Prior Period Adjustment

Learn about Prior Period Adjustment and more with Workstream and improve your hiring vocabulary. Workstream helps companies hire better, faster - everyday.

In business, payroll is one of the primary factors that impact employees. One mistake in payroll could lead to costly mistakes that can have a ripple effect on the company. If left unremedied, payroll mistakes can lead to costly penalties and employee dissatisfaction. In payroll, timing and accuracy of information are key. Does it have to be error-free each pay period? Yes; that is the goal that payroll administrators and employers must achieve. While the objective is a smooth payroll process every single time, what can be done if there’s been a mistake? 

What is the meaning of a Prior Period Adjustment (PPA)? 

A Prior Period Adjustment or PPA refers to a correction that is made to rectify a reported time, pay or classification on a previous payroll run. This means that a payroll error has already been committed and an employer or payroll administrator needs to make the necessary correction through a PPA.  

When is it necessary to make a Prior Period Adjustment (PPA)?

A Prior Period Adjustment (PPA) is necessary when something has been overlooked such as a timesheet error. Each mistake can hurt an employee’s wages and benefits. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), there are protections and benefits that specific employees are entitled to that include minimum wage regulations and overtime pay. Consequently, all employee information must be accurate so that they are not deprived of any protection and benefit due to them. 

What are some examples of situations that require a Prior Period Adjustment (PPA)?

Here are some situations that merit prompt Prior Period Adjustment (PPA): 

As per FLSA standards, all non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay. Employers should pay them not less than time-and-a-half (1.5x the employee’s normal hourly wage) if they worked over 40 hours in a single workweek. 

In this scenario, if the employee was incorrectly classified as being an exempt employee, the result is that the employee will not be paid for overtime hours. 

How long before a payroll admin or employer can make a Prior Period Adjustment (PPA)?

While the exact timeframe to make payroll adjustment can vary from state to state, payroll administrators and employers must act immediately upon learning about any payroll mistake. If you act as soon as possible, you can avoid penalties and prevent the mistake from becoming worse. Not only that, correcting mistakes as soon as you can show employees that you are a fair employer and that you value their hard work. 

If you need to carry out a PPA, you can do so through any of the following:

What are some tips to prevent the need for a Prior Period Adjustment (PPA)?

To avoid payroll mistakes and having to carry out a PPA, there are strategies that employers and payroll admins can do. First, always be updated on laws and policies regarding payroll. Remember that rules can be updated and amended that can affect how employees are paid. Be in the know at all times to save your company from payroll errors. Next, equip your company with the right payroll software for your needs. It is a good idea to invest in payroll software to avoid manual errors. 

Furthermore, remind employees to check and double-check timesheets accordingly. Doing so before the timecard deadline is best so they can check everything unhurriedly. Finally, if you have payroll software, you can key reports before actual payroll processing. This will help you check all the information and catch mistakes before they happen. 

Try out Workstream to hire employees for
your business

A revolutionary hiring process for Hourly positions

A revolutionary hiring process for Hourly positions Hiring hourly staff in San Francisco can be a tough job. Workstream can help accelerate the process by letting you post on job boards like Indeed within seconds.


1-Click Job Posting

No more tedious copy and pasting. We integrate with all the top job boards. All applicants funnel into one intuitive dashboard.

Text-to-Apply Posters

Print out your unique QR code and text message number. Applicants scan/text to see all open positions and apply right away.

Automated & 2-Way SMS

Engage with applicants via text. Include links to screening questions, forms, and more. Use 2-way text to answer questions.

Endless Integrations

Connect Workstream to your calendar so applicants can schedule interviews. Streamline onboarding with background check & HR integrations.

Candidate Tracking & Scoring

View all your applicants and employees in one place. Make notes on their progress. Access their docs anytime from anywhere.

Customizable Templates

We provide templates for everything from job postings to offer letters. Send links to docs and tax forms via text message so new hires sign digital copies.

What other owners
think about hiring through Workstream

"This is a great time saving system"


A&W Canada

"We have received a large increase in applicants. Also, Workstream makes it very easy to organize and message new applicants. "


"The flexibility and adaptability of their platform is ideal built for our small business. Speaking from experience, I can say that Workstream's dedication to customer support, client support and sincere appreciation and utilization of feedback is exceptional. Their team consistently demonstrates genuine care for our business needs. The accessibility we enjoy to their content creators and program designers is exactly what our small business needs. At no point in our interactions do I for a moment feel as though we are not their most valued client. At the conclusion of every conversation with their team, I feel better informed and more capable of using their platform to its fullest."


DeliverThat


Currently hiring on Workstream for:

Independent Catering Delivery Drive...

Holley's Copy of zzzzzzzzzz (DO NOT...

Independent Catering Delivery Drive...