In a small business, payroll management often becomes a time-consuming and complex task. Business owners can face a daunting challenge when it comes to handling payroll, from calculating employee wages to ensuring compliance with tax laws. Without the right knowledge or tools, it can really slow down your workflow. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way.

How to Simplify Payroll

Streamline Payroll Preparation

An organized and centralized system for collecting and managing payroll data is key to simplifying payroll. Instead of sifting through piles of paperwork, use payroll software to input and store employee information efficiently. Payroll software can automate data entry and reduce the risk of human error. Moreover, digitizing your payroll service provides numerous benefits including:

• Simplify taxes
• Reduce work time on loading information
• Run calculations quickly
• Manage PTO more effectively
• Reminders for important payroll and tax dates

Streamline Pay Schedule

Stick to a regular pay schedule for your employees. Employees will be able to budget their money better and you will be able to track payroll expenses more easily. In addition to reducing administrative overhead, it provides predictability and simplifies budgeting. To do this, you’ll need to:

• Choose a frequency (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) that suits your business needs.
• Communicate the schedule clearly to employees and stick to it.

Stay Compliant with Regulations

Payroll regulations can be complex and ever-changing, so it’s important to stay up to date on the latest requirements. Staying on top of changes to regulation changes is half the battle. There are a couple of ways to do this:

• Use an outsourced payroll service to audit your procedure or provide updates to regulations.
• Stay informed about regulatory changes through government websites or newsletters.
• Consult with a legal or tax professional to ensure compliance.
• Conduct regular audits on payroll and benefits.
• Properly store and maintain records

Use Employee Self-service Portals

Employee self-service portals allow employees to view their pay stubs, make changes to their withholdings, and request time off online. Furthermore, onboarding new employees is made easy as you can have employees fill out forms and information on their own devices. Once they are done, employee information is automatically tracked when they start their shifts and can be easily compiled for running payroll. You give the power to your employees and simplify payroll. 

File Your Taxes Electronically

Filing your taxes electronically is the fastest and most efficient way to stay compliant with tax laws. E-filing is often faster not only when preparing taxes, but also when receiving refunds and reduced paperwork. E-filing software in connection with your payroll software can also help you spot and correct errors much quicker.

Use Direct Deposit for Your Business

One of the most important factors for your business and your employees is the usage of direct deposit. Direct deposit has become standard for most businesses as around 93% of Americans are paid with direct deposit. This is a secure method of paying your employees with the use of your bank, and payroll information can be automatically logged for you.

Employees receive:

• Access to faster funds
• No need to visit a bank
• Increased security
• Accurate documentation

Employers get:

• Enhanced security and confidentiality
• Reduced time from not having to hand out paper checks
• Easy scalability
• Reduced spending on paper checks
• Increased employee satisfaction
• Streamlined record-keeping
• Reduction in carbon footprint

Outsourcing Payroll

If you are really looking to simplify your payroll, then you must consider outsourcing. Outsourcing payroll duties to a third party can be both cost-effective and more efficient than doing it yourself. By outsourcing payroll, you and your HR team can save time. Outsourcing provides you with access to experienced payroll specialists who are up to date on new tax regulations and can provide helpful guidance.

Outsourcing has several different fee methods to choose from. These different fee methods allow for flexibility and pricing, even for small businesses.

Looking to Simplify Payroll by Outsourcing?

If you are looking to simplify payroll, 360Connect can help. We help customers every day find suppliers that can help with their payroll needs. Just fill out our 1–2-minute form on payroll and we’ll contact you to verify your information and needs. From there, you can relax as up to 5 suppliers will reach out to you and give you a quote on their product. This process is 100% free and takes just a couple of minutes!