> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.flowpayroll.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting started

> Go from a new account to your first completed pay run — set up your organisation, add people, and pay them.

This guide takes you from zero to your first pay run. If you're brand new to Flow Payroll, follow it top to bottom. Each step links to a deeper guide if you want more detail.

<Note>
  Flow Payroll uses UK payroll terms throughout — PAYE, NI, RTI, FPS, EPS, P45, P60. If any are unfamiliar, the [key concepts](/guides/key-concepts) guide explains them.
</Note>

## Before you begin

You'll get set up faster if you have these to hand:

* Your organisation's **PAYE reference** and **Accounts Office reference** from HMRC.
* Your **HMRC Government Gateway** credentials for RTI submissions.
* Each employee's personal and employment details (name, address, date of birth, NI number, start date, tax code, and pay).
* Your pay schedule — how often you pay people (weekly, fortnightly, four-weekly, or monthly) and the pay day.

## Set up in five steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Configure your organisation">
    Add your company details and HMRC settings so submissions are attributed correctly.

    [Set up your organisation →](/guides/setup/organisation-setup)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a pay run schedule">
    Define how often you pay people and on which day. This drives every pay run.

    [Configure pay run settings →](/guides/setup/pay-run-settings)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add your people">
    Add employees individually or import them in bulk, including their tax codes, NI category, and pay.

    [Add and manage people →](/guides/people/managing-people)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run your first pay run">
    Enter or import hours and adjustments, review the calculated pay, and approve.

    [Run a pay run →](/guides/pay-runs/running-a-pay-run)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Submit to HMRC and share payslips">
    Send your Full Payment Submission (FPS) to HMRC, then send payslips to your team.

    [HMRC & RTI →](/guides/compliance/hmrc-rti) · [Payslips →](/guides/pay-runs/payslips)
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What happens next

Once your first pay run is done, most months follow the same rhythm:

1. Review who's being paid and update anyone whose pay or details changed.
2. Add any statutory payments, pension changes, or court-order deductions.
3. Run the pay run and submit the FPS **on or before** pay day.
4. Submit your EPS at month-end if you have anything to report.

<Tip>
  Set a recurring reminder for your RTI deadlines. The FPS must reach HMRC on or before each pay day, and the EPS is due by the 19th of the following tax month (the 22nd if you pay HMRC electronically).
</Tip>

## Where to go next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Key concepts" icon="book-open" href="/guides/key-concepts">
    The building blocks: organisations, pay runs, payslips, RTI, and more.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Auto-enrolment" icon="piggy-bank" href="/guides/pensions/auto-enrolment">
    Assess and enrol workers into a workplace pension.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Statutory payments" icon="heart-pulse" href="/guides/compliance/statutory-payments">
    Sick, maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental pay.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reports" icon="chart-column" href="/guides/reports/reports">
    Reporting and insights — coming soon.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>