---
title: "MCR: How do I correct errors?"
slug: "how-do-i-correct-mcr-errors"
description: "Explore common MCR errors and their fixes, including role issues, file imports, and pension contributions, to streamline your Cintra iQ experience."
updated: 2026-06-10T11:19:12Z
published: 2026-06-10T11:19:12Z
canonical: "help.cintra.co.uk/how-do-i-correct-mcr-errors"
---

> ## 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.

# MCR: How do I correct errors?

This article contains a list of common MCR errors you may encounter and how to fix them.

## Unable to Determine Role Rule: Contribution Linked to Closed Post

**1. Link Contribution to an Open Post:**

1. Navigate to Cintra iQ: Employment record > Expenses & Benefits > Pension & Benefit Schemes tab.
2. Select the desired scheme membership.
3. Open the contribution record.
4. In the Edit Standing Pension Contribution form, check the "Applies To A Particular Post" box.
5. Choose the desired post from the drop-down menu.
6. Save the changes.

**2. Remove Post from Contribution:**

1. Confirm the post is closed via Cintra iQ: Employment record > Forms > Post History by checking the From and To dates.
2. Go to Cintra iQ: Employment record > Forms > Expenses/Benefits > Pension & Benefit Schemes tab.
3. Open the contribution record.
4. In the Edit Standing Pension Contribution form, uncheck the "Applies To A Particular Post" box.
5. Save the changes.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:**
> 
> - Close the contribution record by entering the To Date on the Edit Standing Contribution form and saving.
> - To create a new standing pension contribution record, right-click New in the Expenses/Benefits Pension & Benefit Schemes tab, enter the desired information, select Applies to A Particular Post, choose the desired post, and save.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066542.png)

## Unable to Import File: Unexpected File Header Row Definition

The file cannot be imported due to a mismatch in column headers. Ensure the .csv file has the same columns as the Save to Role Id Template file.

**To create the correct import file:**

1. Go to Cintra iQ: Payroll > Payroll Tools > Payroll Reports > Teachers Pension - Monthly Contribution Reconciliation.
2. Click the Save to Role Id Template button to generate the import file in the Employee Role Id tab.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066542.png)

## Employee Missing Establishment for Monthly Data Collection

To set up the establishment for the employee:

1. **Set Up Teaching Establishment:**
  - Go to Cintra iQ: Definitions > Lookups > TP MDC Establishments.
  - Enter the desired establishments and save.
2. **Link Employee to Teaching Establishment:**
  - Go to Cintra iQ: Personnel Record > Forms > Teaching Details.
  - In the SIR Details form, select the desired establishment from the Establishment to use for Monthly Data Collection drop-down list and save.
3. **Link Teaching Establishment to Employer:**
  - Ensure the Use Managed Educational Establishments for Teachers Pension Monthly Data Collection checkbox is selected.
  - Go to Cintra iQ: Payroll > Payroll Setup > Employer Setup.
  - Open the desired employer, navigate to the Teaching Details tab, and ensure the checkbox is selected.
  - Save.

**![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066542.png)**

## Employee in Pension Report but Not in MCR File

1. **Check Employee's Teaching Post:**

> [!NOTE]
> ***Note*:** If the employee is not in a teaching role, you can add one. For more information, see How Do I Assign Posts to Employees?
  - Does the employee have a valid teaching post?
  - Does the post have a valid spine point?
  - Does the post have a valid working pattern?
  - Ensure the Job Category in the employee's Post History form is a teaching role: Cintra iQ: Employment Record > Forms > Post History.
  - Verify Job Categories in the Job Category Lookup table are set as teaching roles: Cintra iQ: Definitions > Lookups > Lookup Table: Job Category.
2. **Verify Employee's Expenses and Benefits:**
  - Check for overlapping pension memberships.
  - Ensure the leave date is entered in the employee's Pension Scheme Membership record: Cintra iQ: Employment Record > Forms > Expenses/Benefits.
3. **Check Employee's Role ID:**
  - Ensure all employees have a Role ID in the Role Id tab: Cintra iQ: Payroll > Payroll Tools > Payroll Reports > Teachers Pension - Monthly Contribution Reconciliation.

**![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066542.png)**

## Overlapping Pension Scheme Memberships

1. **Resolve Overlapping Memberships:**
  - Is the employee a member of both the TPA and TPA Care schemes? Ensure the employee is in only one scheme: Cintra iQ: Employment Record > Forms > Expenses/Benefits > Pensions & Benefits Schemes tab.
  - Is the second Scheme Membership still active? Enter a To date for the unwanted scheme in the Scheme Membership pane.
  - Is the contribution associated with a closed post? Unselect the Applies To A Particular Post checkbox in the closed scheme's contribution record: Cintra iQ: Employment Record > Forms > Expenses/Benefits.

### **![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066542.png)**

## Missing or Invalid National Insurance Number

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066544.png)

- Navigate to personnel Records > Personal Details > Enter or Amend NI Number

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066545.png)

**![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066542.png)**

## Post (Example post name) has no Role ID

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066546.png)

Each new post entered applied to an employee will require a Role ID number

- Navigate to the Employee Role ID tab,
- on the bottom of the tab, select the option to Generate Role ID’s,
- Once you have done this, Save,
- Re-generate your MCR file.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066547.png)

### **![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066542.png)**

## Missing GTC Reference

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066548.png)

- Navigate to Personnel Records > Teaching Details

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066549.png)
- Re-Generate your MCR File

### **![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066542.png)**

## Pensionable pay has not been assigned to a post addition

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066550.png)

SMP addition in period 10 has not been assigned to the post

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066551.png)

- Navigate to your parental payments tab in forms > Select your Claim > Navigate to the second tab > Maternity Pay Schedule > Use the drop-down to select the post > Apply > Ok

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066553.png)
- Re-Generate your MCR file

### **![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066542.png)**

## Full time salary not between £13000 and £350000

This message means either of the following:

| Name | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Has No Salary Attached to Post** | Within the employee's **Payments** form, ensure that an **FTE** is attached to the post. 1. Navigate to the **Allowance and Rates Summary** tab in the employee's **Standing Allowance and Rates** form. The message in **MCR** will tells you which **Post** is incorrect. Go to **Cintra iQ**: Employment record > Forms > Payments/Rates 2. Expand the **Post's** allowance and rate to see if an **FTE** amount is displayed. ![MCR](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066555.png) > [!NOTE] > **Note:** The employee may have more than one post. You need to be able to see a **FTE** salary for each post. 3. If there is no **FTE** salary visible, navigate to the employee's **Post History** form. Go to **Cintra iQ**: Employment record > Forms > Post History 4. Double-click the employee's post. The **Edit Employee Post** form appears. 5. Ensure the **Spine Point Salary Paid As** field is populated with the desired grade. 6. Save and recalculate. |
| **Post has a salary attached that is under £13000 or above £35000** | Within the employee's **Post History** form, ensure that the spine point attached to the employee is between 13000 and 350000. 1. Navigate to the **Spine Point** tab. 2. Ensure the current spine point attached to the post is between **13000** and **350000**. 3. Save and recalculate. > [!NOTE] > **Note:** If you do not use the Post History form to drive your salaries, navigate to the Payments/Rates form and check the salary there. It may be the case that you have a period value but not an annual one. |
| **The post is an additional role** | If the post is an additional post i.e. detached from the main post, you can change it on the MCR. 1. Navigate to the **Employee Role Id** tab. Go to **Cintra iQ**: Payroll> Payroll Tools> Payroll Reports> Teachers Pension - Monthly Contribution Reconciliation 2. Check the **Add On Contract** within the desired post record. 3. Click the **Generate Role Ids**. This ties the additional contract to the main one. 4. Continue to generate the **MCR** data. |

## Error and Warning messages when creating a Monthly Reconciliation Report (MCR)

### Missing or Invalid National Insurance Number

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066556.png)

Navigate to personnel Records > Personal Details > Enter or Amend NI Number

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066557.png)

### Post (Example post name has no Role ID

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066558.png)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066559.png)

- Each new post entered applied to an employee will require a Role ID number
- Navigate to the Employee Role ID tab
- On the bottom of the tab, select the option to Generate Role ID’s
- Once you have done this, Save
- Re-generate your MCR file

## Missing GTC Reference

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066560.png)

- Navigate to Personnel Records > Teaching Details

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066561.png)
- Re-Generate your MCR File

### Pensionable pay has not been assigned to a post addition

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066562.png)

- SMP addition in period 10 has not been assigned to the post

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066563.png)
- Navigate to your parental payments tab in forms > Select your Claim > Navigate to the second tab > Maternity Pay Schedule > Use the drop-down to select the post > Apply > Ok

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066564.png)
- Re-Generate your MCR file