---
title: "Getting started with Cintra iQ"
slug: "getting-started-with-cintra-iq"
description: "Cintra iQ simplifies payroll management, from processing payments to managing pensions and absence. Explore our help centre for guidance and support."
updated: 2026-06-10T09:42:26Z
published: 2026-06-10T11:18:42Z
canonical: "help.cintra.co.uk/getting-started-with-cintra-iq"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cintra.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting started with Cintra iQ

Cintra iQ is Cintra's payroll platform. Use it to set up employers and employees, process the payroll, pay your people and HMRC, and manage pensions, absence, and reporting. This help centre has guidance for everyone who works in Cintra iQ, whether you run the payroll, administer the system, or use Self-Service.

---

#### Not sure where to start?

Try one of our most popular articles:

1. [How do I perform a payroll calculation?](/iq/docs/how-do-i-perform-a-payroll-calculation)
2. [How do I create/re-run payment runs?](/iq/docs/how-do-i-create-re-run-payment-runs)
3. [How do I reconcile the payroll?](/iq/docs/how-do-i-reconcile-the-payroll)
4. [How do I submit an EPS/FPS to HMRC?](/iq/docs/how-do-i-submit-an-eps-fps-to-hmrc)
5. [Viewing statutory rates](/iq/docs/viewing-statutory-rates)

Or use the **Search bar** at the top of the screen to find something specific.

---

### Browse by area

Use the table of contents on the left to explore all help content. Key areas include:

- **Employer setup**: configure employer details, PAYE schemes, jobs and posts, and pay structures
- **Employee records**: add new starters, process leavers, and maintain employee details
- **Payroll processing**: enter pay and deductions, run the calculation, and check the results
- **Paying employees**: payment runs, BACS files, third party payments, and payslips
- **HMRC**: RTI submissions, paying HMRC, and year end
- **Pensions and automatic enrolment**: set up schemes, run auto enrolment, and manage providers
- **Absence and time management**: working patterns, entitlements, and calendar events
- **Reporting**: payroll reports, report packs, and absence analysis
- **Self-Service**: the employee and manager portal for leave, timesheets, and payslips

---

### New to Cintra iQ?

If you are setting up Cintra iQ for the first time, the implementation form is the place to start. It collects the key information needed to configure your payroll, and the Employer setup category then walks you through building it out in the right order.

If your system is already set up and you are using Cintra iQ for the first time, these articles will help you get up and running:

- [What is Cintra iQ?](/iq/docs/what-is-cintra-iq)
- [Tour of the Cintra iQ layout](/iq/docs/tour-of-the-cintra-iq-layout)
- [Managing and organising records in Cintra iQ](/iq/docs/managing-and-organising-records-in-cintra-iq)

---

### Need more help?

If you cannot find what you are looking for in this help, [contact our support team](https://cintra.freshdesk.com/support/tickets/new).