Jim Courtwood
Author of the Time & Attendance Consultant's Guide Series

Why Small Business Owners Shouldn’t Ignore Payroll and Attendance Reviews 

This follow up to my previous article on  Payroll Compliance Auditing   I take a look at the issue form the business owner's perspective who may be at the point where they are considering selleing thier business...

If you run a small or medium business, chances are your time and attendance practices have “just evolved” over the years. Maybe you hired your first few people informally. You set different pay rates on the fly, made some exceptions here and there, and before long you had a patchwork of rules that don’t look the same across your workforce. 

The problem? What feels flexible today can become a liability tomorrow. 

What’s the Risk? 
  • Fair Work compliance – If your systems aren’t clear, you could accidentally underpay or misapply conditions. That’s risky, and fines can be severe. 
  • Personal exposure – As a director or officer, you can be held personally responsible for breaches. 
  • Staff relationships – Inconsistencies breed resentment. If one person feels they’re treated differently, morale suffers. 
  • Future flexibility – Once informal rules are entrenched, they’re hard to change when your business needs shift. 

Why a Payroll Review Helps 
A simple payroll and attendance review helps you: 
  • Put clear rules in place that apply to everyone. 
  • Ensure you’re compliant with Fair Work requirements. 
  • Make it easier to adapt and grow without being stuck in old practices. 
  • Protect yourself and your business from unnecessary risk. 

Thinking About the Future 
Even if you’re not planning to sell your business right now, one day you might and when that time comes, a buyer will want to see: 
  • Consistent payroll and attendance records. 
  • Clear policies that show the business runs smoothly. 
  • Evidence that you’re compliant and not carrying hidden liabilities. 

Having those systems in place not only protects you today but also adds value to your business tomorrow. 

Final Word 
Informal rules may have worked when you started, but they won’t get you where you’re going. 
A payroll review is a smart, simple step to bring clarity, protect your business, and set yourself up for growth—or even a successful sale down the track.




Jim Courtwood

Time & Attendance Consultant

jimc@timeandattendance.com.au

1300 553 254

0437 772 977