Bookkeeping for Small Businesses Cleveland

6 Tips for Selecting a Payroll Provider for Your Small Business

Written by Kathy Dise | Jan 3, 2014 4:11:00 PM

When engaging in small business bookkeeping, having a payroll administrator is worth every penny compared to doing it yourself. Payroll providers come in all shapes and sizes: National providers like Paychex, small accounting offices or QuickBooks.

1. Cost

Look for lower costs. BudgetEase works with every imaginable payroll provider. All of them make mistakes that are frustrating, so pick a provider with lower fees. Watch for hidden costs so you are comparing apples to apples. Request a fee schedule.

2. Worker’s Compensation

Consider if you want Worker’s Compensation processing included. Many payroll processors don’t include it or charge extra for this service. BudgetEase recommends that Worker’s Compensation be processed by your payroll company.

3. Ease of set-up

Set-up can be a huge hassle. All payroll processors are not equal in the set-up process. Obtain a written proposal that includes what they will do and what information you need to provide.   

4. Time Tracking System

Does the payroll provider have an easy to use, integrated Time Tracking System? Can employees easily report their time via computer or cell phone? Is the Time Tracking System easy to administer? Can you add customers and jobs easily? Is approving the payroll easy? Demo the system. Make sure you are comfortable manipulating screens and can generate the reports you need. Are there input rules you can control if needed?

5. Contacting your Payroll Administrator

Does a person answer the phone or do you need to negotiate an automated system? Will you have one contact person?

6. Response Time

How quickly do you get answers to your questions when you are investigating the payroll provider?

BudgetEase works with all of the payroll providers and can help you choose the right one for your company. Fininding the right payroll administrator is just one of the many bookkeeping problems that we can solve. 

Image Credit: File with Payroll Word by Stuart Miles via freedigitalphotos.net