Weekly Payroll Control System

A practical payroll system built from real hospitality operations

Introduction

Weekly payroll in hospitality rarely fails because of the rules. It fails because of missed controls, unclear responsibilities, and last-minute fixes.

The Weekly Payroll Control System is Daou Consulting’s structured, hospitality-tested framework for running payroll accurately, calmly, and on time — every week. 

It is one of the core systems within Back Office Foundations, Daou Consulting’s framework for managing the operational essentials of hospitality businesses.

This system is currently used in a live hospitality business and has been refined to reflect how venues actually operate, not how software manuals assume they do.

What This System Solves

·       Missed or incorrect clock-ins

·       Late roster changes not captured in
payroll

·       Unclear approval responsibilities

·       Payroll being finalised too late in the week

·       Ongoing disputes and corrections after
pay day

Instead of relying on memory or “checking later”, this system builds the controls into the week itself.

What’s Included

✔ Payroll Processing SOP

A clear, step-by-step guide that defines:

·       who does what,

·       by when,

·       using which systems,

·       with clear approval points and audit trails.

Written to be:

·       tool-aware but not tool-dependent,

·       easy to adapt to different venues,

·       safe to delegate without losing control.

✔ Weekly Payroll Checklist

A one-page operational checklist that:

·       anchors critical deadlines,

·       reduces last-minute surprises,

·       and ensures payroll is finalised correctly
each week.

Designed for owners, back-office leads, or trusted administrators.

✔ Implementation Guide

Clear guidance on how the system is adapted to each business:

·       mapping tools,

·       assigning roles,

·       confirming cut-offs,

·       and setting boundaries around statutory
obligations.

How This System Is Used With Clients

Each client version is tailored to their:

·       payroll software,

·       time-tracking method,

·       internal communication tools,

·       and team structure.

The structure stays the same.
The controls stay the same.
Only the tools change.

This ensures consistency, accountability, and clarity — regardless of venue size or systems.

Why Daou Consulting Uses This Approach

This is not a generic payroll template.

It’s the payroll system used in my own hospitality business — refined through real staff, real rosters, and real consequences when payroll isn’t right.

That lived experience is what allows Daou Consulting to design systems that are practical, realistic, and sustainable for hospitality operators.

Who This Is For

This system is suited to hospitality businesses that:

·       run weekly or fortnightly payroll,

·       employ multiple staff and managers,

·       want fewer payroll errors and disputes,

·       and are preparing to delegate back-office
tasks safely.

How This System Fits With Other Controls

Weekly payroll is the single largest fixed cash commitment in most hospitality businesses. This control system doesn’t operate in isolation.

It connects directly to:

• Cash Flow Control System — to ensure payroll is always funded and never reactive

• Purchasing Control System — to prevent wage pressure being compounded by uncontrolled spend

• Statutory Payments & Compliance System — to manage super, PAYG and payroll tax obligations

Together, these systems protect cash flow while maintaining compliance and operational stability.

Implementation typically begins with a Foundations Review, ensuring priorities are clear and systems are introduced in the right order.