Finding a payroll system that will grow with your business
When choosing the right payroll system, the size of your business makes all the difference. How can you find one that fits? Brought to you by CloudPayroll.
Selecting the right payroll software is crucial for businesses of all sizes. Small businesses often need simplicity and affordability, while larger firms may require a range of features to support their payroll process.
Joanna Cruickshank, national sales manager at CloudPayroll, says the needs of small business can differ a lot due to the complexity and scale of operations. Payroll needs to be individually evaluated to ensure the correct software is used.
“Smaller businesses generally look for payroll software that simplifies processes such as superannuation payments, leave management, time tracking and employee record keeping, without unnecessary and complex features.
“Having a clear picture of what your business needs is very important.”
Larger organisations require software with advanced capabilities, with detailed reporting, the ability to record cost centres, and to seamlessly integrate with HR and accounting systems.
Check the basics
Some of the easiest details to overlook on insurance policies are sometimes the most important. Basic details like your name, your business name and address can be easy to skim over, but if incorrect it can cause unnecessary hassle at claim time. Some things to check include whether all entities are shown, if the spelling is correct and whether the details are shown in full.
Look for scalability
As companies expand, their payroll needs may become more complex. “Choosing software that ensures scalability and compliance is key to maintaining efficiency,” says Cruickshank.
“For example, we have many customers with seasonal businesses such as fruit picking or providing staff for festivals, who need to adjust their workforce size based on their demand. These businesses need solutions that allow them to easily scale their workforce up or down,” she says.
For larger businesses with dedicated payroll departments, the chosen software should offer advanced features such as group reporting, multiple user access and seamless integration with other systems.
Making sure help is at hand
Having access to training and immediate support by phone is also an important consideration.
“For small businesses, it’s often the owner handling payroll which can be stressful – especially if they lack payroll experience,” says Cruickshank.
“Delays in paying employees can lead to frustration and absenteeism. That’s why having immediate phone support to resolve issues is crucial. Many other payroll solutions rely on ticketing systems or require navigating through help articles which can be time-consuming and frustrating,” she explains.
Record management
Regardless of business size, record keeping is essential.
“Smaller businesses often face challenges with record keeping, so having accurate records that can be easily retrieved is essential. With CloudPayroll, you can securely and conveniently upload, store and access HR documents,” says Cruickshank.
Leave management is another key consideration. Without an easy-to-use system, businesses may risk overpaying due to poor record keeping.
“CloudPayroll simplifies this process by allowing employees to apply for leave, managers to approve it and everything to be automatically recorded in the appropriate pay run, reducing the chance of errors,” she says.
