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Small and medium business | Business Central, N...
Answered

Understanding Basic Timesheet Principles

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Hi
 
I'm relatively new to working with business central and I'd like to get some basic info on timesheeting, and how the system treats them. I know how to create a timesheet, submit it, get approval and then use a journal to post, however I have some basic questions I can't seem to get an answer to, and I think I know the answer but I'm hoping I'm missing something. I've previously almost exclusively used SAP so this is a big change.
 
Firstly I'd really like to understand the double entry for timesheet postings. So the debit ends up on a project, but the other side I believe goes to a payroll account (although this can be changed). I believe the account can be changed, but can other details be added, such as a department code/project and can this be tailored for each member of staff? We have a several central pools of people that are booked to different projects so the credit should go to a different place depending on which team. I don't think this is unusual.
 
Secondly, is there a way of having multiple approvals. From what I've seen, if a timesheet is submitted and the approver is on leave or has left the business, the timesheet needs to be cancelled, the approver changed, and the timesheet submitted again. Is there a way around this?
 
Thanks
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  • Verified answer
    KasparsSemjonovs Profile Picture
    4,817 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at
    Hi,
    regarding point 1, the posting account and dimensions would be based on Resource card. For each employee You can create a Resource card. On this card You can set a Gen. Prod. posting group (it would impact the GL account the costs are put on.) and Dimensions - that will be assigned also the posting.

    Regarding point 2: in standard there is no way of doing this. 
    You can try to use Configuration packages and change the Approver user on the created Time sheets, or create a customized process that would do this. Could be a lot more useful, if You also use the HR module in the system. You can link on Employee card the related Resource No., and when an Absence is registered, the custom process during creation of time sheets could switch the approver. Or just a separate process on Time Sheet, to change the approver. 
  • Pallavi Phade Profile Picture
    5,420 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at
    Namaste ,
     
    Project need to be created and you can assign resources against each task 
     
    Setup Resource Card
     
    Gen Posting Setup
     
    Based on setup combination of Product posting group and Business Posting Group , accounting gets created 
    you can refer below
     
    For Question 2 
     
    You cannot change Approve Id out of box
     
    If you feel this is helpful , please verify the answer 
     
    Regards
    Pallavi Phade 
     
     
     
     
     
  • Suggested answer
    Rishabh Kanaskar Profile Picture
    6,219 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at
    Business Central’s timesheet functionality works differently from SAP, so here’s a clear explanation:
     
    1. Double-Entry for Timesheet Postings
    When you post timesheets, BC posts two sides:
    > Debit > Project (Job Ledger Entry) or Resource Ledger Entry, depending on setup.
    > Credit > Balancing Account (often a Payroll Clearing or Internal Cost account).
     
    Yes, you can control the credit side:
    > Use Resource Posting Groups to define the G/L accounts where the credit is posted.
    > You can set up multiple Resource Posting Groups for different pools of employees (departments, teams) so that credits post to different accounts automatically based on the resource.
    > You can also assign Default Dimensions (like Department or Project) to each Resource or Resource Group, this ensures every timesheet posting automatically carries the right dimension codes for reporting.
     
    So yes, you can tailor postings by team/member using Resource Posting Groups + Default Dimensions.
     
    2. Multiple Approvals / Approval Flexibility
    > Standard BC allows only one approver per timesheet. If the approver is absent, you must reassign or substitute them. However, there are solutions:
    > Substitute Approvers: In Approval User Setup, you can assign a substitute approver who can approve timesheets when the main approver is away.
    > Workflow with Multiple Approvers: You can configure an approval workflow (instead of the simple approver setup) that allows for multiple approvers or sequential approvals based on rules (amount, resource group, etc.).
    > If you need advanced approval chains (e.g., team lead + project manager approval), this may require workflow customization or an ISV app.
     
    Thanks
    Rishabh
  • Suggested answer
    YUN ZHU Profile Picture
    99,086 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at
    Hi, Regarding the second point, in addition to customization, you can also try Power Automate.
     
    Hope this helps.
    Thanks.
    ZHU

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