox has no bearing on existing jobs; changed to existing jobs must be done in Job Master File Maintenance.

Pre-time card burden% If the Actual payroll burden checkbox is left clear, this prompt will not display.

If you selected the Actual payroll burden checkbox, then this prompt will display. Enter the pre-time card percentage burden that will be used if you have specified that Pre-Time Card Entry information is included on some of the job cost inquiries. When you include Pre-Time Card Entry hours and dollars on a report or inquiry screen, the system will add an additional amount for burden. It will use the percentage that you specify here for that burden calculation. This is an estimated burden and is used only at the time of reporting or inquiring.

If you left this checkbox clear, then the Default burden % prompt will display. In this case, you are using a burden percent for all your postings to job cost and that same percentage will be used for pre-time card burdens as well.

Phase Enter the phase code you will want to use, if any, when the system posts payroll burden to job cost. If this field is left blank, then the default when adding new jobs will be for burden to post to the same phase as the earnings specified in Time Card Entry. Instead, if a phase code is designated, then the default when adding new jobs will be for burden amounts to post to this phase exclusively. This entry will serve as a default only when jobs are added, and can be overwritten, as needed.

Your response in this field will serve as a default when future jobs are added. Any entry in this field has no effect on existing jobs; desired changes to existing jobs must be done in Jobs.

Cost type The software is prompting for the cost type you will typically want used, if any, when the system posts payroll burden to job cost. Press F4 or double-click on this field to select from a list of valid cost types. If this field is left blank, then the default when adding new jobs will be for burden to post to the same cost type as the earnings specified in Time Card Entry. Instead, if a cost type is designated, then the default when adding new jobs will be for burden amounts to post to this cost type instead of the labor cost type specified in Time Card Entry. This entry will serve as a default only when jobs are added, and can be overwritten, as needed.

Your response in this field will serve as a default when future jobs are added. Any entry in this field has no effect on existing jobs; changes to existing jobs must be done in Jobs.

Note: About Non-cash Add-ons

Payroll Burden does not include any Non-Cash Add-ons appearing on the Properties tab of union setup. Non-Cash Add-ons burden costs are always attributed to the Labor Phase Code, regardless of the values in the Phase and Cost Type fields.