How to Use the Davis-Bacon Certified Payroll Prompt to Submit WH-347 Payrolls Without Corrections

On federally funded construction projects, certified payroll is part of getting paid. A subcontractor who lists a worker under the wrong classification, pays overtime on the wrong base, or uses an apprentice without registration can see payments withheld while the prime contractor and agency sort it out. The Davis-Bacon Certified Payroll Preparer for Subcontractors: WH-347 Line Entries, Wage Determination Classification Match, Basic Rate and Fringe Split, Overtime on Basic Rate, Apprentice Checks, and Statement of Compliance Review prompt helps you prepare each weekly payroll line by line, check it against the wage determination, and review the Statement of Compliance before you sign.

What the prompt produces

1. A classification match that ties each worker's work to a classification listed on the wage determination and flags anything missing.
2. WH-347 line entries for each worker, with hours by day, straight time and overtime, rate, gross, deductions, and net.
3. Rate checks that compare the basic hourly rate and fringe benefits with the wage determination, with math for any cash fringe.
4. Overtime calculations at time and a half of the basic rate, with fringe owed at straight time.
5. Apprentice checks for registration, period rate, and ratio.
6. A Statement of Compliance review covering the signer, the fringe boxes, and the exceptions section.
7. A weekly submission checklist.
8. A red flag list of anything likely to draw a correction request.

How to fill the inputs

WageDetermination includes the project, contract number, the wage determination number and modification, and the classifications and rates in your contract. The prompt will not invent rates.

WeeklyHours lists each worker with an identifying number rather than a full Social Security number, their classification or classifications, and daily hours.

FringeMethod explains whether fringe goes into approved plans, is paid in cash, or both, with plan contribution amounts per hour.

Apprentices gives the program name, the registration agency, the period, and the percentage of the journeyworker rate.

PayData covers rates actually paid, deductions, and the regular payday.

Reading the example output

The example is an electrical subcontractor on a school upgrade with three workers in one week:

• One worker's split classification is flagged because there are no daily records showing which hours were electrician work and which were laborer work, so all hours go at the higher rate.
• A journeyworker's 44 hour week shows 40 straight time hours, 4 overtime hours at one and a half times the basic rate, and fringe on all 44 hours at straight time.
• Cash fringe makes up the difference between the plan contribution and the required fringe, with the math shown.
• The apprentice is paid the period rate, with a note to keep registration proof on file or pay the full rate.
• The Statement of Compliance review explains how to mark plan contributions and report the cash portion as an exception.
• The red flag list names the three items to fix before submitting.

Tips for better results

• Keep daily time records by classification for anyone who does more than one kind of work.
• File a copy of every apprentice's registration and program standards before they start on the job.
• Ask the prime contractor for its submission deadline and format, including whether it needs no work performed payrolls.
• Check whether the project also has state prevailing wage rules, which can differ.

Mistakes to avoid

• Do not include fringe in the overtime premium.
• Do not list full Social Security numbers on the payroll.
• Do not use a classification that is not on the wage determination without a conformance request.
• Do not sign the Statement of Compliance without reviewing it. False statements carry penalties.

Who it is for

Payroll staff at construction subcontractors, small contractors bidding their first federal job, labor compliance officers at prime contractors, and bookkeepers who prepare certified payroll for trade clients.

Related PromptDig links

Open the Davis-Bacon Certified Payroll Preparer for Subcontractors: WH-347 Line Entries, Wage Determination Classification Match, Basic Rate and Fringe Split, Overtime on Basic Rate, Apprentice Checks, and Statement of Compliance Review prompt and add your wage determination and weekly hours to prepare a payroll. For more business prompts, Browse more prompts. If you have a compliance prompt for contractors, Share a prompt.