Each module costs an additional per-employee fee, so Rippling’s costs might add up too quickly for small businesses with tight budgets. As an accountant, you need payroll software that syncs with your clients’ existing accounting software, automates as many aspects of payroll as possible and simplifies tax season. You also need user-friendly payroll software that easily accommodates data from multiple clients while reducing the possibility of user error. Paycor has a feature rarely seen in payroll software; OnDemand Pay.

• To free up time for more important accounting tasks, look for payroll systems that thoroughly automate most, if not all, payroll processes.
• Having an all-in-one application eliminates duplicate data entry and always ensures that your general ledger reflects the most recent activity.
• However, customer service is often unresponsive and they wish the time keeping app were included in RUN by ADP’s plans.
• SurePayroll is a good choice for accountants who want to scale their business quickly and easily.
• This change initiates changes in tax withholdings, tax filings, payroll calculations, healthcare deductions and more, all without the manager having to lift a finger.
• If you operate in one of the 14 states in which Wave offers tax services, you will pay a higher base monthly rate to take advantage of these services.

Paychex also offers online courses and webinars for accountants who want to earn free continuing professional education credits. Payroll software for accountants allows CPAs to manage worker wage information, calculate amounts for employee compensation and withheld taxes, do payroll runs, generate reports and more. Many popular payroll software systems cater to both internal accountants and outsourced accounting firms. We looked for software that offered a variety of pricing options as well as discounts for accounting professionals.

What payroll tax filing forms do I need to submit for my business?

Terms, conditions, pricing, special features, and service and support options subject to change without notice. Lauren (Hansen) Holznienkemper is a staff writer and deputy editor for the small business vertical at Forbes Advisor, specializing in reviewing and testing HR, payroll and recruiting solutions for small businesses. Using research and writing skills from her academic background, Lauren prioritizes accuracy and delivering the best answer to the audience. She has over 13 years of writing and editing experience, including 2.5 years producing content about HR software and HR-related topics. A PEO payroll service is a co-employer that manages your employee data and other core HR activities for your company, including payroll.

You might need to opt for paid add-ons to ensure you have all the “must have” features in your payroll service. If you can squeeze some “good to have” features as well, do so but don’t overextend yourself. Wave Payroll earns four out of five stars on Capterra with 61 reviews and 4.1 out of five stars on G2 with 31 user ratings.

What Is the Benefit of Working With a Dedicated Payroll Specialist?

Payroll software can be expensive, so you’ll want to find software that fits within your budget. Many payroll software providers offer discounts for accounting professionals, so be sure to ask about any available discounts. Paycor is a good choice for accountants who have clients with employees that need immediate access to money earned. Accountants who work with firms with large-scale payroll requirements should choose Paychex Flex. Paychex Flex offers a unique feature with its payroll solution called Paychex Pre-Check.

She also served as an internal coach to the executive leadership team through significant growth and high-stress situations. Prior to SkOUT, Lisa worked in various human resources leadership roles where she improved workplace culture, coached and mentored staff, and implemented innovative cost-saving human resources strategies and programs. She is certified by both the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) and the bookkeeping and payroll services Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). Key Paycor features include its payroll processing tools, tax compliance services, mobile wallet (complete with a self-serve mobile portal) and expense tracking and reimbursement tools. In addition, if you own a seasonal business and only need payroll software during parts of the year, you can deactivate your subscription for off-seasons and avoid paying Wave during that time.

Get payroll software that works for your business

Users mostly mention Gusto’s easy-to-use interface, which we can attest to, given our hands-on experience with its payroll process and its excellent customer service. When I asked a customer service representative about this, they said that this simply shows that the vacation time is already included in the payroll run. Yet, at other times, when clicking on the time-off icon next to an employee’s name, the system would show “Approve & Include.” Then it was easy to click that button and get rid of the warning.

• If you know how to do payroll, you’ll want a payroll application that processes payroll with minimal work.
• Also, time off data doesn’t necessarily sync with payroll or an employee’s time off information in their profile.
• SurePayroll makes it easy for accountants to scale their businesses thanks to a white-label option with a payroll solution requiring no upfront investment.
• Employers—or your accountant, bookkeeper or HR employee—set up benefits and salaries for employees and, on some platforms, contractors.
• To help you decide, Forbes Advisor did the research to find the best payroll software for accountants.