System and Method for Coordinating the Collection, Analysis and Storage of Payroll Information Provided to Government Agencies by Government Contractors

Abstract

A method for systematically coordinating the collection, analysis and storage of payroll information provided to government agencies by government contractors pursuant to applicable regulations is disclosed. The method includes collecting payroll information from contractors, performing an automated compliance check on the payroll information collected from contractors, storing verified payroll information in at least one database, and performing an automated fraud check on payroll information. The method also includes notifying auditors of instances of possible fraud, notifying auditors of instances of non-compliance, sorting payroll information in the at least one database according to geographic and skill categories, and providing reports to agencies.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 446,559, filed Feb. 24, 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]Embodiments of the present invention relate to automated wage compliance, auditing and fraud detection systems and methods. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods collecting and storing payroll information, determining compliance with applicable regulations, and identifying non-compliance and potential fraud.[0004]2. Background Information[0005]Currently state and federal government contractors are required to submit weekly payroll information utilizing government forms, such as WH-347 used by the U.S. Government. This information is reviewed to ensure compliance with applicable regulations governing, for example, the wage rate for a certain skill in a certain locale. The submission and review of payroll inf...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the information that is uploaded is stored in a database thereby lessening the need to store paper records.

[0016]The system also preferably provides handheld devices to allow more efficient field surveys. In the currently preferred embodiment, the handheld devices are .net programmable iPaq handheld pocket PC's. Equipped with these handheld devices, auditors can conduct automated field surveys with a series of questions affecting a particular area, store the data and upload the data to the system. By virtue of the collection and auditing functions, the information obtained within the database is more reliable and can be used to detect instances of fraud. In addition, the collection of this information in a database makes it easy to generate reports for government agencies. In the case of the Federal Government, for example the Department of Labor, and more specifically the Employment Standards Administration is able to generate the required reports, or, alternatively query the database to obtain the desired information. A similar process is available to relevant state agencies.

[0018]The system provides an approach that incorporates all four constituent groups, (contractors, auditing agencies, reporting agencies and the system operator) in a systematic approach. The system allows simple input of data by the contractor including on-line input and real time verification of information input so that, wage determination and worker classification rates for each locality are captured and stored in a database.

[0019]The system benefits compliance auditors by providing systematic identification of possible instances of fraud and also identifying mistakes through statistical analysis (ratio checking and the like.)

[0020]By gathering the information in a single database, or multiple integrated databases the system also simplifies report generation and allows, if desired, querying of the database to obtain specific information. As used herein, the term database may refer to a single database or a plurality of databases accessible by one or more users of the system.

Problems solved by technology

For a contractor using the web-based interface, this will result in an immediate error notification so that the contractor can put in correct information.

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