| Software supplier |
Product name |
Date product accredited |
Suitability |
Contact details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Abacor Payroll Version 1 |
6 June 2005 |
|
Telephone: 0151 907 2942 |
|
Internet Payroll Multi-Site 6.7 100% WEB BASED |
5 December 2005 |
Unlimited sites 1 – 250 employees each |
email: sales@able |
|
Internet Pay Bureau 6.7 100% WEB BASED |
5 December 2005 |
Unlimited clients 1 – 250 employees each |
email: sales@able |
|
Intranet Payroll IBM DB 6.7 |
5 December 2005 |
Unlimited employees |
email: sales@able |
|
Internet Payroll Employees 6.7 100% WEB BASED |
5 December 2005 |
1 – 280 employees |
email: sales@able |
|
Internet Payroll Elite 6.7 100% WEB BASED |
5 December 2005 |
10 – 250 employees |
email: sales@able |
|
Internet Payroll Star 6.7 100% WEB BASED |
5 December 2005 |
1 – 10 employees |
email: sales@able |
|
Bureau Edition |
08 June 2006 |
Unlimited employees, Multi user, Unlimited Companies, Remote support |
email: info@accentra.co.uk |
|
Enterprise Edition |
08 June 2006 |
1 - 9999 employees, Multi user, 1-99 Companies, Remote support |
email: info@accentra.co.uk |
|
Professional Edition |
8 June 2006 |
1 - 999 Employees, 1 - 25 Companies, Multi user, Remote support |
email: info@accentra.co.uk |
|
Standard Edition |
8 June 2006 |
1 – 99 Employees, Single company, Single user, Remote support |
email: info@accentra.co.uk |
|
Access Payroll Version 4.10b |
29 October 2005 |
Is scalable for any size of company. |
email: info@ |
|
Action File Paypoint for Windows vP4.0Y |
22 October 2005 |
|
email: info@ |
|
AVPAY version 4.3 |
14 July 2005 |
1- unlimited. SMEs PSO's & Bureaus |
email Info@ |
|
Andica Payroll version 2005 |
29 July 2005 |
1 to unlimited employees |
email: info@ |
|
Accord Payroll |
20 March 2006 |
Unlimited employees |
email: sales@ |
|
CalcPay version 06.005.2120 |
30 November 2005 |
1 to 500 employees, Multi Company |
email: support@ |
|
Uniwage |
20 January 2006 |
1 - unlimited |
email: mail@ |
|
Cascade Payroll version 9.0-0 |
8 March 2006 |
From 25 employees upwards. WAN & LAN versions |
email: info@ |
|
OpenPeople Version 7.02 |
17 January 2006 |
100 - 20,000 employees |
email: marketing@ |
|
CCH Payroll |
23 January 2006 |
Unlimited |
email: info@ |
|
CINTRA |
12 November 2005 |
1 - 20,000 employees |
email: info@ |
|
WinAccs/WinPay version 6.29 |
22 May 2006 |
10, 25, 50, 100 up to 9,999 employees, multi-company (up to 990), |
sales@ |
|
TeamTrak |
08 February 2006 |
100 - unlimited |
email:sales@ |
|
DO$H Payroll + version 3.2 |
28 July 2005 |
1-5, 20 or 50 employees, plus Unlimited, Bureau and Multi-business |
email: sales@ |
|
Earnie Business Edition version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
|
email: enquire@ |
|
Earnie Executive Edition version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
|
email: enquire@ |
|
Earnie Intro Edition version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
|
email: enquire@ |
|
Systematics / Flexipayroll |
17 May 2005 |
Unlimited employees |
email: sales@ |
|
Fourth Payroll version number 2005 |
28 June 2005 |
Totally scalable solution completely internet based |
email: info@ |
|
Chris 21 |
02 April 2006 |
100-100,000 employees |
email: sales@ |
|
Workforce Ochre Payroll Version 14 |
23 January 2006 |
Multiple companies and unlimited employees |
email: sales@ |
|
Quickbooks 2005 |
15 September 2005 |
1 - 100 Employees, Multi Company |
email: ukpayroll@ |
|
Earnie Business Edition Version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
Please contact vendor for details |
email: sales@ |
|
Earnie Intro Edition Version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
Please contact vendor for details |
email: sales@ |
|
Earnie Executive Edition Version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
Please contact vendor for details |
email: sales@ |
|
IRIS PAYE-Master Version 5.4.7.1 |
20 January 2006 |
SME Companies 1+ (multi-company and bureau also available) |
email: sales@ |
|
Kalamazoo |
2 February 2006 |
1 to 5000 employees |
email: kalamazoo@ |
|
Kalamazoo |
2 February 2006 |
1 to 5000 employees |
email: kalamazoo@ |
|
KCS version 9.X |
13 August 2005 |
Unlimited employees |
email:sales@ |
|
Keytime Payroll - Version 3 |
10 September 2005 |
1 - unlimited employees, |
email: sales@ |
|
Keytime Freepay - Version 3 |
10 September 2005 |
Small businesses with 1 - 5 employees |
email: freepayroll@ |
|
Mamut Payroll version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
|
email: info@ |
|
Equator version number 5.1 |
24 June 2005 |
Please contact vendor for details. |
email: sales@ |
|
Miraclepay for Navision version 3.0 |
28 April 2006 |
|
email: info@miracle Telephone: 01519 442244 |
|
Flexipay V2.04 |
24 September 2005 |
any number of employees, single companies, groups and bureaux |
email: sales@ |
|
IBS Payroll version 1.0 |
26 January 2006 |
Is scalable for any size of company, multi-company, or bureau |
email: info@ Telephone: 01925 268127 |
|
Payroll Manager 20 |
24 September 2005 |
Single Company, up to 20 employees |
email: info@ |
|
Payroll Manager 100 |
24 September 2005 |
Unlimited number of companies, each with up to 100 employees |
email: info@ |
|
Payroll Manager 250 |
24 September 2005 |
Unlimited number of companies, each with up to 250 employees |
email: info@ |
|
Moorepay Elite Professional Version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
|
email: sales@ |
|
Moorepay Elite Professional with costings Version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
|
email: sales@ |
|
Goldweb 6.7 |
5 December 2005 |
1 – 260 employees, Entirely Internet Based |
email: sales@ |
|
Web Payroll Employees 6.7 |
5 December 2005 |
1 – 270 employees, Entirely Internet Based |
email: sales@ |
|
Web Bureau 6.7 |
5 December 2005 |
Unlimited clients 1 – 260 employees, Entirely Internet Based |
email: sales@ |
|
Web Multi-Branch 6.7 |
5 December 2005 |
Unlimited branches 1 – 260 employees, Entirely Internet Based |
email: sales@ |
|
Intranet IBM DB 6.7 |
5 December 2005 |
Unlimited employees |
email: sales@ |
|
Silverweb 6.7 |
5 December 2005 |
1 – 12 employees, Entirely Internet Based |
email: sales@ |
|
Neptune Payroll Satellite version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
30 current employees |
email: enquiries@ |
|
Neptune Payroll Enterprise + version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
500 current employees |
email: enquiries@ |
|
Neptune Payroll Enterprise version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
100 current employees |
email: enquiries@ |
|
PayGlobal 1.9x |
7 April 2006 |
500+ employees |
email: info@ |
|
Accord Payroll Version 1.5 |
20 March 2006 |
50 - 100,000 employees |
email: sales@ |
|
Free Internet Payroll Bureau Version 6.0 Fully Internet Based |
24 January 2006 |
1-50 employees |
email: sales@ |
|
Free Internet Payroll for Employees, Version 6.0. Fully Internet Based |
24 January 2006 |
1-50 employees |
email: sales@ |
|
Free Internet Payroll Multi-User, Version 6.0 Fully Internet Based |
24 January 2006 |
1-50 employees |
email: sales@ |
|
Free Internet Payroll Star Version 6.0 Fully Internet Based |
24 January 2006 |
1-50 employees |
email: sales@ |
|
Free Internet Payroll Multi-Office Version 6.0 Fully Internet Based |
24 January 2006 |
1-50 employees |
email: sales@ |
|
Capital Gold Version 3.60 |
23 November 2005 |
|
email: info@ |
|
Opera II Enterprise Release 4.00.00 |
19 May 2005 |
Unlimited Employees |
email: info@ |
|
Opera II Enterprise SQL Release 4.00.00 |
19 May 2005 |
Unlimited employees |
email: info@ |
|
Opera II Small Business Release 4.00.00 |
19 May 2005 |
50 - 100 employees |
email: info@ |
|
PCS Payroll version 2.3.0.10 |
16 September 2005 |
1000 Employees |
email: Info@ |
|
Pyramid V2006.1 |
13 January 2006 |
1 to unlimited |
email: sales@ |
|
Qtac Payroll Professional version 6.100 |
2 February 2006 |
1 to 5000 employees |
email: info@ |
|
Qtac Payroll Manager version 6.100 |
2 February 2006 |
1 to 5000 employees |
email: info@ |
|
PAYE 2000 |
29 April 2006 |
Small companies & high street accountants running payroll bureau services |
email: sales@ |
|
Payrite 2006 version 01 release 1 |
16 November 2005 |
Unlimited |
email: payrite@ |
|
Sage Instant Payroll Version 11.03.039 |
1 July 2005 |
1 to 10 employees |
email: qualifying@ |
|
Sage Payroll Version 12.00 |
27 September 2005 |
Unlimited |
email: qualifying@ |
|
Sage Payroll Professional Version 12.00 |
27 September 2005 |
Unlimited |
email: qualifying@ |
|
Sage Payroll Bureau Version 12.00 |
27 September 2005 |
Unlimited |
email: qualifying@ |
|
World Service version 1.3 |
26 January 2006 |
Unlimited employees |
email:info@ |
|
Star Payroll Professional version 6.2006 |
27 January 2006 |
Unlimited employees, single/multi company, payroll bureaux & payrolls for expatriates |
email: sales@ |
|
Sunsystems Payroll Release 4.00.00 |
19 May 2005 |
Unlimited Employees |
email: marketing@ |
|
TAS Books Payroll version 5.09 |
16 December 2005 |
1-1000 Employees |
email: sales@ |
|
TeamSpirit Version 28 |
30 October 2005 |
Unlimited Employees |
email: sales@ |
|
Global Payroll V 7.2 |
01 November 2005 |
|
email: global@ |
|
Topaz Employee Management System (EMS) Version 9 |
19 March 2006 |
20 to 20,000 employees |
email: info@ |
|
TRG Advantage Version 4.5 |
5 April 2005 |
Is scalable for any size of company. |
email: support@ |
|
Payroll Director Professional Version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
|
email: info@ |
|
Payroll Director Professional with costings Version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
|
email: info@ |
|
Payroll Director Small Business Version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
|
email: info@ |
|
Payroll Director Small Business with costings Version 1.12 |
23 November 2005 |
|
email: info@ |
|
Payroll Manager version 6.100 |
2 February 2006 |
recommended maximum number 500 employees |
email: sales@ |
|
HR Works Bureau |
17 May 2005 |
50 - 12000 employees |
email: Jane.Broughton@ |
|
HR Works Commercial Payroll version 2.0 |
17 May 2005 |
50 - 12000 employees |
email: Jane.Broughton@ |
|
HR Works Establishment Payroll version 3.2 |
17 May 2005 |
50 - 12000 employees |
email: Jane.Broughton@ |
outsource payroll
Introduction
Even the most meticulous and experienced professionals find that payroll can be a headache. Slap on a stiff penalty for a tax filing omission, and now we're talking a full-blown financially-induced migraine.
For many businesses, payroll services offer an attractive and valuable alternative to in-house processing. Chosen correctly, they provide a less expensive, simpler means of paying your employees, filing your taxes, and performing a host of other duties these companies' sales reps can't wait to tell you about.
However, choosing poorly is like starting a new job you weren't right for in the first place -- it's a hassle to leave, but if you stay, you'll be perpetually frustrated.
Companies often initially process payroll themselves for any number of the following reasons:
Plus, without the proper knowledge of payroll procedure and access to a sound payroll program, it's easy to make mistakes. Employees as well as federal, state, and local tax collection agencies need to be paid in full, on time, and in the proper manner. Usually, late payments are cause for monetary penalties.
Finally, using a payroll service can ease your mind. The Internal Revenue Service has reported that one out of every three employers has been charged for a payroll mistake, with total penalties reaching into the billions of dollars. And given the ever-changing nature of tax regulations, it's easy to make an error that can grossly affect your bottom line.
BuyerZone.com can help you select the right payroll service--as well as coach you on switching to a new one. In addition to offering up the nitty gritty on payroll services, we will simplify the industry and empower you with solid working knowledge to apply to your search for a provider.
When to outsource
While the majority of U.S. businesses process paychecks internally, this is not always cost-effective. At minimum, internal payroll processing requires the purchase of a computer or manual accounting program and extensive training to use it. In addition, businesses need to keep up to date on changes in personnel, deadlines, and tax requirements on an ongoing basis.
Using a payroll service generally makes sense if your payroll changes with each pay period. If your company has employees working varying amounts of hours each week or has a significant turnover rate, a payroll service can be a time-saving and cost-effective alternative to internal processing. Using a payroll service can also be helpful if you have to pay payroll taxes for multiple states.
On the other hand, if your payroll expenses are quite stable, you may find handling payroll internally to be just fine for your needs.
Services provided
A payroll company's basic services include calculating payroll and tax obligations for each employee, printing and delivering checks, and providing management reports. Paychecks can be issued on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, semi-monthly or yearly payroll basis.
In addition, payroll firms can offer services such as automatic check signatures, envelope stuffing, and direct deposit of checks. Payroll firms also issue W-2 forms for an additional fee of about $1 per form.
Many services now offer tie-ins with 401(k) and Section 125 mutual fund plans, allowing employees to designate automatic deductions from their paychecks. And for larger companies with more complex processing needs, some payroll providers have even begun to offer integrated HR software systems that track employee benefits-related information in addition to regular payroll data.
Choosing a provider
Besides offering the services you require, a payroll service should offer a high level of customer service. Unlike some other business services, you will need to communicate regularly with your payroll provider.
If your sales representative will not be handling your account, make sure to speak with the customer service reps to ensure you will be satisfied. Also, consider requesting references from current clients to gain a better sense of the provider's level of customer service.
You should look for a payroll provider that is within reasonable driving distance, allowing you to pick up checks in case of an emergency. Also check that the company is bonded to ensure your company will not suffer from any potential financial mishandling.
Filing payroll taxes
Many payroll services offer the option of filing state and federal payroll taxes for your business.
Typically, this service is offered at little or no cost. This is because the payroll provider will impound the tax due at the time paychecks are issued, earning interest on the funds until the money needs to be handed over to the government.
Most services assume responsibility for penalties resulting from incorrect filing; however, your company may be liable for any interest charges.
Keep in mind that many companies will not calculate local or city payroll taxes. Make sure to inquire about this if it is a significant issue for you.
Filing electronically
With the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) your company banks by phone with the government, transferring funds electronically rather than relying on checks to keep your "account up to date. If your company paid more than $200,000 in taxes in any year since 1998, then you are required to pay taxes electronically through EFTPS within the following two years. If for example, your company paid over $200,000 in taxes in 1999, then by January 2001, you must pay taxes electronically.
Many payroll services do offer electronic tax payments as part of their package, but in truth, electronic filing is not as difficult as it first appears, and businesses can easily enroll and learn how to do it on their own.
For more information, call EFTPS Customer Service Unit at 1(800) 945-8400 or 1(800) 555-4477.
Relaying information
Each pay period, payroll data has to be "called in" to the service provider. This can be done via telephone, fax or computer.
The telephone is the traditional way of communicating information. The biggest problem is typically finding a mutually agreeable time for both people to be on the phone.
A fax machine eliminates scheduling conflicts and miscommunicated facts, but can bring up security risks concerning who receives the faxes and who will oversee the fax being sent.
Communicating payroll by modem is often the most efficient method, especially if you have a larger payroll.
Since 1998, several national payroll providers have offered payroll data transmission over the Internet. This simplifies payroll for many businesses, allowing them to download payroll information from any computer that is Internet accessible.
Pricing
The market for payroll is competitive and reflects local market conditions. The basic service costs between $0.80 and $2.00 per check, plus a base account fee. The amount of the base fee depends on the pay period, with the less frequent payroll periods costing more. Over a year, however, less frequent payroll periods will cost less to maintain.
Added services such as tax filing and direct deposit can cost between $4 and $9 per payroll period. With direct deposit, there is often a nominal transaction charge per check in addition to the base fee.
Furthermore, there can be fees for adding or dropping employees, adjusting employee information, or setting up your account. Fees can differ dramatically across services, so it is important to check them out before signing up for a service.
Since pricing for services is relatively negotiable, try to avoid multiple unnecessary charges by knowing which service features you are most interested in before choosing a payroll company. In general, watch out for providers that offer low base processing rates with expensive add-on features.
Questions to ask
Features
• What does your basic service include?
• How quickly can you re-run a payroll if there is a mistake?
• How long does the average client stay with you?
Tax filing
• If I use your tax filing service, do you cover the penalties and/or interest charges?
• Do you provide filing assistance for local taxes?
• What is the cost to file taxes for multiple states?
Charges
• What is the cost for your service for one year, including year-end W-2 forms?
• How long are these rates in effect? What rate increase should I expect after that?
• If there are payroll data mistakes, how long will it take to reconcile the errors and what will it cost?
Questions for references
• How responsive is the provider to your questions?
• Have you had any problems with accuracy?
• Have you used another payroll service? If so, why did you switch?
Buying tips
Look for a stable provider
If a firm's only business is payroll, make sure to check the number of clients it supports. To ensure stability, a payroll service should ideally maintain at least several hundred clients.
Double-check the math when switching
Transitioning to a new payroll firm rarely occurs without glitches. Be especially thorough in reviewing the first paychecks issued through the service as well as the money paid to cover tax obligations.
Watch prices over time
Do not be swayed by services that waive charges upon sign-up. Often rates go up or charges start accruing after six months to a year of service.
Payroll Service Buyer's GuideChoosing a Payroll CompanyThere are several key points to consider when choosing a payroll company. Talk to several payroll service providers and evaluate them on these criteria: Speed.What turnaround time do they offer? If there are mistakes in your payroll, how quickly can they be corrected and re-issued? Accuracy.You are still liable for paying your employees correctly, even if you outsource the payroll processing. Ease of use.Tracking and updating employee information should be easy and quick for maximum efficiency. Also important is customer service. Unlike some other business services, you will need to communicate regularly with your payroll company, so make sure they have qualified personnel available to work with you. Speak with customer service reps to verify that you will be able to get the help you need. Consider requesting references from current clients to gain a better sense of the provider's level of customer service. Finally, check that the company is bonded to ensure your company will not suffer from any potential financial mishandling. |