This guide covers: set a client's starting check number, skip numbers when needed, and choose how each employee is paid.
Set the starting check number
What it does: Sets the first number Payrollix uses for printed payroll checks, so the sequence matches the client's own check stock instead of always beginning at 1001.
Where: Client → Settings → Payroll tab → Starting / Next Check Number.
Steps:
- Open the client and go to Settings → Payroll.
- In Starting / Next Check Number, enter the number your check stock begins at (e.g.
5000). - Click Save changes. The next printed payroll check will use that number, and each one after it increments by one.
If you don't set it, Payrollix starts at 1001.
Skip ahead in the sequence
Numbering normally continues from the last check used. If you've used some checks outside of payroll (or need to jump past a block of numbers), just raise the Starting / Next Check Number to where you want to resume.
For example, if payroll last printed check 5010 and you used checks 5011–5019 by hand, set the field to 5020 — the next payroll check will be 5020. The field acts as a floor, so anything at or below the last-used number is ignored and you can't accidentally reuse a check number.
Paper Check vs. Manual / Cash
When you run payroll, each employee has a payment method:
- Direct Deposit — Payrollix sends the net pay to the employee's bank by ACH.
- Paper Check — Payrollix produces the check: a printable PDF you run on check stock, or, if CheckFlo is enabled, we print and mail it. This is what gets a check number.
- Manual / Cash — Payrollix produces nothing; it records the payroll and you pay the employee directly (cash or your own check) outside Payrollix.
The tax calculation, withholding, and reporting are identical across all three — the only difference is how the employee's net pay is delivered. Only Paper Check uses the check number.