---
title: "Guide: Monthly Contribution Reconciliation (MCR)"
slug: "guide-monthly-contribution-reconciliation-mcr"
updated: 2026-06-10T11:26:23Z
published: 2026-06-10T11:26:23Z
canonical: "help.cintra.co.uk/guide-monthly-contribution-reconciliation-mcr"
---

> ## 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.

# Guide: Monthly Contribution Reconciliation (MCR)

<html><head></head><body><p data-block-id="mpwlxpdf-326lp2-347"><a href="/iq/docs/how-do-i-produce-a-pension-scheme-summary-report" target="_self" translate="no" rel="noopener">How do I produce a pension scheme summary report?</a> Within <strong>Cintra iQ</strong>, you can run a <strong>Monthly Contribution Reconciliation</strong> &nbsp;<strong>(MCR) </strong>report. In order to do, ensure you follow the order of these steps to complete the task as efficiently as possible. </p><h2 data-block-id="mpwlxp9p-5drrlq-281" id="set-up-the-mcr-data">Set up the MCR data.</h2><p data-block-id="mpwlyqwl-epecdh-348">If this is the first month that you are running <strong>MCR</strong>, you must complete the setup steps first. &nbsp;For more information, see <a href="/iq/docs/how-do-i-set-up-mcr" target="_self" translate="no" rel="noopener">How do I set up MCR?</a> </p><h2 data-block-id="mpwlxp9p-azb3dz-282" id="generate-the-mcr-return-data">Generate the MCR return data.</h2><ol data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-cbip8m-283" start="1" style="--start:0;"><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-37p494-284"><p data-block-id="mpwlysqy-tq40jr-349">Go to <strong>Cintra iQ</strong>: Payroll &gt; Payroll Tools &gt; Payroll Reports &gt; Teachers Pension – Monthly Contribution Reconciliation</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-r3yxlp-285"><p data-block-id="mpwn9apv-zlzq7g-069">Select the desired Employer.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-88etym-286"><p data-block-id="mpwn9apv-1vvi2t-070">Select the desired month from the <strong>Return Period End</strong>.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-ythlcx-287"><p data-block-id="mpwn9apv-loyg1y-071">Click the <strong>Generate Return Data </strong>button. Depending on your current set up, the following message(s) may appear.</p></li></ol><blockquote data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-t862lg-288" style="overflow:auto;"><blockquote data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-u32gyb-289" style="overflow:auto;"><ol data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-w6p9zk-290" start="1" style="--start:0;"><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-w160vt-291"><p data-block-id="mpwlzmg0-scq53o-352"><strong>Warning: There are no open payroll periods which cover the return month. Please ensure that there are available payroll periods for the return month you wish to generate data for. You may still generate the return, if required. Generate Return?</strong></p></li></ol><blockquote data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-gi6h8g-292" style="overflow:auto;"><p data-block-id="mpwn9apv-q7psmx-072">Click <strong>Yes</strong> to generate the return. Click <strong>No</strong> and change the month to the correct payroll period, then generate the return.</p></blockquote><ol data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-5jiqru-293" start="1" style="--start:0;"><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-lgz6yf-294"><p data-block-id="mpwn9apw-sa26rf-073"><strong>All Post records as shown in the 'Employee Role Id' Tab must have a Role Id. The return may still be generated, but this data must be corrected and then the return regenerated before the final submission. Do you wish to continue? </strong></p></li></ol><blockquote data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-97s40e-295" style="overflow:auto;"><p data-block-id="mpwn9apw-7idyf5-074">Click &nbsp;<strong>Yes</strong> and navigate to the <strong>Employee Role Id </strong>tab and include the missing <strong>Role Ids</strong>.</p></blockquote><ol data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-hk5ul1-296" start="1" style="--start:0;"><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-kn86xd-297"><p data-block-id="mpwn9apw-vwdugv-075"><strong>No return data was created. Please check that you have selected the required Employer and Reporting Month. You should also verify that Role Ids have been assigned to the Employee's Teaching Posts. (This message appears only when you generate the first month of the MCR data.)</strong></p></li></ol><ol data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-onp2nu-298" start="2" style="--start:1;"><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9q-2k1qcu-299"><p data-block-id="mpwn9apx-h44j00-076"><strong>Cintra iQ was unable to determine a role rule for the following Employee(s).<br type="inline">[employee id]<br type="inline">Please check the validation message shown on the Employee's row in the Employee Role Id tab. Note: Refer to the </strong><a href="https://help.cintra.co.uk/portal/en/kb/articles/troubleshooting-mcr-errors-within-cintra-iq" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Troubleshooting: MCR Errors within Cintra iQ</strong></a><strong> for further trouble shooting tips.</strong></p></li></ol></blockquote><p data-block-id="mpwlz7fc-yqacat-350">For more information about generating <strong>MCR</strong> data, see <a href="/iq/docs/mcr-how-do-i-generate-return-data" target="_self" translate="no" rel="noopener">MCR: How do I generate return data?</a><strong><br type="inline"></strong></p></blockquote><h2 data-block-id="mpwlxp9r-0quzrb-300" id="generate-role-ids">Generate Role IDs.</h2><p data-block-id="mpwn9apy-a1hinn-077"><strong>Role ID</strong> is the marker for the post that is attached to the <strong>TPA </strong>record. &nbsp;For more information about <strong>Role Ids</strong>, see <a href="/iq/docs/mcr-what-are-unique-role-identifiers" target="_self" rel="noopener">What are Unique Role Identifiers?</a></p><ol data-block-id="mpwlxp9r-hz7hck-301" start="1" style="--start:0;"><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9r-ovd1j8-302"><p data-block-id="mpwn9apy-r3av40-078">Navigate to the <strong>Employee Role Id</strong> tab.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9r-tj73dp-303"><p data-block-id="mpwm12cc-7tglxo-356">Click the <strong>Generate Role IDs </strong>button. A message appears stating:</p></li></ol><blockquote data-block-id="mpwlxp9r-bn0q4r-304" style="overflow:auto;"><p data-block-id="mpwm12jo-j8dzpn-357">"[number of role ids] have been generated and successfully saved to the database. Scroll right to the 'Record Status' column to see records which were updated."</p></blockquote><blockquote data-block-id="mpwlxp9r-cih99c-305" class="warningBox" data-background="#fdf2ce" data-border="#7f6416" style="background:rgb(253, 242, 206);border-left:4px solid rgb(127, 100, 22);overflow:auto;"><p data-block-id="mpwlxp9r-anptqi-306"><strong>Important: </strong>You can not amend the Role Id once it’s been submitted to TPA. &nbsp;If a change is required, you must notify TPA by email. For more information, refer to the <a href="/iq/docs/how-do-i-correct-mcr-errors" target="_self" rel="noopener">Troubleshooting: MCR Errors within Cintra iQ</a> as to how to make this change on your MCR file.</p></blockquote><blockquote data-block-id="mpwlxp9r-nsnuy4-307" class="warningBox" data-background="#fdf2ce" data-border="#7f6416" style="background:rgb(253, 242, 206);border-left:4px solid rgb(127, 100, 22);overflow:auto;"><p data-block-id="mpwlxp9r-uave1p-308"><strong>Important: </strong>If an employee has two posts (or changes the post in the future) you can expect to see two scenarios:</p><p data-block-id="mpwm1va2-hmf4ut-358"><strong>Scenario 1:</strong></p><ol data-block-id="mpwlxp9r-7olti2-309" start="1" style="--start:0;"><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9r-r2kih9-310"><p data-block-id="mpwn9apz-j3a3ax-079">C1/R1</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9s-277vzl-311"><p data-block-id="mpwn9apz-b0m3f9-080">C2/R1</p></li></ol><p data-block-id="mpwlxp9s-mspec0-312"><strong>Two contracts, one role:</strong> This means the employee has two posts, each pointing to an <strong>Expenses and Benefits contribution. </strong></p><p data-block-id="mpwlxp9s-7e7yx4-313"><strong>Scenario 2:</strong></p><ol data-block-id="mpwlxp9s-gqkglc-314" start="1" style="--start:0;"><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9s-f0vkrr-315"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq0-4mw0wk-081">C1/R1</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9s-yf6gce-316"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq0-4tvefw-082">C1/R2</p></li></ol><p data-block-id="mpwlxp9s-4yp130-317"><strong>One contract, two roles:</strong> This means that the employee has two posts, but these are attached to one contribution line in the employee's <strong>Expenses and Benefits form.</strong> That line is open, and not attached to a specific post.</p></blockquote><p data-block-id="mpwm2d33-lsvv2c-371">For more information, see <a href="/iq/docs/how-do-i-view-employee-posts-for-pension-benefit-contributions" target="_self" translate="no" rel="noopener">How do I view employee posts for pension &amp; benefit contributions?</a> </p><h2 data-block-id="mpwlxp9s-rpn0ik-318" id="review-any-data-issues">Review any data issues. </h2><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq0-cj9rfh-083">Navigate to the <strong>Data Issues</strong> tab.</p><ol data-block-id="mpwlxp9s-8tdrt6-319" start="1" style="--start:0;"><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9s-9jrhg4-320"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq1-xrqdif-084">Since the <strong>TPA</strong> and <strong>TPA Care</strong> schemes have differing pensionable pay, &nbsp;a number of warnings are outputted to show the differences. &nbsp;These are expected and you do not need to act on them.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9s-4qirgc-321"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq1-bvukju-085">Any employees appearing here are suggesting you need to act, normally on the employee's <strong>Post</strong> set up or on their <strong>Expenses &amp; Benefits</strong> form.</p></li></ol><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq1-t1huuz-086">For more information about Data Issues, refer to the <a href="/iq/docs/how-do-i-correct-mcr-errors" target="_self" translate="no" rel="noopener">Troubleshooting: MCR Errors within Cintra iQ</a>. </p><h2 data-block-id="mpwlxp9s-saobcj-322" id="verify-the-data">Verify the data.</h2><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq1-m0uupf-087">Before producing the <strong>MCR</strong> file, balance the data in the <strong>MCR Summary</strong> tab against &nbsp;<a href="https://help.cintra.co.uk/portal/en/kb/articles/how-do-i-create-a-pension-scheme-summary-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>All Pension Schemes Summary</strong> </a>data. &nbsp;If the data does not balance, refer to the <strong>Data Issues</strong> tab to resolve any issues. &nbsp;If you still have problems, please contact &nbsp;<a href="mailto:Support@cintra.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">support@cintra.co.uk</a>. </p><h2 data-block-id="mpwlxp9t-a5qkvs-323" id="create-the-mcr-file">Create the MCR file.</h2><ol data-block-id="mpwlxp9t-oiafbx-324" start="1" style="--start:0;"><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9t-ixhsu1-325"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq2-t8tbbs-088">Click the<strong> Generate MCR File</strong> button.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9u-9bzwmb-326"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq2-dporh5-089">Click the <strong>Save</strong> button.</p></li></ol><h2 data-block-id="mpwlxp9u-uzuscp-327" id="validate-the-mcr-file">Validate the MCR file</h2><ol data-block-id="mpwlxp9u-f7lpgh-328" start="1" style="--start:0;"><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9u-8jq75b-329"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq2-cu6h65-090">Download template from your <strong>TPA</strong> portal.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9u-dj0ee1-330"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq3-lmpgzf-091">Click the <strong>Reset Input Sheet</strong>. The data is cleared. You are prompted to import the <strong>MCR</strong> file. </p><blockquote data-block-id="mpwm5gh8-bpv36s-373" class="infoBox" data-background="#ddf7ff" data-border="#006a8a" style="background:rgb(221, 247, 255);border-left:4px solid rgb(0, 106, 138);overflow:auto;"><p data-block-id="mpwm5foz-u3pg42-372"><strong>Note: </strong>This is the file you outputted at step 6.</p></blockquote></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9u-2j9xdt-331"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq3-8b0xag-092">Import <strong>Cintra iQ's MCR</strong> file. The template is populated with the data.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9u-nurmnz-332"><p data-block-id="mpwm5q6g-z112io-374">Click the <strong>Check Data and Continue to Section B</strong> button. &nbsp;A message appears stating: <strong>There are [number] warning errors within the data entered. Note: Warning errors are coloured in orange. Do you wish to view these warnings errors &nbsp;before continuing to Section B?</strong></p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9u-o369lg-333"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq3-6irjg5-093">Click the <strong>Yes </strong>button.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9u-fdab9y-334"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq4-6g3k48-094">Click the <strong>Find Error </strong>button.</p><ol data-block-id="mpwlxp9u-v5ajlr-335" start="1" data-list-format="decimal" style="--start:0;"><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9u-9ppc93-336"><p data-block-id="mpwm5u89-ca5fr8-375"><strong>If no errors occur: </strong>continue to the next step.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9u-9ht2g1-337"><p data-block-id="mpwm5v1w-qgg550-376"><strong>If errors occur: </strong>they are highlighted in red.<strong> </strong>Until these errors are address, you can't produce the file. Return to the <strong>MCR</strong> functionality within <strong>Cintra iQ, </strong> update data where required and then regenerate the MCR file. See Step <strong>6</strong> above.</p></li></ol></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9u-ag5yop-338"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq5-g43bn7-095">Click the <strong>Find Warning</strong> button. This section highlights any data issues. Ensure the issues are resolved in the next month's submission. e.g. if the employer is on the incorrect percentage, or any overtime values are set up incorrectly. <strong>Note:</strong> Review the data issues carefully.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9u-if8dyr-339"><p data-block-id="mpwm612f-tb65ld-377">Click the <strong>Check Data and Continue to Section B</strong> button. A message appears stating: <strong>There are [number] warning errors within the data entered. Note: Warning errors are coloured in orange. Do you wish to view these warnings errors before continuing to Section B?</strong></p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9u-ro7kwc-340"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq6-5ptovz-096">Click the No button. The <strong>Section B: Total Contributions Summary</strong> appears.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9v-ht5wv1-341"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq6-lossau-097">Ensure that the total contribution matches the figure in the <a href="/iq/docs/how-do-i-produce-a-pension-scheme-summary-report" target="_self" rel="noopener"><strong>All Pension Schemes Summary</strong></a> data within <strong>Cintra iQ</strong>.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9v-epi51v-342"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq7-lod3hh-098">If all cells in the<strong> Section B: Total Contributions Summary</strong> page are green, check the <strong>Submission Declaration</strong> check box.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9v-x5990g-343"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq7-ibg418-099">Click the <strong>Click here to check and save the output file</strong> button. A validation message appears to confirm that the <strong>MCR</strong> value is correct.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9v-xybu79-344"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq7-zc4p3i-100">Click the <strong>OK</strong> button. A confirmation message appears stating that<strong> </strong>there are [number] warning errors within the data entered. Do you wish to continue.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9v-usitks-345"><p data-block-id="mpwm69fj-3r01um-378">Click the <strong>Yes</strong> button. The <strong>Windows</strong> directory is opened, prompting you to save the validated <strong>MCR</strong> file.</p></li><li data-block-id="mpwlxp9v-y4pium-346"><p data-block-id="mpwn9aq8-qhr2vf-101">Upload the <strong>MCR </strong>file to the <strong>TPA</strong> portal. </p><blockquote data-block-id="mpwm6bvt-liomo7-380" class="infoBox" data-background="#ddf7ff" data-border="#006a8a" style="background:rgb(221, 247, 255);border-left:4px solid rgb(0, 106, 138);overflow:auto;"><p data-block-id="mpwm6b7n-f86bl8-379"><strong>Note: </strong>For more information about the <strong>TPA Portal</strong>, contact the <strong>TPA</strong> website.</p></blockquote></li></ol><p></p></body></html>
