Control step that confirms submitted hours are reviewed and ready for the current payroll run before cutoff.
Timesheet approval is the step where the submitted time record is reviewed and accepted for payroll use.
Payroll does not want to calculate pay from unreviewed or incomplete time. Approval tells payroll that the reported hours are ready to move into the run.
Timesheet approval matters because it affects:
It is also one of the clearest examples of how payroll depends on upstream workflow. Payroll cannot stay accurate if time enters the run without enough review.
Timesheet approval appears after time is submitted but before payroll is finalized. Payroll relies on approval to:
That makes approval a control step between time collection and payroll calculation.
| Approval check | Why payroll cares |
|---|---|
| Total hours look reasonable | Prevents obvious overpayment or underpayment |
| Overtime is expected | Confirms the right premium rules should apply |
| Leave codes are correct | Prevents paid and unpaid time from being mixed up |
| Exceptions are resolved | Keeps incomplete records out of the run |
An employee submits a timesheet on Friday, and the manager approves it on Monday before payroll cutoff.
Because the timesheet is approved in time, payroll can include those hours in the current run. If approval came too late, payroll might need to move the hours to a later cycle or create an adjustment.