Timecard Approval and Sign-Off Audit

Purpose

Confirm that approvals, sign-offs, exceptions, and late edits are controlled before payroll close.

How to use this checklist

Run this review with a system administrator, payroll/timekeeping owner, operational manager, and reporting or integration owner. Mark each item Pass, Needs Work, or Not Applicable and capture evidence.

Checklist

• [ ] Approval access is limited to the correct manager population
• [ ] All missed punches and unresolved exceptions have an owner
• [ ] Employee approvals are complete where required
• [ ] Manager approvals are complete for the correct pay period
• [ ] Sign-off occurs only after validation is complete
• [ ] Post-sign-off edits follow a documented historical correction process
• [ ] Audit records identify who changed, approved, or removed approval
• [ ] A final exception and totals report is retained

Minimum evidence to retain

• Screenshot or export of the applicable configuration.
• Test employee, test date, expected result, and actual result.
• Named owner and due date for every failed item.
• Approval showing the business owner accepted the final result.

Stop and escalate when

A failed control could affect payroll, employee access, compliance, or a closed pay period. Do not use production edits as the first test.