Salaries and wages represent significant expenses on your profit and loss statement. Errors can lead to substantial financial losses, so it’s crucial to use a payroll solution tailored to your specific needs. How reliable is the solution that you are currently using? Is it really helping your business to meet its requirements?

As business operations continue to evolve, payroll solutions must provide accuracy, efficiency and reliability. They also need to adapt with you as your business changes.

Joanna Cruickshank, national sales manager at cloud-based payroll solution CloudPayroll, says it’s important to regularly review and evaluate payroll solutions to ensure that the one you’re using meets your business needs.

“Cloud-based options bring enormous benefits to any business in terms of efficiency, reliability and ease of the payroll function,” says Cruickshank. “The key is knowing what your business needs and asking the right questions when you are looking at providers.”

Focus on the future

What questions should you ask a payroll provider to determine if the solution meets your business needs?

Cruickshank says questions could include whether the solution will integrate seamlessly with other business systems, such as your accounting and HR software, to streamline overall business processes. Does it provide HR document control, such as the ability to upload and securely store employee documents?

Other important factors include understanding how the onboarding process works, what help desk support is provided and how much it costs.

“When you are considering a new provider, ask about a free trial or personalised demonstration,” she advises. “Your provider should also anticipate future growth. How many employees can you have active in the solution?”

Making the switch

Changing payroll solutions can be complicated, so choosing a payroll provider that takes care of the transition – and provides training and ongoing support – can make the switch smooth and efficient.

“Some providers leave everything to you, which can be tricky,” says Cruickshank. “When you are considering moving to another payroll provider, choose one that offers a full implementation set-up.

“Our experienced team will set up all employees and run a parallel pay run, to ensure all information is accurately transferred. We then train the payroll team and add opening leave balances just prior to the first pay run. Your business’s regular payroll operations continue as usual, with no disruptions.

“It takes the headache out of what otherwise could be a complicated process. Payroll is a critical business function, so it’s vital that you get it right.”

Find out more:

CloudPayroll has partnered with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand as part of the CA ANZ Member Benefits Program. For details, go to cloudpayroll.com.au/ca-anz