Payroll processing tools help automate tasks that are time-consuming for a small business. Look for a product that is simple to use and has transparent pricing.
Payroll errors can be costly for a business. Look for a service with built-in best practices and recommended formulas to guide nontechnical HR staffers.
Tight Integration
A good payroll system integrates with your existing business systems to improve efficiency and accuracy. It should also provide tight security measures to protect sensitive data, as your employees’ personal information, taxes, and salary figures are stored in the system.
Look for a continually updated service to comply with federal, state, and local tax laws. This ensures that your staff doesn’t have to manually input any changes when laws change. This is especially important if you have employees who work on flexible schedules, like part-time or contract workers.
Ask potential providers whether they have experience with companies like yours and their customer support options. Access to customer support is critical when you run into any problems with your payroll, as it can impact employee paychecks, tax compliance status, and bank account balances. The payroll service should offer customer support that’s available by phone or online and include a knowledge base and FAQs to help you quickly troubleshoot issues. Some services may also have a dedicated support specialist or offer priority support as an add-on.
Easy to Use
If you’re going to spend time and money on payroll processing software, make sure it meets your needs and is easy for your team to use. Ask potential vendors for examples of how their systems have helped other companies with similar challenges. Also, look for a system built to handle exponential growth so you can scale easily and remain compliant.
Ideally, you’ll find a solution that seamlessly integrates with your existing tools. That way, you can create a smooth workflow by scheduling employees, tracking time on the job, running payroll, and reconciling your accounting all in one place without interruptions.
You also want to consider whether or not the system will accommodate the needs of a flexible workforce, including part-time and contract workers.
Accurate Reporting
The wrong payroll solution can cause costly mistakes, and it’s a big reason why many business owners hesitate to make the switch. A broken process traps admins in a time-wasting cycle and stunts company growth.
A top-notch payroll provider combines data from multiple systems to streamline the payroll process and provide accurate reports such as pay summaries, deductions and contributions, tax liability, and W-2 summary reports. The right system will also meet compliance standards for your geographical region and include a self-service employee portal.
Look for a payroll service that supports remote work, if applicable to your organization. This feature makes it easy for hourly employees to track their hours, report time off, and update their information online. It improves the employee experience and makes it easier to get answers to any questions that may arise, maximizing payroll’s role in employee satisfaction. It’s also important to note that some providers may offer additional solutions such as HR software and services, records management, or business insurance. Make sure you fully understand the pricing model before you commit.
Security
The right payroll software can streamline processes to create a smooth workflow. The best systems allow you to schedule workers, run payroll and reconcile accounting all in one place without friction. This means you can eliminate manual processes that expose your company to risk and save time.
Look for cloud software with mobile apps that provide a consistent employee experience. This can reduce the number of calls to the HR department and create trust between employees and the company. You also want to make sure your provider offers a secure environment. With compliance landscapes changing on what feels like a daily basis, it’s important that your payroll service can help keep you in the loop about updates.
When choosing a payroll provider, consider your company’s long-term vision. Some platforms are designed for a specific business size, which can impact pricing. It would help if you also considered how easy it will be to onboard new employees and how quickly they can view their pay stubs.
Flexibility
When choosing a payroll processing service, consider whether it will work well with your existing apps and systems. Does it offer built-in integrations with your current time-tracking app, accounting system, and other essential applications? If not, look elsewhere.
It’s also important to find out how flexible the payroll software is. Will it be able to handle future tax laws and regulations? It should be able to change with your company’s needs and provide accurate guidance to help you stay compliant.
It would help if you also asked about payroll software’s reporting capabilities. A good option provides out-of-the-box reports and allows for customization. This way, you can get a data-driven picture of your business and make informed decisions about improving your processes.
Payroll services are typically priced per employee per month, but some may have additional fees for using direct deposit and year-end tax services. It’s also a good idea to determine if you must sign a contract and the costs if you decide to cancel the service.