, SM 5-1
Solution Manual For Payroll Accounting 2020 6th Edition by Jeanette Landin, Paulette
Schirmer
SOLUTIONS MANUAL: CHAPTER 1 END OF CHAPTER ANSWERS
ANSWERS TO STOP AND CHECK EXERCISES
Which Law?
1. K
2. H
3. B
4. F
5. I
6. J
7. A
8. D
9. G
10. C
11. E
Which Payroll Law?
1. D
2. A
3. F
4. C
5. G
6. J
7. B
8. I
9. E
10. H
What’s Ethical?
1. Answers will vary. Some concerns include data privacy and integrity in the software
switchover, tax and employee pay integrity on the new software, and employee pay methods.
Copyright © 2020 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution
without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
, SM 5-2
2. Answers will vary. Liza could choose to ignore her sorority sister’s request, claiming
Confidentiality. She could also discontinue active participation in the sorority. In any case, Liza
must not consent to her sorority sister’s request for confidential information.
Confidential Records
As a payroll clerk, your task is to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the information you
maintain for the company. If a student group—or any personnel aside from the company’s
payroll employees and officers—wishes to review confidential records, you should deny their
request. If needed, you should refer the group to your department’s manager to discuss the matter
in more depth. The laws that apply to this situation are the Privacy Act of 1974, the Freedom of
Information Act, and potentially HIPAA.
Large vs. Small
1. Large companies face issues with multiple departments, employee access to online
personnel portals, employee data security, and timekeeping accuracy.
2. For small companies, the cost of outsourcing the payroll function needs to be considered.
On one hand, a small company may not have personnel who are proficient with payroll
regulations and tax reporting requirements, which leaves a company vulnerable to legal
actions and stringent fines. However, engaging a payroll service company may be cost
prohibitive. The decision to outsource the payroll for a small company should consider
the number of personnel, locations, and types of operations in which the company
engages.
Copyright © 2020 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution
without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
, SM 5-3
What Is the Difference?
a. Manual payroll systems involve the use of paper and pencil recordkeeping or a
spreadsheet program, such as Microsoft Excel. This is most appropriate for very small firms.
b. Computerized payroll systems can be used by any company, regardless of size. Examples
of computerized systems include, QuickBooks, Sage 100, and Microsoft Dynamics GP.
These computer packages range in price, depending on the company size and operational
scope.
c. Outsourced payroll involves the engagement of a third party to manage a company’s
payroll data, issue employee compensation, and prepare tax forms.
d. Certified payroll pertains to companies with employees who work on federal government
contracts. Certified payroll ensures that a company reports payroll expenditures of
contractually allocated money.
ANSWERS TO END-OF-CHAPTER MATERIALS
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What is the purpose of a payroll system?
a. Provide for internal and external reporting of employee wages and associated taxes,
payment of employee compensation, and monitoring of benefits to employees. It also
serves as a means of tracking labor costs that managers use for decision-making,
budgeting, and planning.
2. What are two differences between large- and small-company payroll practices?
a. Small companies would have fewer employees and reporting requirements, and
would be less likely to be required to have automated payroll systems.
Copyright © 2020 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution
without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Solution Manual For Payroll Accounting 2020 6th Edition by Jeanette Landin, Paulette
Schirmer
SOLUTIONS MANUAL: CHAPTER 1 END OF CHAPTER ANSWERS
ANSWERS TO STOP AND CHECK EXERCISES
Which Law?
1. K
2. H
3. B
4. F
5. I
6. J
7. A
8. D
9. G
10. C
11. E
Which Payroll Law?
1. D
2. A
3. F
4. C
5. G
6. J
7. B
8. I
9. E
10. H
What’s Ethical?
1. Answers will vary. Some concerns include data privacy and integrity in the software
switchover, tax and employee pay integrity on the new software, and employee pay methods.
Copyright © 2020 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution
without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
, SM 5-2
2. Answers will vary. Liza could choose to ignore her sorority sister’s request, claiming
Confidentiality. She could also discontinue active participation in the sorority. In any case, Liza
must not consent to her sorority sister’s request for confidential information.
Confidential Records
As a payroll clerk, your task is to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the information you
maintain for the company. If a student group—or any personnel aside from the company’s
payroll employees and officers—wishes to review confidential records, you should deny their
request. If needed, you should refer the group to your department’s manager to discuss the matter
in more depth. The laws that apply to this situation are the Privacy Act of 1974, the Freedom of
Information Act, and potentially HIPAA.
Large vs. Small
1. Large companies face issues with multiple departments, employee access to online
personnel portals, employee data security, and timekeeping accuracy.
2. For small companies, the cost of outsourcing the payroll function needs to be considered.
On one hand, a small company may not have personnel who are proficient with payroll
regulations and tax reporting requirements, which leaves a company vulnerable to legal
actions and stringent fines. However, engaging a payroll service company may be cost
prohibitive. The decision to outsource the payroll for a small company should consider
the number of personnel, locations, and types of operations in which the company
engages.
Copyright © 2020 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution
without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
, SM 5-3
What Is the Difference?
a. Manual payroll systems involve the use of paper and pencil recordkeeping or a
spreadsheet program, such as Microsoft Excel. This is most appropriate for very small firms.
b. Computerized payroll systems can be used by any company, regardless of size. Examples
of computerized systems include, QuickBooks, Sage 100, and Microsoft Dynamics GP.
These computer packages range in price, depending on the company size and operational
scope.
c. Outsourced payroll involves the engagement of a third party to manage a company’s
payroll data, issue employee compensation, and prepare tax forms.
d. Certified payroll pertains to companies with employees who work on federal government
contracts. Certified payroll ensures that a company reports payroll expenditures of
contractually allocated money.
ANSWERS TO END-OF-CHAPTER MATERIALS
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What is the purpose of a payroll system?
a. Provide for internal and external reporting of employee wages and associated taxes,
payment of employee compensation, and monitoring of benefits to employees. It also
serves as a means of tracking labor costs that managers use for decision-making,
budgeting, and planning.
2. What are two differences between large- and small-company payroll practices?
a. Small companies would have fewer employees and reporting requirements, and
would be less likely to be required to have automated payroll systems.
Copyright © 2020 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution
without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
