Which information from timecards provides an audit trail to support financial reporting?

The information regarding the hours worked on a specified date provides a crucial audit trail to support financial reporting. It is essential for accurately tracking labor costs associated with different periods of operation. This data is directly related to payroll processing and helps ensure that employees are compensated correctly for the hours they worked.

By having a record of hours worked on specific dates, auditors can verify the accuracy of payroll expense entries recorded in financial statements. This also facilitates the examination of compliance with labor laws and regulations regarding overtime and minimum wage requirements. Ensuring that the hours worked correlate with the financial transactions recorded helps maintain accountability and transparency in financial reporting.

In contrast, while departmental codes may help in identifying where labor costs are incurred, they do not provide the specific information necessary for tracing individual labor transactions. Employee names are also important but serve primarily as identifiers for whom the payments are made; they do not contribute directly to the financial data needed for reporting. Lastly, understanding the type of work performed offers context, but it does not directly influence the financial audit trail as the hours worked do.