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Payroll Management

Use your own staff and facilities

This option has its merits because payroll is always under your control. Your own staff know the business well and can be responsive to business needs. They often carry out more than one function within the organisation.

Smaller businesses can struggle with payroll if not comfortable with the disciplines of using computers for critical applications. Owners do not always have the inclination or motivation to set up their own system.

Approved Payroll can supply software, stationery, training and support.

But you may have concerns about:

• Confidentiality
• The level of payroll training required to keep up to date
• Coverage when staff are away sick or on holiday
• The cost and upkeep of computer software
• Your ability to move with the times

It is worth considering a specialised service.

Use a Payroll Service or Bureau

This can possibly be offered by an accountant but is most likely to come from a specialist service. There are both very large and very small firms offering this service. The Inland Revenue encourages the use of a Payroll Service because they tend to receive more accurate and timely information which corresponds to their Quality Standard.

The Approved Accounting Payroll Service is operated by an accountancy firm but specialises in helping small to medium sized organisations. We will happily operate a one man payroll or one up to about 200 employees.

The advantages of using a Payroll Service are many, including:

• All work is totally confidential
• Staff are fully trained at all times
• Staff are always available to cover for any periods of holiday and sickness
• Computer hardware and software should be continually updated and maintained
• Back up facilities must be maintained to ensure a continuous service
• All new developments are identified and implemented as a matter of course

Use Services offered by your Accountant

Chartered Accountants are normally best suited to giving business advice, dealing with the Annual Audit and Corporation Tax, their hourly charges reflect this expertise. The provision of a payroll service is not normally part of their core business.

It is worth considering a specialised service.