Best Payroll Management Software for Busy Entrepreneurs
Marketers do something really well. Promise the moon.
This is true for messaging you see on payroll software. But don’t be quick to take their word for it.
We want to empower you as a business consumer. And our guide will make your final selection that much easier.
Keep reading to see how these tools benefit your small to mid sized business.
How to Determine the Best Payroll Software
Before you invest a cent, step one is finding the best payroll management software.
Normally this takes hours of research. But we’ll make it easy on you.
We’ve done the comparisons and have found the top solutions. Before sharing them, let’s look at selection criteria relevant to your business.
Considerations:
- Reporting capabilities
- Compliance with current legislation
- Complete features stack
- Meets your established budget
- Reviews from similar businesses
Mobile access is a nice feature, but reporting is a more important variable than this and other “frills.” The reason is that analysis of accurate reports reinforces your overall business vision.
Helpful documents:
- W-2 summary
- Deductions and contributions
- Payroll summary
- Wage and tax summary
Ease of use is another determining factor.
Software developers shouldn’t be the only ones who can figure out how to use a product. Look for a simple and clear user experience.
Online videos can provide this picture for you. If you will get frustrated trying to print a report for example, maybe try a less stressful option.
Although many market themselves as do-it-yourself, a professional
accountant can wield this tool most effectively.
Limitations of Popular Payroll Software
Any tool can be used incorrectly. In the case of a home improvement project, this can hurt the structural integrity over time.
This is no less true for your payroll needs.
Possible outcomes of misuse:
- Going over budget to clean up a mess
- Non-compliance with state regulations
- Making decisions with inaccurate data
Let’s move away from payroll for one second.
When a restaurant redesigns their kitchen, many steps are involved. Say a step is missed early on. Backtracking can be tough because the gap isn’t always easy to identify.
Back to our topic.
If you’re staring at an inaccurate payroll report, you may be at a loss on where you went wrong. It could be because of a gap in your process.
But the more likely cause is an incorrect use of certain features.
We’ll illustrate this point with well known payroll software.
Quickbooks can help with certain aspects of bookkeeping, but its payroll processing could improve. In our humble opinion.
Now, it’s time to move you closer to investing in a time-saving payroll solution.
Straightforward Payroll Accounting Software for Small Business
Review sites are good. Sometimes.
But there may be inherent biases for their “best of the best” lists. However, the assessment from
payroll service professionals carries more authority.
Because we are in there weekly. Learning the good, the bad, and the downright frustrating. So you don’t have to.
Which brings us to one of our personal favorites in terms of payroll software. ADP Run to be exact.
There’s a second product we are proficient in, but let’s focus on ADP for now.
Perks:
- Scalability matches your growth
- Stellar features on basic plans
- Key add ons to aid HR
Whether you add staff or downsize, they have additional choices for meeting your demands. Roll by ADP fits businesses with 10 or fewer employees. While their Workforce Now accommodates 50 or more staff members.
Pricing also adjusts accordingly. Giving you the best value for your expenditure.
Secondly, Run boasts a nice package of features with their most affordable plan. We won’t bore you with an extensive list, but instead offer a sample.
Examples:
- Tax filing services
- New hire onboarding
- Multiple ways to pay employees
- Mobile or desktop management
Lastly, as you experience greater profitability, you can expand into insurance benefits and retirement services. Centralizing HR tasks within the platform.
And if you’re like many solopreneurs, you may be the HR department initially. Know that it also helps you pay freelancers and other independent contractors.
Benefits of Payroll Software for Restaurants
We often like to use the example of restaurants because they operate in a fast-paced and highly competitive industry. It’s a great case study in software’s effectiveness, or lack thereof.
If your product isn’t food, picture your specific business. Consider how your own needs match up with that of an eatery as we go.
Reasons to adopt payroll software:
- Time savings
- Fewer errors
- Easy customization
Beyond automating recurring tasks, the right tool also helps with employee retention. Consistently prompt payment in their checking account strengthens the business relationship!
Now for you as the business owner. Less time at the office means more free time doing what you love. Plus confidence that your workers are receiving their due.
Manual data entry leaves room for mistakes. Reducing these gives accountants more reliable information. And after double-checking the numbers, their insights guide your decisions.
Internal safeguards within the tool itself can also ensure compliance with tax laws. Decreasing the chance of an IRS visit. Or audit.
Finally, software that is cloud-based allows yourself or cleared employees to make necessary changes. Even from the comfort of their couch.
By now, you should have a bit more direction on selecting the ideal payroll software. But maybe when it comes to the “doing,” you’d prefer to hand it off.
We’ll provide that opportunity below.
Blue Slate Accounting Payroll Service Solutions
Something is missing from payroll services for small businesses. A human approach.
Pittsburgh, PA is our home, but we’ve worked with small to mid sized businesses across this great nation.
Aiding their pursuit of a financially healthy venture.
With a highly personal approach, you enjoy extra peace of mind that your concerns were heard. That’s a guarantee.
We don’t offer this service as a standalone. But current clients can bundle it into their overall accounting package.
Expect the following from your personal Blue Slate Accounting team member:
- Data entry
- Tax filings and reporting
- 1099 preparation
- Time tracking and payroll integration
- Payroll processing
Tailored to your specific needs, we’ll help you choose between two payroll software platforms.
Both have proven themselves across many industries.
Outsource your payroll solutions today. And
take the first step towards profitability and contentment in your business!









