# Running payroll

> Academium SMS Help › Human Resource
> For: School Owner, School Admin, Accountant
> Web page: https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-running-payroll
> Last updated: 2026-10-06

Open **Payroll → Payslips** to run the month's payroll.

## The stages

Each month's payroll moves through these stages:

| Stage | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| **Not generated** | No payslips yet for this month |
| **Generated** | Payslips have been created and can still be changed |
| **Pending** | Submitted for approval |
| **Approved** | All approval levels have agreed |
| **Paid** | Salaries have been paid and recorded |

## 1. Generating payslips

1. Choose the month.
2. **Adjust** for this month only, if needed:
   - **exclude** lines from someone's pay grade, for example an allowance that does not apply this month;
   - **add a one-off payment or deduction**, such as a bonus.
3. Generate.

### Generating one person's payslip

You can also generate a payslip for a single member of staff. It shows their **basic salary**, each **allowance** and **deduction** from their pay grade, any **overtime** (with the hourly rate it was paid at), and the **net salary**, before you choose **Generate Payslip**. Add remarks if needed.

A member of staff with **no pay grade** cannot have a payslip generated. Assign one first. See [Assigning pay grades](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-assigning-pay-grades.md).

See also [Overtime](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-overtime.md).

## 2. Submitting for approval

Check the payslips, then **submit** them. They are sent to the approvers as one group, and their status becomes **Pending**.

You can **withdraw** a submission before it is decided, for example to correct a mistake. The group is withdrawn together.

## 3. Approval

Approvers approve or reject the submission. See [Payroll approvals](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-payroll-approvals.md). If it is returned, correct it and submit again.

## 4. Paying

Once approved, pay staff and record it. See [Paying staff](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-paying-staff.md).

## Keeping track

The page shows the month's **payroll total**, how much has been **paid**, and what is **outstanding**. **Print payslips** for staff at any stage.

## Undoing a payroll

Generated payslips can be **deleted** and generated again. A paid payroll can only be **reversed** by someone with the right to do so.

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