Construction Time Tracking Software That Syncs with Payroll and Job Costing

Time tracking in construction is broken. Does this sound familiar? Workers in a remote job site write down their in and out times on a paper time card, which has to make its way back to the office. Payroll teams then have to manually move the time tracking data to a software program, then move it again to process payroll and calculate job costs. The entire process is time-consuming, inefficient, and has numerous opportunities for errors or inconsistencies. It impacts employee payroll as well as larger financial projections for the company. 

Construction labor tracking is uniquely complex, with varying wages, job codes, and regulations, plus the challenge of work done on various job sites. Delayed or inaccurate timecard data can cause a ripple effect of negative consequences. Even a short delay or inverted number can lead to payroll challenges, errors, and compliance issues. 

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Construction time tracking software offers a better, real-time solution that syncs with payroll and job costing. Let’s explore the ins and outs of construction timesheet software and how it can transform the payroll process. 

Why Accurate Time Tracking is Mission-Critical 

Time tracking and payroll are the foundation of financial success for contractors. Construction payroll is complex and includes many variables and data points. A smooth payroll process starts with accurate time tracking. Without reliable time tracking that contractors can feel confident in, payroll can crumble and face challenges. 

For example, inaccurate time tracking or a bad system can have consequences like cost overruns, risk for an audit, and a loss of workforce trust — all of which impact a company’s reputation, finances, and future growth opportunities. 

Traditional timekeeping has many common pitfalls, including relying on paper forms and time cards (and the time required for manual data entry), Excel spreadsheets with manual formulas, and non-integrated tools that can lead to data confusion. Without overcoming these pitfalls, construction companies don't have the strong foundation of accurate time tracking, which can affect the rest of the company. 

Common Field & Office Challenges 

Payroll and construction finance are notoriously challenging and full of roadblocks and frustrations. But these issues are more than just frustrating — they also impact a company’s finances and growth opportunities.

Here are four common challenges field and office employees face:

• Inconsistent timecard submission. Employees can submit timecards in various ways, meaning payroll teams have to watch for time data coming from paper timecards and mobile systems. That inconsistency opens the door for errors and misplaced data.
  
  Cost code errors. Job and cost codes help teams know where the budget is going. However, they can also be complex, with multiple cost codes for a single project. Inaccurate or missing cost codes impact future budgets and project proposals. 
  
  
• Manual re-entry. Software that isn't integrated means payroll teams often have to move data between platforms on their own. Manually moving data from a timecard to a payroll system or between non-integrated systems can delay payroll and multiply the risk of errors. 
  
  
• Lack of mobile access. Construction projects often take place in remote job sites. But without mobile access to a time tracking system and other platforms, the back office doesn’t have real-time labor data. That delay makes it challenging to adjust or stay accurate. 
  
  

hh2 Syncs Time Tracking and Payroll Data 

Time tracking is challenging, but construction labor tracking software makes it easier to sync with payroll and job costing. Integrating these platforms creates a seamless, customized workflow for faster and more accurate results. 

Here are the key features and benefits of hh2 time tracking software that solve common challenges:

• Mobile, kiosk, or crew-entry options from the jobsite. hh2’s field-ready, remote design gives workers options for clocking in and out. Whether they use the mobile or kiosk time tracking options, hh2 works offline to gather time tracking data and sync with other software. 

• Time approval workflows. hh2 allows for customized processes that flow straight into payroll. Contractors can assign role-based access for supervisors, project managers, and payroll teams so approvals move forward without roadblocks. 

• Built-in cost code assignments and labor validation. Instead of manually tracking job codes, hh2 offers job-level labor tracking for precise cost control. That includes union and prevailing wage compliance support without the headache or risk of manual error. 
  
  
• Real-time sync. hh2 syncs seamlessly with leading platforms, including Sage 100 and 300, Vista, Foundation, Spectrum, and many other ERP integrations. Connecting platforms with real-time data ensures data is accurate across all platforms without having to manually move data. 
  
  

The Impact of Time Tracking Software 

Thousands of construction companies and contractors have trusted hh2 to transform their finance workflows. 

Here’s a look at what time tracking looks like before and after automation:

Before:

• Field employees manually fill out paper time cards, which supervisors must collect and approve. Misplaced cards and approval delays are common as supervisors juggle managing time cards with their many other responsibilities.
  
  
• With time cards in hand, payroll employees have to manually move data to the payroll system, often manually calculating overtime, union payroll, and prevailing wage.
  
  
• When creating future budgets, employees must search for the payroll totals for previous projects and manually calculate future budgets and job costing.
  
  
• The entire process is slow and has numerous opportunities for misplaced paperwork, data entry errors, or miscalculations.

After:

• Field workers use hh2 construction timekeeping software to clock in and out digitally, no matter how remote the job site is. Supervisors can easily approve time cards digitally and automatically route them where they need to go.
  
  
• Time tracking data is automatically synced with the payroll system, accounting for overtime, union payroll, and prevailing wage. Payroll staff can easily process payroll without performing manual calculations.
  
  
• Payroll costs automatically flow into job costing tools, making it easy to track real-time budgets and plan for future projects. The company has gone from lost timecards to live data they can count on.
  
  
• The seamless process means faster, more accurate payroll and real-time insights into budget and resources. With an accurate view of its costs and resources, the company can create accurate proposals for future projects. 
  
  

hh2: The Future of Construction Time Tracking

A smooth payroll process starts with accurate time tracking. That means what happens in the field impacts every aspect of a company’s finances. With seamless integration, automation transforms crew management. Streamline time tracking and create a smooth payroll process with hh2 as your field-to-finance connector for labor tracking. Click here to learn more about hh2 and schedule a demo.