---
title: "How do I produce a pay variance report?"
slug: "how-do-i-produce-a-pay-variance-report"
updated: 2026-06-10T11:26:20Z
published: 2026-06-10T11:26:20Z
canonical: "help.cintra.co.uk/how-do-i-produce-a-pay-variance-report"
---

> ## 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.

# How do I produce a pay variance report?

Within **Cintra iQ**, you can check your payroll using the **Pay Variance Report** to compare the **Pay**, **Deductions** and **Net Pay** from the current period against the previous period, highlighting any variances and possible reasons for the variance. For instance, you can check anyone within the payroll who has gone up or down in Net Pay by 20%. You can then export the data into a spreadsheet.

This report is a very detailed version of the altered pay report, there are a number of subtle differences. All pay elements are shown by default and are flagged when a variance occurs. **Current (C), Previous (P), Variance (V)** are shown as rows instead of columns.

| Name | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Current (C):** | This line displays the **Current Net Pay**, **Previous Net Pay**, and pay breakdown for the current period. |
| **Previous (P):** | This line displays the **Current Net Pay**, **Previous Net Pay**, and pay breakdown for the previous period. |
| **Variance (V):** | This line displays the difference between the **Current Period** and the **Previous Period**. |

You can also add comments to the report. The report data can be filtered by selecting the **All**, **Current**, **Previous,** or **Variance Display** options.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066627.png)

## To produce the report

1. Go to **Cintra iQ**: Payroll > Payroll Tools > Payroll Reports > Pay Variance Report. The **Pay Variance Report - Select Payroll and Period** form appears.
2. Select the desired **Payroll**.
3. Select the desired payroll period.
4. Click the **Next** button. The **Pay Variance Report - Criteria** form appears.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066628.png)
5. Select the desired **Net Pay Variance Threshold** criteria.
6. Include **Starters** and/or **Leavers**, if necessary.
7. Click the **Next** button. The **Pay Variance Report** appears.
8. Continue to **Archive**, **Email**, **Save**, and/or **Print** the report.

### Spreadsheet Output example

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066629.png)

## To add variance report comments

Before starting to run a **Variance Report**, you can set up a list of **Variance Report Comments**. This groups the data together to make a comment easier to find and avoid typing the same comment many times.

### Set up a comments list

1. Navigate to the **Pay Variance Comments** lookup table. Go to **Cintra iQ**: Definitions > Lookups > Lookup Administration window > Pay Variance Comments lookup table
2. Click the **Insert** button. The **Employment Pay Variance Comments** dialogue appears.
3. Enter the description of the comment.
4. Click the **OK** button. The **Variance Comment** is created.
5. Continue to create comments.

### Add the comment

1. Select the desired record in the **Current** period. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066630.png)
2. Right click: **New**. The **New Pay Variance Comment** form appears.
3. Select either a pre-existing comment from the drop-down list or enter the **Comment** in the pane.
4. Click the **OK** button. The comment is attached to the report. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001066631.png)