Payroll continues to be one area of business that some companies cannot seem to bring into the 21st century. Believe it or not, there are still employers that pay their workers with cash or paper checks. There are others still relying on hand-written time cards or clocks and punch cards. It is unfortunate in light of the many online payroll services offering state-of-the-art solutions to modern business.
BenefitMall is a Dallas-based company offering those solutions. From full-service payroll to specialized options for restaurants and construction companies, BenefitMall has a payroll solution for just about every company. They also have plenty of good advice. Below are some helpful tips for bringing small business payroll into the 21st century:
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1. Upgrade Processes
The first step in bringing payroll in the 21st century is upgrading processes. It should be obvious that the old ways of keeping track of time and attendance are prone to both errors and outright deception, so a company still using hand-written time sheets or punch cards should be transitioning to modern methods of time and attendance tracking. A modern, digital solution solves most of the problems associated with legacy systems.
In addition to time and attendance, small businesses should be upgrading the software they use. Whether it is a locally hosted package or an online, cloud-based solution, it is not possible to bring payroll in the 21st century without embracing modern software.
2. Automate Processes
Automation is one of the most important aspects of modern payroll. By automating certain routine tasks, payroll providers increase efficiency and decrease the volume of potential errors. Time and attendance is once again a fitting example of what we are talking about.
A digital time and attendance solution keeps track of employees punching in and out with the use of a digital clock and ID cards. Whenever an employee clocks in or out, data is immediately transmitted to company computers and stored in a database. At the end of the pay period, software automatically calculates the number of hours. It also multiplies that number by the employee’s pay rate to determine gross pay.
3. Simplify Processes
BenefitMall says that one of the reasons online payroll is so popular is because it is also simple. For far too long, payroll has been a monster of complexity that frightens even the most confident payroll professionals. Modern technology has changed that. Software with advanced capabilities handles all the complex issues of payroll so that employs only need to enter a limited amount of data to get it right. Online payroll simplifies the process for greater efficiency and accuracy.
4. Embrace Flexibility
A successful business in the 21st century is a flexible business that does not limit itself to doing things the way previous generations did them. This includes payroll. Companies need to be open-minded and willing to try new things if they expect their payroll departments to leave the past behind.
5. Consider Outsourcing
Lastly, bringing in-house payroll into the 21st century sometimes means outsourcing. The best thing about outsourcing is that small businesses are not limited in the choices they have. BenefitMall is a good example. They offer a variety of payroll solutions, some of which are full-service. Clients can keep some tasks in-house or leave everything to BenefitMall.
Everything is changing in the modern era, including payroll. If your company is still struggling under the ball and chain of the past, it is time for you to break loose and bring payroll into the 21st century. It’s time to start thinking about upgrading, automating, simplifying, embracing flexibility, and outsourcing.