Which record keeps track of the earnings and deductions for employees during a pay period?

The payroll register is the primary record that details the earnings and deductions for employees during a specific pay period. It serves as a comprehensive summary that includes information such as gross wages, withholdings, and net pay for each employee. This record is essential for payroll processing as it allows businesses to accurately calculate and distribute payments while ensuring compliance with tax regulations and reporting requirements.

In addition to tracking individual earnings and deductions, the payroll register also facilitates record-keeping and provides important information for financial reporting and analysis. It serves as a foundational document for payroll management, allowing employers to monitor labor costs and ensure that all employee compensations are properly accounted for.

The other options, while related to employee payroll information, serve different functions. The employee record typically contains personal and employment-specific details rather than earnings and deductions. The earnings statement is primarily given to employees as a summary of their earnings and withholdings after payroll processing is completed, while a deduction log would focus specifically on the various deductions taken from employees' pay, without a complete picture of the earnings. Therefore, the payroll register is the most comprehensive document for tracking both earnings and deductions during a pay period.