
Why payroll errors cost more than you think and how to stop them
Why payroll errors cost more than you think – and how to stop them
Payroll errors aren’t just an admin hiccup. They can create serious financial problems, damage employee trust, and trigger compliance issues that take up hours of your time. For business owners, that means distraction from what you’re actually good at, running your business.
The good news? Preventing payroll mistakes is simpler, less stressful, and far more cost-effective than cleaning up the mess after something’s gone wrong.
Let’s look at what payroll errors can really cost and how to reduce the risk with the right processes, systems, and support.
When payroll goes wrong: the real costs
Getting payroll right every pay cycle is more important than most people realise. Here’s what can go wrong and what it can cost you.
Underpaying your team
Missed hours, incorrect award rates, or misclassified roles can lead to underpayments that quickly add up. You might not notice until it’s too late, but once flagged, you could be facing:
Back pay for every affected employee
Interest or penalties from the Fair Work Ombudsman
A loss of trust within your team
Overpaying without knowing
If you’ve overpaid someone and didn’t pick it up straight away, recovering those funds can be legally tricky and awkward. In many cases, businesses wear the loss.
Superannuation mistakes
Late or incorrect super payments don’t just lead to admin headaches. You could be charged the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC), which adds interest and admin costs on top of what you already owe.
Payroll tax errors
Misreporting your payroll tax obligations can trigger penalties or audits from your state revenue office resulting in more cost, more time, more stress.
At First Class Accounts Ovens & Murray, we help reduce the risk of all these errors with end-to-end payroll support. Our payroll specialists handle everything from setup and processing to compliance, so nothing gets missed.
It’s not just about money, it’s about people
People rely on their pay being accurate and on time. When it’s not, it affects more than just their bank balance.
Repeated payroll issues can cause:
Low staff morale
A drop in productivity
Increased staff turnover
A damaged employer reputation
In small business, trust matters. If your team can’t rely on their pay being right, it impacts your workplace culture and retention. Word gets out quickly, especially in tight-knit communities like Albury Wodonga.
When you outsource your payroll to a trusted bookkeeper like First Class Accounts Ovens & Murray, you’re not just paying for a service, you’re investing in your team’s confidence and satisfaction.
Payroll compliance is no longer optional
Australian payroll legislation is detailed, technical, and constantly changing. Staying across award conditions, leave entitlements, super rules, and Fair Work requirements is a full-time job in itself.
If your business is found to be non-compliant, the consequences can be serious:
Audits or investigations by the Fair Work Ombudsman
Fines of up to $93,900 per breach for businesses
Legal action or enforceable undertakings
Risk of unfair dismissal claims from incorrect final payments
Payroll errors can also have flow-on effects like inaccurate leave accruals, incorrect termination payouts, or poor financial data for decision-making.
We work with business owners to keep everything above board and up to date. Whether you're employing staff for the first time or managing a growing team, First Class Accounts Ovens & Murray can help ensure your payroll is accurate, compliant, and audit-ready.
Prevention is better (and cheaper) than the fix
Fixing payroll errors once they’ve happened is rarely quick and it’s never cheap. Prevention, on the other hand, sets you up for smoother operations and fewer surprises. Here’s how to reduce your risk.
1. Use a payroll expert, not just software
Software can automate payroll but it can’t interpret awards or advise on leave entitlements. Payroll specialists know the rules and ensure everything aligns with your obligations.
2. Keep your systems clean
Payroll relies on accurate timesheets, award rates, super details, and more. Our bookkeeping team can review your data regularly to keep it clean and consistent.
3. Document your payroll process
A clear process helps everyone know what needs to happen each pay cycle, especially useful when team members are away or your business grows.
4. Stay up to date with changes
We track updates to legislation, awards, and superannuation thresholds so you don’t have to. You’ll always be compliant. No surprises, no missed changes.
5. Automate what you can
We help implement connected apps and tools to reduce manual handling and human error. Think time tracking, leave approvals, award interpretation, and pay run automation, all working together.
A better way to manage payroll
When payroll is reliable, your team is happy, your compliance is covered, and you’ve got fewer interruptions to your day. That’s where we come in.
At First Class Accounts Ovens & Murray, we take the stress out of payroll with a service that’s accurate, consistent, and done-for-you. Whether you’ve got one employee or a growing workforce, we’ll make sure your payroll runs like clockwork, so you can get back to business.
If you’ve been burnt by payroll mistakes or want peace of mind that everything’s being done right, let’s talk.