Choose accountant support when the next reviewer needs a close, tax, or reporting packet. Choose payroll admin when the next reviewer needs a pay-period input and exception record. Both roles prepare evidence and raise questions. The authorized owner makes the calls.
Choose a small batch a reviewer can inspect before assigning a broad finance title.
Start with close checklists, source-file requests, reconciliation support, draft schedules, variance notes, and reporting packets. The output is a review-ready packet, not an accounting conclusion or approved close.
Start with approved time and change references, cutoff lists, missing-input lists, upload previews, and held exceptions. The output is a factual review record, not a pay decision or payroll submission.
Keep preparation work traceable from source record to named reviewer.
The table scrolls sideways on small screens.
| Factor | Accountant support | Payroll admin | Owner check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Next review packet | A close checklist, source-file request list, reconciliation-support file, draft schedule, variance note, or reporting packet. | A pay-period cutoff list, approved-timesheet packet, change-reference list, missing-input list, or held-exception record. | Does the reviewer need accounting evidence or a pay-period input trail? |
| Useful preparation | Organizes approved source documents, open questions, draft formatting, and differences for accounting review. | Organizes approved time and change references, calendar reminders, upload previews, and factual exception routing. | Can the named reviewer inspect the source and held items without rebuilding the packet? |
| Where the work meets | Can organize approved payroll reports and related source evidence for a later close review. | Can prepare the payroll-input packet that a payroll owner reviews before a run. | Keep the two packets distinct: a payroll owner decides whether inputs or the run proceed; a finance owner decides accounting treatment and close. |
| Exceptions | Flags source gaps, unclear transactions, reconciliation differences, report inconsistencies, and unanswered reviewer requests. | Flags missing approvals, conflicting time records, unclear changes, cutoff issues, and exception references. | Document and route the exception. Do not solve it by changing a record or releasing payroll. |
| Not this role | Tax advice or filings, journal entries, final reconciliations, close approval, financial statements, payments, bank changes, or payroll submission. | Pay-run approval or submission; edits to hours, overtime, leave, rates, deductions, classifications, direct deposit, taxes, benefits, or employee status. | Hold any task that changes pay, money, an employee record, a bank or tax record, accounting treatment, or a final decision. |
Use accountant support when the reviewer needs source links, a missing-item list, draft schedules, or variance notes in one packet. The finance owner decides accounting treatment, entries, reconciliations, and close approval.
Use payroll admin when the immediate work is a factual list of approved timesheets, change references, missing approvals, held questions, and cutoff status. The payroll owner decides changes and whether the run proceeds.
Split the work. Payroll admin prepares the pay-period exception record; accountant support organizes approved payroll reports for the close reviewer. The two reviewers keep their own decision points.
Stop and route anything that could change employee pay or status, submit or release payroll, move money, alter a bank or tax record, change accounting treatment, post an entry, approve a reconciliation, finalize close, or bypass a control.
"Prepare one named accounting-review or pay-period batch from approved sources. Record what is present, missing, duplicated, conflicting, or unclear. Do not decide, edit, approve, post, submit, release, pay, file, change, or finalize. Route each held item with its source and next review step."
The first samples should make it easy to inspect the source trail, exceptions, and review process.
Sort bookkeeping, invoice support, payroll administration, and accountant review before you write a role brief.
Review finance supportException evidenceKeep the source reference, held action, named owner, and recheck together before a payroll decision.
Open the review logRole planningModel hours, tool seats, setup time, review time, and a buffer before you compare quotes.
Open the cost calculatorQuote preparationGive providers the same first batch, access limits, held actions, and sample-review plan before comparing offers.
Build a provider briefNo. Accountant support prepares accounting-review materials such as close checklists, source folders, draft schedules, and variance notes. Payroll admin prepares pay-period input and exception records. Both roles prepare work for review.
No. Payroll admin can organize approved source references and hold exceptions. The payroll owner or qualified internal lead decides pay, time, leave, rates, deductions, direct deposit, taxes, employee status, and submission.
No. The role can prepare source files and reconciliation support. Accounting treatment, entries, final reconciliations, reporting conclusions, and close approval remain with the authorized finance owner.
Prepare two linked packets. Payroll admin can organize the pay-period evidence and held exceptions; accountant support can organize approved payroll reports for accounting review. Each owner keeps their own decision point.
Payroll admin can record the source, missing approval, current state, and next reviewer. The named payroll owner decides whether to change a record or proceed with the pay run.
No. Those actions move money, change a sensitive record, or create a financial or tax outcome. The assistant documents and routes the request; the authorized owner decides through the business's controlled process.
These sources help frame record work and account access. They do not define the job titles, authorize financial actions, or prove a staffing outcome.
Use OutsourcedU to write the role, SOPs, onboarding steps, and weekly review before you hire more people.