When to Use This
You're setting up Sequifi for the first time and need to configure pay schedules
Your company is changing how often you pay your team
You need to understand how payroll frequencies work
You want to set up different pay schedules for different types of workers
Who Can Configure Payroll Frequencies
Configuring payroll frequencies requires admin-level access. This is typically set up during initial configuration and rarely needs to change once established.
Understanding Payroll Frequencies
Payroll frequency determines:
When pay periods start and end Each frequency has defined pay periods (e.g., Monday through Sunday for weekly).
When payroll is processed After a pay period ends, payroll is reviewed and processed.
When reps receive payment Payments are deposited based on the processing schedule.
How earnings accumulate Commissions and overrides build up within each pay period.
Common Payroll Frequencies
Weekly
Pay period: 7 days (typically Monday through Sunday) Frequency: 52 pay periods per year Best for: Companies that want to pay reps quickly after sales
Advantages:
Reps receive money quickly
Shorter wait between earning and receiving pay
Easier to track week-by-week performance
Considerations:
More frequent payroll processing
Higher administrative workload
More pay stubs to manage
Biweekly
Pay period: 14 days (two weeks) Frequency: 26 pay periods per year Best for: Companies balancing frequency with administrative efficiency
Advantages:
Regular, predictable schedule
Less frequent processing than weekly
Common standard that reps understand
Considerations:
Two weeks between payments
Pay periods may not align with month boundaries
Semi-Monthly
Pay period: Twice per month (typically 1st-15th and 16th-end of month) Frequency: 24 pay periods per year Best for: Companies that prefer month-aligned pay periods
Advantages:
Aligns with monthly reporting
Consistent two payments per month
Easier budget planning
Considerations:
Pay periods vary in length (13-16 days)
More complex to track than weekly or biweekly
Monthly
Pay period: Full calendar month Frequency: 12 pay periods per year Best for: Companies with longer sales cycles or management-level positions
Advantages:
Simplest administrative process
Aligns perfectly with monthly reporting
Fewest payroll runs to manage
Considerations:
Long wait between payments
May not suit all workers' financial needs
Larger individual payments
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Accessing Payroll Frequency Settings
Make sure you're in admin view. Click "Switch to Admin" in the upper right corner if needed.
Click on "Settings" in the left-hand menu.
Look at the setup tabs along the top of the page.
Find and click on "Payroll" or "Payroll Frequencies." The exact location may vary based on your configuration.
Viewing Current Payroll Frequencies
Review the list of configured frequencies. You'll see options like:
Weekly
Biweekly
Monthly
Note which frequencies are active. Some may be enabled while others are disabled.
See how each is configured:
Pay period start day
Processing schedule
Any special settings
Configuring a Payroll Frequency
Select the frequency you want to configure. Click on it to access settings.
Set the pay period start day. For weekly and biweekly, choose which day the pay period begins (e.g., Monday, Sunday).
Configure processing timing. Determine when payroll is processed after the pay period ends:
Same day
Next business day
Specific number of days later
Set any additional options:
Payment method settings
Approval requirements
Notification preferences
Click "Save."
Enabling or Disabling Frequencies
If you only use certain pay frequencies:
Find the frequency you want to enable or disable.
Look for an enable/disable toggle or option.
Toggle the setting.
Enable frequencies you use
Disable frequencies you don't need
Save your changes.
Disabling unused frequencies simplifies payroll processing and reduces confusion.
Assigning Workers to Payroll Frequencies
Workers are assigned to payroll frequencies based on their setup:
During hiring: The payroll frequency may be determined by:
Department (Sales vs. Management)
Position
Manual selection during onboarding
For existing workers: Changing someone's payroll frequency typically requires:
Admin-level changes
Coordination to avoid missed or duplicate payments
How Payroll Frequencies Work with Commissions
Commission Timing
Commissions accumulate based on when milestones are hit:
A sale is made and entered into Sequifi.
Milestone dates trigger commission calculations. (M1, M2, installation complete, etc.)
Commissions are assigned to the pay period containing the milestone date.
When that pay period closes, commissions appear in pending pay.
Payroll is processed and payment is sent.
Example Timeline (Weekly Payroll)
Monday: Sale is made
Wednesday: Account is installed (M1 milestone)
Sunday: Pay period ends
Monday: Payroll is reviewed
Tuesday: Payroll is finalized
Wednesday: Direct deposit arrives
Multiple Payroll Frequencies
Some companies use different frequencies for different workers:
Weekly for sales reps:
Faster access to commission earnings
Motivates continued performance
Aligns with fast-paced sales cycles
Biweekly or monthly for management:
Override earnings may take longer to calculate
Management roles may prefer less frequent, larger payments
Aligns with corporate pay schedules
If using multiple frequencies, ensure:
Workers are assigned to the correct frequency
Payroll processing covers all frequencies
Reporting accounts for different schedules
Tips and Common Mistakes
Choose frequency based on your business. Consider your sales cycle, worker preferences, and administrative capacity.
Be consistent. Once established, avoid changing frequencies frequently. It creates confusion and potential payment issues.
Communicate clearly. Make sure all workers know their pay frequency and when to expect payments.
Plan for transitions. If changing frequencies, plan carefully to avoid gaps or overlaps in pay periods.
Consider cash flow. More frequent payroll means more frequent cash outflow. Ensure your business can support it.
Align with milestone timing. Your payroll frequency should make sense given when commissions are typically earned.
Test thoroughly. Before going live, test payroll calculations for each frequency you'll use.
Document your schedule. Keep a clear record of pay period dates and processing schedules.
Common Questions
Can I change payroll frequency after setup? Yes, but it requires careful planning. You'll need to close out the current frequency properly and transition workers to the new schedule without missing payments.
Can different workers have different frequencies? Yes, you can configure multiple frequencies and assign workers accordingly. This is common for companies with both sales reps and corporate employees.
When do commissions appear in pending pay? Commissions appear in pending pay after the milestone date that triggers them. They're included in the pay period containing that milestone date.
What if a milestone happens right before a pay period ends? It's included in that pay period as long as it's before the cutoff. Milestones after the cutoff go to the next period.
How do I know which pay period I'm in? The payroll section shows current and upcoming pay periods. You can also see this information in pending pay.
What happens to pending commissions if I miss a payroll run? They remain pending until the next payroll is processed. Make sure to run payroll consistently to avoid delays.
Payroll Frequency Comparison
Frequency | Pay Periods/Year | Wait Time | Admin Load | Best For |
Weekly | 52 | 1 week | High | Fast-paced sales |
Biweekly | 26 | 2 weeks | Medium | Balance of speed and efficiency |
Semi-Monthly | 24 | ~2 weeks | Medium | Month-aligned reporting |
Monthly | 12 | 1 month | Low | Long sales cycles, management |
What to Do Next
Now that you understand payroll frequencies, explore these related topics:
Reviewing Payroll – Process payroll for each pay period
Payroll Reports – Analyze payroll history
Checking Pending Pay – See upcoming payments
Custom Fields & Templates – Customize payroll settings
If you have questions about configuring payroll frequencies or need help setting up your pay schedule, reach out to our support team and we'll be happy to assist!