Online Payroll 101: Why It's Time to Take Another Look

While the idea of adding payroll as a service offering may make some accountants shudder, it’s time to take another look at the current state of payroll solutions for accountants. Online payroll for accounting professionals has never been so easy, and it might just be worth taking another look. We’re here to dispel some of the rumors floating around and shine some light on the current state of online payroll services.

Here are some reasons why you should think about partnering with an online payroll provider like SurePayroll:

Come as You Are

Since payroll has shifted to digital, the process has simplified drastically. Gone are the days of sweating over spreadsheets and worrying about tax deductions. You don’t need any additional certifications to be able to offer the service, and training is minimal. Offering payroll through a partner service like SurePayroll doesn’t require accountants to tackle another set of educational requirements or hire additional staff to manage. We do all the heavy lifting on our end, and you can control your client’s payroll with just a few clicks every pay-cycle. We’ve done all the hard work, and you can take all the credit!

Increase Your Bottom Line with no Capital Investment

Working with a seasoned payroll provider removes the need for upfront capital, as you can easily utilize already established software to run your service. This means you don’t have to crunch the numbers on your end to start gathering additional income. Partnering with an online payroll provider shows that you’re thinking about your client’s needs and also has the potential to increase your bottom line.

Keep You and Your Clients Safe

In today’s digital age, keeping information safe online is sometimes easier said than done. When using an online payroll provider like SurePayroll, security risks are almost non-existent because we put the needs of our customers, and therefore your clients, first. When dealing with an area as sensitive as payroll, you will want to know who has your back to protect you, and your client, from any fraud. Also, using a platform with a secure online portal is already much safer than using old fashioned methods of paper or email transactions because those paper trails can sometimes get lost. Selecting the right payroll provider, in the beginning, can save you a lot of trouble later on. When looking for a payroll provider, look for companies that offer a national reputation for excellence and integrity, and have a long history of quality service and ethical business relationships.

Match Your Current Style

These days, payroll software can often be customized to match your existing branding, which means no one has to know that you’re using a third-party service! While using a third-party doesn’t necessarily detract from an accounting firm’s offerings, customizing a platform to a firm’s existing branding can reinforce the connection between client and accountant.

Customer Support – Because Even the Experts Need Experts

Even experienced accountants sometimes run into a topic they’re just not prepared for, and usually at the worst time imaginable. You should never have to sit on hold for hours just to get a quick question answered. With SurePayroll, you will rarely experience situations like this. In 2019, SurePayroll won our 11^th straight Stevie Award for Customer Service for our outstanding U.S.-based customer service team. Most of our calls are answered within 20 seconds, which means you can get back to running your business quickly. Because accounting life can be unpredictable, we also offer evening and weekend customer service hours. Last but not least, for the times you don’t want to pick up the phone, you can always access our chat button located throughout our website to get your questions answered.  

Ensuring Compliance and Accuracy

Running your payroll through a payroll provider helps you stay in compliance. Considering all you and your small business clients have on your minds, it’s hard to stay on top of constantly changing tax laws. Letting an online payroll provider assist with your client’s tax filings adds another layer of security and accuracy that could save them from a costly mistake. SurePayroll knows that even the smallest violation could be an expense a small business isn’t prepared for, and therefore offers a tax filing guarantee – if your client receives a notice from the IRS or any other tax agency based on a filing that SurePayroll made on their behalf, SurePayroll will work with the agency to resolve the issue. If we’re at fault, we’ll pay all associated penalties and fines.

Stand Out from the Crowd

The payroll market is virtually untapped. A recent survey showed that nearly 43% of accounting firms say that their clients need assistance with payroll, but nearly 9/10 accountants stated that they had little to no interest in providing payroll as a service. These numbers mean less competition for you: you’ll be one of the much-needed providers of a service that everyone needs!

Bottom Line

Rising above the competition means getting ahead of the curve. The days of painful payroll processing are in the past, and it’s worth taking another look at the benefits of offering payroll services in addition to your existing accounting services. By partnering with an online payroll provider like SurePayroll, you can offer your clients a service they need and want, secure your position as a trusted advisor, all while increasing your bottom line.

If you’re ready to make this change, check out the benefits of SurePayroll’s Reseller Program and schedule a demo to find out more.