How do I read Payroll Cost Analytics?

Last reviewed 12 October 2026 · Part of Analytics dashboards

What did we spend on payroll this period, is that normal versus last time, where is the money going, and what needs a second look before finalising?

Who it's for: HR manager / payroll administrator (post-run review before finalising); finance controller / CFO (monthly / quarterly trend).

KPI tiles

• Total Payroll — gross earnings, with % change vs. the prior processed period.
• Total Employer Cost — gross plus employer SSF/PF/scheme contributions (true cost to the company).
• Net Disbursement — total net pay actually paid out.
• Headcount — employees on payroll, with change vs. prior period; click to drill into the roster.
• Cost per Employee — gross ÷ headcount (a rising value is flagged bad).
• Deduction Rate — % of gross withheld, with pp change vs. prior period.

Charts & tables (by tab)

• Overview — What Changed from Prior Period waterfall (new hires, pay changes, exits); Payroll Cost Trend line (12 periods, Gross/Net/Deductions); Cost by Department bar (toggles Net Pay ↔ Cost per Employee; click to drill).
• Compensation — top earning & deduction components; Payroll Flow waterfall (Gross → deductions → Net); statutory contributions grid by department and who-pays.
• Departments — cost summary grid (headcount, gross, deductions, net, avg/min/max); cost-per-employee bar (departments with 2+ staff).
• Anomalies — readiness badges, then grids: Significant Pay Changes (>10% net move), High Pay Concentration (>10% of net, needs 10+ staff), Zero/Negative Net Pay, Hired This Period, Overtime This Period.

Filters & controls

• Period picker + Group / Location / Department multi-selects; four tabs; metric switcher on the department chart; drill-downs on Headcount and department bars.