What Should an Accounting Firm Time Clock Track?

Track the payroll record

An accounting or tax firm time clock should track:

• Clock-in and clock-out times.
• Missed punches.
• Manual edits and edit reasons.
• Breaks, if your process tracks them.
• Office, department, or role when that helps review.
• Manager approval.
• Payroll export or summary status.
• Searchable records after payroll closes.

Keep billable time separate

Billable time usually supports client work, invoicing, or practice management. Payroll time supports a different record: when employees worked, what changed, who approved it, and what payroll received.

That separation matters most during busy season, when small corrections can pile up quickly.

For more detail, read time clock app for accounting and tax firms. If you need a review step, use the time card approval checklist template.