Payroll Software

In an industry of fast paced technology intensive business, payroll software is virtually a must have. It enables a business to run more streamlined payroll with a less labor intensive payroll department. The amount of time and energy saved through payroll software programs is invaluable even after taking into account the training required for properly using the software and keeping employees up to date and informed on all the latest tax rules and other applicable laws. There are countless strategies, ‘how-to’s and other various articles on what to look for and how to compare payroll software programs. This article will give specific examples of a few payroll software programs and a brief overview of their usability in terms for easy comparison. Here are a few software payroll programs:

WinFiler

Both WinFiler and Winfiler Plus are offered by GreatLand Corporation which has been around since the mid 70s. WinFiler supports up to 24 different federal forms with WinFiler Plus adding 9 to that number. Both can be installed for single PC usage or through a network.

The setup for Winfiler programs is entirely built around the Microsoft Windows format. Though the program comes with a PDF file as a manual there are no hyperlinks, which is unfortunate. However there is an online guide which can help much more effectively.

WinFiler is at its best when printing out reports and forms and as such does not have any export capability. The WinFiler program and its brother, WinFiler Plus, are both simple to install and easy to use programs for quick entry and form printing.

PayCycle

PayCycle’s Accountant Wholesale Service is a great easy to use online self service payroll software program. It charges a set monthly fee of $14.99 for the first five clients and $9.99 for each additional client. There are virtually no additional fees involved and this program is fairly extensive in what it is able to cover. Tax payments and filings in all 50 states (including the District of Columbia), electronic tax payments in 19 states with just one click, and even customized marketing materials.

Throughout the program everything is hyperlinked for easy access to every other part. Customer support is very on point with phone response claimed within 3 rings and email response just as quickly.

This is certainly not the cheapest program available. It does however offer all the resources you will need for payroll in a very user friendly interface and no additional fees for such things as mid pay cycle check issuing.

Payroll

Red Wing Payroll is a standalone product based on Microsoft Windows designed with the small to mid-size businesses in mind. With other available Red Wing accounting goods Payroll can integrate very seamlessly.

Payroll is a very flexible program including the ability to copy certain groups of information which can make quick work of certain repetitive tasks. This software program also comes with a physical Payroll User Guide in the form of a thick spiral bound notebook along with a thinner Supplement. There are a decent amount of predefined reports available through this program though there are a few missing that should not be such as a vacation report (though this can be accessed through employee setup).

Reports with this program can be exported through HTML, MS-DOS, Excel, and RTF formats. This is a fairly easy to use program that is well-documented and best suited for the needs of small and mid-sized companies.

The next generation

TNG is from the Universal Business Computing Company (UBCC). This is a very portable and interface-able program as it is compatible with over 600 available platforms such as Unix, Linux, Microsoft Windows and a considerable variety of mainframes and minicomputers.

TNG has a special data file structure known as “indexed sequential access method” or ISAM unlike Oracle or Access which allows for instantaneous accessing of files regardless of the file size. It also does not use batch processing which translates to data being online instantly. TNG is fast. There are 3 separate modes: Graphical Expert Mode, a Windows-like mode, and a DOS style mode. Though the CD that comes with the program and containing all the help files is not organized in an easy to use manual, there are help files in the program itself via drop down menus.

There is definitely going to be a learning curve as this is a very comprehensive program, but this is a program that certainly will be valuable not only in flexibility but also in the fact that it integrates very effectively with other accounting functions.

This comparison review should give you a little further insight into how some of the payroll software programs work in contrast to one another. Whether you specifically are interested in one of these programs or are using this information when you are shopping for others, this information will put you closer to the knowledge of the industry that can prove invaluable.

Payroll software programs enable a business to run smoother and with less labor and therefore choosing the right one is essential.

The payroll software industry is varied and expansive. With a seemingly endless supply of vendors and programs it can often seem overwhelming. There is certainly no shortage of strategies for what to look for when shopping and other helpful articles. This one, however, will take a look at a few of some of the payroll software programs available and what features they have to offer.

ATF payroll

ATF (standing for ‘after the fact’) is the payroll aspect of Advanced Micro Solutions family of products also offering W2/1099 Form Filer, Magnetic Media Filing, Laser Generation,

The installation of this program is very simple and the price is comparably low and allows for multiple installations, either through actual PCs or through a network.

Though this program’s interface might leave something to be desired in the way of being pretty, it is a great deal for the price. It is also technically effective. For larger payrolls there are certainly other programs which might be better suited. However for small to medium jobs this program is an excellent choice for the price.

Abra Payroll

Abra has been around for over 20 years. It is one aspect of Best Software’s suite and regarded as its most comprehensive Payroll Software. There is also Abra HR, Abra Training, Abra Recruiting Solution, Abra Attendance, Abra Benefits Enrollment, and Abra ESS.

The program comes on a CD and a user’s guide. Under Sample Data you are allowed to play with the options of the program without any effects. The help menus are very extensive and technical, almost too technical. It has a nice audit capability.

One stand out trait of Abra Payroll is that it includes both federal and state reporting. This is a program best suited for smaller and mid size companies.

CPA Payroll

CPA Payroll is bundled with a larger program, CPA Accounting Manager suite by Best Software. For installation there is a 15 minute demo video available for you to download and watch. The tutorial covers the most frequently used options through the guise of a sample client.

There is a 6 step process for getting started:

1. client setup
2. fiscal periods
3. payroll options
4. chart setup
5. checking account
6. payroll setup.

Payroll setup gives 7 defining available options. One odd aspect of this program is its inability to recognize the ‘alt/tab’ toggle button to switch between programs without the use of the mouse. One nice aspect of it is that you have the option to leave with clients a limited version of the program in order that they can enter time and print checks. This program allows for the conversion of up to 10 different packages for importing outside software information.

While there are many available options for correcting inaccurate information from clients regarding payroll, this program is best suited for single pay periods with either salaried or hourly pay types.

PRS Payroll solutions

This is actually one payroll software program of the two that Creative Solutions has to offer. The other, which is PCS (Payroll Compliance Solutions), is for after the fact processing of payroll and handles also several of the federal employment tax forms.

The installation of this program is not complicated at all. Licenses are distributed electronically when you purchase the package. It comes with a smaller guide to get you started as well as a larger tutorial manual. There is an electronic tutorial with integrated slides and narration and also a specific payroll tutorial in the help tab. It also has sample clients to offer realistic scenarios with which to become accustomed to the software. You can even use the samples as models for creating real accounts with real clients sharing similar characteristics.

Payroll Solutions has not only a broad range of features, but also flexibility. It might be a good idea to issue training for this program to fully take advantage of the considerable scope of the capabilities offered. It has the ability to handle very complex payroll scenarios with some additional sub-programs such as employee web reporting, direct deposit, and electronic filing which are available for an extra fee.

Though this is obviously not a comprehensive review of even a fraction of available payroll software programs available on the market today, it is a review of some of the more popular programs in the industry. Hopefully this review will help on the path to choosing a payroll software program that is right for your company. This should not serve as a substitute for a demo of the product as hands on experience with the program you are considering using is always the best way to decide if it is appropriate for your needs.

Before deciding on which payroll software to take read this review and get a better picture of what you are buying and which features are available.

In the current business market of payroll software, the question is not whether or not a company needs it, but what type they need. There is no question that payroll software fulfills an important function in the business world streamlining many complicated and integral tasks thereby dramatically decreasing the workload on the payroll or human resources department.

The payroll services world can be broken up into two main categories; purchase of a software license for installation and use on the company’s main server, or online payroll services (online utilization of resources is sometimes now referred to as the cloud). The question when dealing with payroll services software is should you purchase the software or should you utilize an online payroll services software. Here is a brief look at some of the benefits of using online payroll services software.

The main benefit to not purchasing a software program outright and simply using their services via an online format is that the bulk expense of purchase is deferred. This can be extremely beneficial to company for quite a few reasons:

Start ups

Smaller companies that have just entered a particular field are often going to be quite pressured to perform well financially and to overlook no opportunity with which to save money. This is true in general for any company looking to perform well but especially true for start-ups as there has not been an established history of profits and the owners are usually in the red considerably in the beginning.

By deferring what can sometimes be a considerable lump sum payment for the purchase of a payroll software program a smaller company can get the premium payroll software at a discounted monthly or quarterly rate. This can allow less debt to be taken on initially which will obviously lower the financial strain on the company. As the company grows financially it will then have the option to either purchase or continue to use in an online manner the payroll software. But by initially taking advantage of the online option the company will not be limited by budgetary concerns.

Budget

Some companies whether start up or long established, simply do not have a flexible enough budget to accommodate the purchase of a new payroll software program. Rather than run an outdated program or even worse, to have no payroll software at all, the online option allows companies with tight budgets to meet the current needs even if the money is not entirely there to date.

Obsoletion

Even with the purchase of a software program, a company will face the yearly, if not quarterly, upgrade requirements. Often the purchase of a program is only good for one year with upgrades. After you will no longer have access to the latest updates that payroll software provider has to offer. While in some industries having slightly outdated payroll software might not hurt as much, in others this might be a very big deal. With the online option of ‘leasing’ the software, you can be sure to always have the most up to date version of your payroll software available.

The online payroll software option can work in a variety of different ways. For every software provider there might be a slightly different way in which they offer the online services. With every company trying to provide software that is unique in one form or fashion to differentiate and thereby show value, this is not a surprising scenario. But these programs will all have certain similarities. They do, after all, have to perform some certain basic payroll functions.

Most companies will have set up an account for the client to sign into which allows them access to the software. This account will then have all of that client company’s specific information for paying its employees, handling payroll taxes, W2 forms, direct deposits, and so on. Usually the online version will handle most every, if not all, options the purchase version is able to.

Because the software program runs on the provider company’s servers, there is obviously no need for installation. This can save on IT costs through installation and maintenance of the network. If anything goes wrong it will be the provider company that will have to fix the network. Additionally, the learning curve might be somewhat lessened.

The nice thing with using software on a lease type basis is that if for any reason your company decides to stop using that program, you can simply go another direction. You have not invested as much in purchasing the full program and it is not running on your servers in your company’s system. You will obviously still need to procure another program to fulfill the payroll duties so until you have a replacement you should not abandon ship. You should be able to retain your company’s private information however and today integration between two payroll software programs is almost a given so it should not be hard to import that information into the new payroll software.

This is simply a brief overview of some of the benefits of using online payroll software. There can be a far lengthier and nuanced discussion of the pros and cons but this should provide a general platform from which to take that first step.

Payroll software is a need for every successful company since it fulfills an essential function in the business world, solves many tasks and decreases the workload.