Payroll Service, Changing Providers. Chapter Two. What Should you Look for in a New Provider?
The decision to change payroll providers is not one that you should be making lightly, but if you find yourself at the end of your current contract with a provider, it may be time to start looking for another one. That’s ok! You can go online and search for providers in your field, or talk to people in the same field who have switched before and find out what they liked and disliked about their old provider.
One of the first things that you want to ask any prospective provider is what they charge — while this may seem like a simple question, there are some providers who will quote a low yearly fee which hides all kinds of extra charges once you sign up with them. Be sure to ask about all of these extra charges before you sign up, when it’s easier to back out.
You also want to get a sense for the kinds of services that you will get for your money. Make sure that your provider’s payroll service includes an automatic tax calculation and filing, as well as an online access point for employees to see their pay stubs, or at least some kind of easy way to give them access. You should also be able track deductions in real time and view employee earnings on a monthly basis. If you work with a lot of independent contractors or other workers who are not registered as employees, you may need look into some other kind of service.
Other services that you should take a close look at are the provider’s customer service. If you have to call them or email them frequently, it may be a sign that they are not responsive to your business needs. You want a provider who is willing to take the time to consult with you, answer your questions and address your concerns — but you also want someone who will be able to field common problems quickly and accurately.
One other thing that you should factor into your choice is a provider’s flexibility in terms of how much money you deposit on a regular basis. If your business does not run on a regular schedule, it can be difficult for some providers to accommodate this kind of variation.
And finally, you want to make sure that you are not paying more for service than most of your customers. If the provider is advertising a low or inexpensive rate for small businesses, but charges tens of thousands of dollars or more for larger businesses, ask yourself why. You may be signing up for a good deal but have no way to compare it with other providers who cater to larger companies.
As your business grows and changes, you should also ask your prospective payroll provider about their regular service fees and what they will charge if you do cancel your contract early. Some providers can charge a fee so large that it actually costs more to cancel than it would have simply to make the payment in full. This may not be a problem for your business once you reach the point where you likely will be paying them forever, but it's something to keep in mind as you research your options.
Changing payroll providers is easier than most people think, and if you do it right, they may wind up offering you better service at a lower price than your current provider. Your new provider should be able to point out any pitfalls and unravel potential complications for you — and if they are not able to help, consider moving on until someone is willing. Payroll Service Changing Providers | Chapter 1 www.elliott-partners.com
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To many of our visitors, Elliott Partners is known as the "Bible of Payroll Service Providers". If you need to find a reliable payroll service provider, then go to our website for free quotes from many different providers who are a member of the International Payroll Association (IPA) . Or check our "Recommended Providers" page .
In addition to being members of IPA , these companies are all known for their integrity and provide excellent service. The top three recommended payroll service providers by Elliott Partners are: Adams Payroll , Paychex, and ADP. Each provides excellent services at reasonable prices. We work with each of these companies and we are happy to recommend them to you. If you do decide to use one of these companies, please let us know! We will also provide you with a number of other payroll service options that may fit your needs better. Elliott Partners can assist in the choice of your payroll service provider, review your current payroll system and help with any pay periods that appear confusing. If you need help finding a reliable payroll service provider or want to discuss any issues that have arisen in the past, contact Jeff Elliott at (410) 727-7000
The Elliott Partners Group has been providing accounting, human resource and payroll management services since 1997. We're committed to finding new ways to accommodate the needs of our clients. Our belief is that a given accounting problem or business need has several possible solutions. We study the situation and recommend the best course of action. We're proud to have many clients that have been with us for years. We're equally proud of those who are just discovering our firm.
Posted by Jeff Elliott, CPA at 7:15 AM No comments:
Payroll service providers typically charge either a flat fee per employee or an hourly fee for their services. If your company has a large number of employees, you may want to find out how much it will cost to use an hourly based provider before you sign up with one in order to ensure that you are getting the most for your money.
Be sure to ask about all of these extra charges before you sign up, when it’s easier to back out.
You also want to get a sense for the kinds of services that you will get for your money. Make sure that your provider’s payroll service includes an automatic tax calculation and filing, as well as an online access point for employees to see their pay stubs, or at least some kind of easy way to give them access. You should also be able track deductions in real time and view employee earnings on a monthly basis. If you work with a lot of independent contractors or other workers who are not registered as employees, you may need look into some other kind of service.
You may also want to look into some of the other services that your payroll provider can provide. Some companies will be able to handle business tax planning as well, while others will only be able to handle basic payroll. Just remember that if you’re looking for a good overall payroll service provider you should probably be looking for one who offers more than just a hiring agency.
You also want to make sure that whatever business tax preparation and reporting services you get from your payroll provider will help you avoid paying penalties or fines in the future. A top quality payroll company should specify exactly what is covered by their service and what is not, but even then you need to make sure that it covers everything before signing a contract with them.
Conclusion
With over 200 payroll service providers to choose from, you probably want to make sure that you are finding the best one for your business. Remember to shop around and find a provider that is right for you. Local Taxes at Payroll Service Providers | Chapter 1 www.elliott-partners.com[/ARTICLE END]
A payroll service provider is not someone who keeps your employees' paychecks and handles the payroll tax deduction process. Payroll Service Providers in the United States | Chapter 1 www.elliott-partners.com[/ARTICLE END]
To many of our visitors, Elliott Partners is known as the "Bible of Payroll Service Providers".