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Creating a Pay Run

Step-by-step guide for opening the pay-run dialog, setting the period, and creating a new payroll run in Beam Machine.

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Creating a Pay Run

This page shows you how to create a new pay run by choosing the pay frequency and payroll period.

Product: Beam Machine
Module: Payroll / Pay Runs
Role: Payroll Administrator, Accountant, Finance Lead
Difficulty: Intermediate
Time: 5 minutes if employee data is already clean
Last Updated: 2026-03-10
Version: Current Beam Machine app build in this repo

Before You Start

  • You need access to Payroll -> Pay Runs.
  • Employee master data should already be reviewed.
  • You should know the correct pay frequency and pay period dates.

What is a pay run?

A pay run is the payroll cycle for a specific pay period. It tells the system which time window and frequency you are paying.

In Beam Machine, you create a pay run from the pay-runs area using a dialog that asks for frequency, period start, and period end.

When do you use this?

Use this when you are ready to start a new payroll cycle for the month, week, or bi-weekly period.

If you create the wrong period or frequency, you confuse payroll timing, exception review, and downstream employee outputs.

Where to find it

Primary path: Payroll -> Pay Runs -> Create Pay Run

Alternative: From the payroll home page, use the main payroll actions to get into the pay-runs screen first.

How to create a pay run

  1. Open Payroll -> Pay Runs.
  2. Click Create Pay Run or Run Payroll, depending on the button label shown in your page view.
  3. In the dialog, select the Pay Frequency:
    • Monthly
    • Bi-Weekly
    • Weekly

āœ… Checkpoint: The dialog should now show Pay Frequency, Period Start, and Period End.

  1. Enter Period Start.
  2. Enter Period End.
  3. Review the dates carefully before you continue.
  4. Click Create Pay Run.

āœ… Checkpoint: The dialog should close and the pay-runs page should refresh.

  1. Review the pay-runs list and confirm the new period appears.
  2. Continue with payroll review, anomalies, leave, or approval steps required by your process.

Common Questions & Issues

"The Create button is disabled"

Why this happens: The dialog requires both Period Start and Period End.

Fix: Enter both dates. The button should enable once those fields are filled in.

"I got a failed to create pay run message"

Why this happens: The server action rejected the request.

Fix: Re-check the pay frequency and dates, then try again. If the problem continues, escalate with the exact dates you used.

"I created the pay run but I cannot see it yet"

Why this happens: The page refresh may not be obvious immediately.

Fix: Refresh the page once and review the pay-runs list again.

What's Next

Related Pages

SA Compliance Reference

  • Payroll periods affect downstream PAYE and other statutory payroll outputs. Follow your firm payroll calendar and approval controls.

Still Stuck?

  • Search the Beam Machine help set
  • Check the payroll route in ../98-screen-map.md
  • Contact support: support@veva.co.za

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