How To Run ADP Payroll

ADP is one of the biggest names in payroll software, offering payroll processing, tax support, employee self-service, reporting, HR tools, and add-on services for small businesses.

Once your account is set up, ADP can help streamline payroll by calculating wages, taxes, and deductions. However, employers still need to review employee information, hours, pay dates, deductions, and payroll totals before approving each run.

This guide walks through the general steps for running payroll in ADP RUN.

How To Run ADP Payroll

Running ADP payroll is generally straightforward once your company, employee, tax, bank, and pay schedule information are set up. The exact steps may vary depending on your ADP package, payroll settings, time tracking setup, and whether you’re running regular payroll, off-cycle payroll, or contractor payments.

In general, running payroll in ADP means starting the correct payroll cycle, reviewing employee information, entering or importing hours, resolving timecard issues, previewing payroll, and approving the run before the payroll deadline.

Step 1: Set Up Your ADP Account

Because ADP RUN uses quote-based pricing, you’ll typically need to speak with ADP or request a quote before choosing a package. ADP can help match your business with the right payroll package, HR features, integrations, and add-ons.

During setup, you’ll enter company, employee, tax, bank account, pay schedule, and deduction information. ADP may also help with implementation depending on your package and service setup.

Step 2: Start The Correct Payroll Cycle

Sign in to ADP RUN and start the payroll cycle for the pay period you want to process. Before moving forward, confirm the pay period, pay date, payroll deadline, company code or payroll group if applicable, and scheduled deductions.

ADP’s RUN support guide lists payroll approval deadlines, so make sure you know when payroll must be approved for employees to be paid on time.

Step 3: Review Employee Information

Before running payroll, review employee information for accuracy. Check employee status, pay rates, direct deposit details, tax forms, benefits deductions, and any recent changes.

If you added new employees, make sure their personal information, tax forms, pay rates, direct deposit details, and employment status are complete before payroll is approved. ADP may also support employee onboarding and new hire reporting, but employers should confirm those features are enabled and accurate for their state.

Step 4: Enter Or Import Hours, Contractor Payments, & One-Time Earnings

For hourly employees, enter or import hours worked, overtime, paid time off, sick time, and other pay details. If you pay contractors through ADP, add contractor payment information for the pay period and confirm tax details before submitting.

You can also enter one-time deductions or adjustments, such as reimbursements, garnishments, benefits deductions, bonuses, commissions, or other approved payroll items.

Step 5: Resolve Time Card Issues

Review any timecard warnings, missing hours, or payroll exceptions before approving payroll. ADP offers time and attendance tools, and businesses may also connect supported time tracking systems depending on their setup.

Fixing timecard issues before payroll is approved can help prevent underpayments, overpayments, and payroll corrections later.

Step 6: Preview Payroll

Preview payroll before approving the run. Review wages, taxes, deductions, employer costs, payment methods, and pay dates.

ADP calculates taxes and deductions based on your setup, but you should still review totals for accuracy. If something looks wrong, go back and correct the payroll details before approving the run.

Step 7: Approve Payroll & Review Reports

Approve payroll only after you’ve confirmed the totals and deadlines. After payroll is approved, review the confirmation details and save payroll reports for your records.

ADP can process direct deposits, tax payments, and filings based on your package and payroll setup, but employers should still keep payroll records and monitor deadlines. If ADP is connected to your accounting software, review exported payroll data to make sure wages, taxes, and deductions are recorded correctly.

Final Tips On How To Use ADP Payroll

Once you’re comfortable with ADP, these habits can help reduce payroll errors and keep each pay run on schedule.

Don’t Procrastinate

Start payroll early so you have time to add new employees, review hours, fix timecard issues, and make one-time adjustments before the approval deadline.

Automate As Much As Possible

Use automation where it makes sense, including direct deposit, recurring deductions, time tracking integrations, and employee self-service. Automation can reduce manual entry, but you should still review payroll before approval.

Stay Up To Date On Law & Tax Changes

ADP can help manage payroll tax calculations and filings, but employers should still monitor payroll tax, wage, benefit, and labor law changes that may affect their business.