Review of Postal Service's Payroll System

During fiscal year 1976, the Postal Service employed about 679,000 people and incurred personnel costs of $12 billion. Although no major weaknesses were found in the payroll system, some deficiencies in procedures were identified. Suggestions were offered for improvements in the design of a new system.

The computerized time and attendance system, the Postal Source Data System, did not have adequate controls of badges and authorizers to preclude improper pay authorizations and adjustments. Employees' separations and transfers were not always promptly recorded in payroll files, resulting in some erroneous payments. Improvements would result from: (1) incorporating programmed controls into payroll programs; (2) increased involvement by the Office of Audit in computer system design and program changes; (3) strengthened procedures for computer security; (4) one master pay record for each employee; and (5) adoption of advanced data entry methods for making changes in master pay records.