Tips on Avoiding Overpayments

Payroll Coordinators: Here are a few tips from the Payroll Office on how to prevent overpayments.

1. Review your Check Registers

   In many cases, an overpayment can be avoided by canceling a paycheck or direct deposit before it is issued. Check Registers are usually made available 2-4 days before payday and will show you details of the upcoming paycheck for each employee in your department. Compare the Check Registers to your timesheets and any other documentation you have to indicate what your employees should be paid. If you notice discrepancies, immediately email payme@u.washington.edu.

2. Check PERMs for errors

   A Post Entry Review Message is generated every time you make a change in OPUS. It is a good idea to read the PERM for every OPUS entry you make to ensure the changes are correct.

3. Make sure employees turn in timesheets on time

   A majority of the overpayments at the University are due to late reporting of leave without pay. Try to foster awareness among departmental employees and supervisors of when timesheets are due. This can greatly cut down on the number of overpayments generated by your department.

Payroll Box 355655 A Division of Financial Management payroll@u.washington.edu Modified: January 16, 2004

University of Washington 3903 Brooklyn Ave. NE Seattle, WA 98105 Office (206)543-9202 Fax (206)543-8137 Box 355655 Hours: 8am - 5pm