From install to your first payslip

A short, practical guide to setting up SakaynaTech Payroll and running your first payroll — offline, on your own PC, no accounting background needed.

Before you begin

Have these ready — it makes setup fast.

Windows PC — where payroll will run (works fully offline).

Your license key — emailed after purchase.

Company details — TIN, RDO code, address.

Employee list — names, rates, SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG/TIN.

Quick-Start — 9 steps

Follow in order. The whole setup takes about an hour for a small team.

Install & open the app
Run the installer, then open SakaynaTech Payroll. It starts in Demo Mode so you can look around first.
Activate your license
Click Enter License Key in the bottom banner, paste your key, and Activate. The full version unlocks instantly — no reinstall.
Set up your company
The Setup Wizard asks for your company name, TIN, RDO, and a new admin password. This is your business's master profile.
Create users & assign roles
In User Management, add each staff member with the right role: HR (records & timekeeping), HR Manager (reviews & approves payroll), Accounting (finalizes/posts). Separate roles keep payroll controlled — the person who prepares a run can't approve it.
Add your employees
Go to HR → Employees. Add each one (201 File), or use Import CSV to load your existing list. Set Rate Type (Monthly or Daily), basic pay, and government IDs.
Set holidays & loans
Enter regular/special holidays under Holidays, and record any employee loans or cash advances under HR → Loans / Deductions — these auto-deduct each payroll.
Load attendance
Use Record Attendance (time-in/out auto-computes OT, late & night differential) or Import Timesheet to bring in a CSV export from your biometric device.
Run the payroll
Open Payroll Run, pick your Pay Frequency (Monthly, Semi-Monthly, or Weekly), then Compute. Review each employee's gross, deductions, and net pay.
Approve & release payslips
Submit for review → Approve → Finalize Payroll → Release Payslips. Print payslips, and use Cash Breakdown if you pay in cash.

Statutory is automatic. SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and withholding tax (TRAIN) are computed for you — and prorated correctly for semi-monthly and weekly runs. BIR forms 1601-C, 2316, and the annual Alphalist are ready when you need them.

Pre-Go-Live Checklist

Tick each box before your first real payroll. Print this page and check them off.

Company & compliance

Admin password changed from the default during setup.

Company TIN & RDO entered in Settings.

Tax registration set (VAT / Non-VAT / Tax-Exempt).

User accounts created with the right roles (HR, HR Manager, Accounting).

Employees

All employees added or imported — names, positions, dates hired.

Rate type & pay set — Monthly or Daily, with the correct amount.

Government IDs entered — SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, TIN.

Loans / cash advances recorded with balances and per-payroll amounts.

Time & attendance

Holidays entered for the year.

Biometric export format confirmed — matches the timesheet CSV columns.

First timesheet imported or recorded for the period.

First payroll

Pay frequency chosen — Monthly, Semi-Monthly, or Weekly.

Test run computed & reviewed — net pay looks right for a few employees.

Backup taken — export a snapshot to a USB or drive.