What Is Advice Number on Pay Stub?

The simple answer to “What is advice number on pay stub?” is that it’s a reference number that tracks the payment. When you get your pay stub, you should see some numbers printed on it. Those numbers are a kind of ID or fingerprint that helps the payroll department track the transaction.

In this article, we help you answer “What is advice number on pay stub?” and break down related terms. You’ll learn what direct deposit advice, VCHR number, and advice date mean. Even when you make your pay stub with a pay stub generator, you’ll be able to know what the numbers mean.

What Is Advice Number on Pay Stub?

An advice number is a special identifier that the payroll software of your company gives to its pay stubs. It is a unique record of the payment you received. So, whether you get paid with direct deposit or a physical check, each pay stub has its own advice number.

In this manner, if there’s an issue with an employee’s payment, the payroll department can easily identify the transaction. This allows any payment issues to be resolved easily.

Read More: Pay Stub Laws: What Employers Must Provide by State

What Is a Direct Deposit Advice?

A direct deposit advice is a document that gives you all the details about the payment made to your bank account. If you get paid by direct deposit, you don’t get physical checks. Instead, you get a pay advice slip that serves as proof of payment and contains the details you’d find on a traditional paycheck stub.

This means on your direct deposit advice, you should find your:

• gross pay

• tax and social security deductions

• other contributions

• net pay or salary

With this document, you can check to ensure that the correct amount was deposited in your bank account. Depending on where you work, you can get it on your company’s payroll portal, or it may be sent to your email. 

Where To Find Advice Number or VCHR Number

Both the advice number and the VCHR number (which stands for voucher number) serve similar purposes. They help you identify payment transactions.

Your employer or payroll system will have their own pay stub format. The format they use determines where you’ll find the advice number or VCHR number.

Generally, the number appears at the top of the pay stub. Look at the top right or top left for labels like “Advice #,” “Voucher #,” or “VCHR #.” If it’s a direct deposit advice slip, check the section where your name and address are provided. 

Check Out: Get accurate pay stubs using our customizable paystub templates

Advice Date Meaning on Pay Stubs

The advice date is the date that the payroll department processes your payment and creates the transaction. So, it’s the date that the company made the payment record. The advice date tends to fall on your pay day.

However, in some cases, especially with direct deposit, the transfer of funds may start a day or two before it gets to you. This is because banks usually need some time to process electronic payments.

Aside from the advice date, you’ll see other important dates like the specific pay period and the deposit date. Keeping track of your advice date can help you plan your finances around when your pay comes in.

Also Read: Feeling Stub Stumped? 5 Keys To Reading A Pay Stub Correctly

Advice Number vs. Check Number

Both the advice number and check number are identifiers that are used to track payment transactions. However, they are not the same.

The check number appears on a physical check only and corresponds to the pre-printed number on the actual check document. Banks use that to process and keep track of the paper payments.

On the other hand, it’s your payroll software that assigns an advice number to your pay stubs. And it appears on all pay stubs, whether as an advice number or a pay stub number.

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Why Advice Numbers Matter for Payroll Records

Here are some reasons why advice numbers are important:

1. Compliance and Record Keeping Purposes

There are federal and state laws that mandate that employers keep proper payroll records. Advice numbers help them to keep things in order because they provide a clear label for each pay period. So, they can access and get the information they need within a short time. When everything is organized, it’s easier to handle audits and prepare reports. 

2. Resolving Payment Discrepancies

If you want to report any error in your payment, the payroll department can easily get the record with the advice number. That way, the team can easily find the problem and correct it quickly. This will ensure you receive the right wages.

3. Proof of Income Purposes

You may need to prove the amount of money you earn for different reasons. Maybe you’re applying for loans, renting an apartment, or filing taxes. With the advice numbers, you can sort your pay stubs, which allows you to locate anyone you need quickly. Maintaining these records helps you get a clear picture of your earnings over time.

Further Reading: Using Pay Stub for Proof of Income

Wrap Up

Now that you’re familiar with “What is advice number on pay stub?”, you can handle your payroll records better. Keep in mind what the direct deposit advice and VCHR number also mean. By knowing where to find these markers and what they do, you can address any payment questions that arise easily.

You are now prepared to create your own professional pay stubs with clear advice numbers. Our professional paystub creator can help you create proper pay stubs that have all the necessary payment identifiers. Check it out today, and let's help you improve your payroll documentation.