When deciding on a payroll provider, it can be difficult to know where to begin. There are several alternatives available, ranging from local payroll services in your region to national payroll solutions and online software. What’s ideal for you will rely on the characteristics that are most crucial to your company.
As a local payroll service, we’ve noticed a pattern among the small businesses we work with. They frequently place a high value on accessible quality customer service and precise payroll and tax processing. It helps them to refrain from committing any mistakes. Small businesses also focus on knowledge of payroll compliance and an intuitive payroll system. Let’s take a look at the steps that you should follow to locate such a payroll system.
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To make sure you choose the ideal payroll provider for your business, follow these steps.
Step 1 – Discover what features it must have and the nice-to-have features
Payroll elements that are a must for your company are essential. For instance, it wouldn’t make sense to sign up for a DIY plan that merely calculates tax amounts if you needed a straightforward method to make sure your payroll taxes are filed and paid on time; consider Patriot Software’s Basic package as an example.
Nice-to-have features were similar to desires. Even if you don’t need them, having them would make life more convenient. Think about time monitoring.
An integrated time and attendance system that enables workers to clock in and out would be beneficial for a company with two hourly employees that plans to expand enormously over the course of the next year. The technology automatically records and calculates your workers’ work hours before feeding it into your payroll system, eliminating the need for you or your employees to manually input this information. By doing this, you can avoid transferring data back and forth between locations and guarantee the accuracy of the data.
The scenario we just discussed also demonstrates another crucial factor to remember. In selecting a payroll provider, it’s crucial to consider the future. What do you need today vs what you’ll need in a payroll service in a year or two? Can the supplier accommodate your planned growth?
- A typical payroll system that most businesses could have
Although each firm has different payroll requirements, the following basic elements are required by most:
- Payroll processing, which includes computations for overtime.
- Options for direct deposit and paper checks
- Automated filing and payment of payroll taxes
- The creation and distribution of year-end tax forms (W2 forms).
- You should also take the level of software integration, usability, and customer service into consideration.
Availability of Customer Support
The majority of payroll providers provide some kind of client assistance. Numerous national businesses and online programs provide free chat via their websites, apps, and email addresses. Many of them also provide live phone help, but consumers are often sent to a contact center where wait periods can be protracted; you can see how frustrating this is by reading third-party reviews. You can even come across payroll service companies that charge more for customer assistance if your investigation is comprehensive.
Local payroll services excel in this area. You get free direct numbers to the local staff that manages your payroll rather than 800-numbers. Due of the rarity of receiving your payroll team’s mobile phone numbers rather than simply office numbers, Cirrus Payroll is even more important.
Local payroll providers’ customer service is crucial for businesses that prefer following aspects.
- Dislike being moved between different departments.
- Wish to get to know their payroll representatives.
- Have little patience when waiting on hold.
- Prefer not to have their needs upsold in order to assist a sales representative reach their quota.
- Convenience in using.
Payroll software and systems are both included under usability. You must determine the degree of technical proficiency required for all of your new hires. Numerous online payroll programs demand that you perform the setup yourself, perhaps with assistance from a customer care representative over the phone.
Consider if you are going for a local service
National services often take care of it for you, but there is a significant setup charge, and it can take a few weeks. In most cases, local payroll providers have the time to guide you through the process, work alongside you, or even take care of it on your behalf. Compared to bigger payroll businesses, they are better able to tailor this experience since they are smaller.
Check the level of knowledge among your staff
Do you have compliance specialists on staff? Although a lot of online payroll software providers claim that compliance is incorporated into their products, this is only partially true. Do you have access to real people that are knowledgeable about the most recent payroll laws? This is crucial if you don’t have an expert on staff. Even if you utilize payroll software, you can still commit compliance errors that subject you to IRS fines or other legal action.
The payroll service provider needs to have qualified professionals that can confidently advise you when problems emerge. Without a team of payroll professionals on your side, you can have easily missed tax credits you’re entitled to or sick leave obligations you should have fulfilled with when, for example, the pandemic prompted some substantial adjustments to take effect rapidly.
Ability to integrate with your existing software
Software integration is the process of integrating two programs to exchange data. Payroll is essential because of the potential time savings. Working with Cirrus Payroll eliminates the need for manual payroll data entry into the general ledger if you currently use QuickBooks. Our solution will streamline the procedure by establishing a direct connection with your QuickBooks system.
Additional Features Offered by Payroll Services
What other payroll features would you require?
- Time and attendance management: Time and attendance records are a requirement for certain companies, but not for others, such as those with just paid workers.
- Workers’ compensation management: Although most states mandate workers’ compensation, some companies choose to buy coverage via a private independent broker.
- Employee perks: These can include pre-tax savings accounts, retirement plan choices, commuter perks, health, dental, and vision insurance.
Reach out to each payroll provider
If you have any questions as you work to reduce the number of payroll service providers on your list, don’t be afraid to contact. Because websites often only provide a limited amount of information, particularly on price and the functionality of the services, emailing or even talking online with a representative can be helpful.
When looking for payroll providers, company owners often have the following questions:
- How long does it take to set up?
- How long does it take to complete a direct deposit?
- Which software is smoothly integrated with your payroll system?
- Are payroll tax registrations something you manage or am I on my own?
Before contacting the supplier, it’s a good idea to make a list of the questions you have in mind. By doing this, you can avoid making repeated calls to the same organization and make sure you obtain the information you need.
Arrange a Demo
When you’re left with just a few pieces of software, think about setting up free demonstrations to test them out. This will demonstrate the software’s user-friendliness and if processing payroll takes four or 10 steps. Some systems are antiquated, cumbersome, and challenging to operate. You are allowed to ask questions and even request that a person demonstrate a particular job for you during a demo. They often demonstrate the most typical activities, such as how to approve an employee’s work schedule, so be sure to take your company’s unique requirements into account.
Important Reminder
Verify that the non-negotiables are offered by any payroll company you are considering. Compare the number of steps required to complete certain jobs with various businesses, such as approving the number of hours worked and the net pay check amount. All except the top three services must be dropped.
Step 2: Pick the Payroll Service with the Best Value
When you’ve finished comparing all the payroll services you’re thinking about, choose the one that provides the greatest value for your company’s requirements. In the end, you should work to get all the features your company need to manage payroll; these characteristics can vary depending on the size, nature, or even sector of your firm.
Avoid services that provide you with much more than you need; for instance, if you don’t intend to give benefits, you shouldn’t join a professional employment organization (PEO) like Paychex PEO. For access to services you don’t need, you’ll spend much more than is required.
Final words
When selecting a payroll provider, take your time. Assessing your company’s demands first can help you narrow down your search. You will have the choice of a local payroll firm, a national payroll company, or online payroll software.
Consider a local payroll provider if you place a high value on customer care and want to be able to meet with your payroll personnel in person, if required. It handles payroll taxes, employee payments, and even the onboarding of new software.
