AccountantsWorld — Payroll Relief

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From the Sept. 2008 Review of Professional Payroll Systems

Payroll Relief provides a completely web-based system for professionals providing payroll services to multiple clients. One of the hallmarks of the AccountantsWorld product suite is that both the professional and the client can be granted access depending upon the level of service the firm wishes to provide, enabling the professional to set up the system for data entry by the client on a firm-branded portal. Payroll Relief includes direct deposit and electronic filing and payment capabilities for payroll tax withholdings and third-party deductions. Pricing for Payroll Relief starts at $5.95 per client payroll run for up to 10 paychecks.

After that, the cost is $0.50 to $1 per additional check, based on volume. A fixed fee option is also available that reduces the processing fee to $0.50. Payroll Relief provides comprehensive computations for Federal and all 50 states along with electronic filing for virtually all states that support it.

Other programs in the AccountantsWorld product line include an integrated client accounting/professional write-up package, sales tax compliance, fixed asset management, after-the-fact payroll, document management, practice management, scheduling, website building tools and applications for 401(k) management and financial planning firms.

DATA ENTRY & KEY FEATURES – 5 Stars
As with the other web-based products offered by AccountantsWorld, professionals access Payroll Relief after logging into their firm’s secure portal. This brings up the customized desktop that includes access to the programs for which the firm subscribes, along with sections for announcements, financial news, client management, messages, website management and e-mail. Payroll Relief opens within a new window and by default displays a spreadsheet-style master client list that offers multiple searching and sorting options, while displaying information on payroll status, period and processing dates, and the next tax filing due date.

When a client is selected, the screen switches to a workflow diagram called the Activity Center that includes icon options for setup functions, payroll tasks, printing, payment of taxes and forms compliance. Text-based links across the top of the screen provide similar access. Within each of these areas, Payroll Relief provides additional icons for specific tasks, such as setting up GL accounts, pay types and deductions, as well as creating departments and determining permissions and access rights. The program can handle any number of employer clients and any number of employees. Employees can have up to 10 pay rates and can be salaried, hourly, tipped, commission or contract. Payroll Relief supports all traditional deductions and allows creation of customized deductions.

The heart of the system’s payroll functions are accessed through the newly redesigned Payroll Processing screen, which displays a list of client employees with gross and net pay data automatically calculated for salaried employees. Employee information is easy to drilldown to, with quick access to pay rate, taxes, deductions, direct deposit and benefits tracking for vacation, sick and personal leave. The main screen also provides icons for paying employees and contractors, printing checks and accessing prior payroll run information. A Dashboard function gives the user a quick overview of a particular client’s payroll activities, including payday reminders, taxes due, taxes paid, forms due, forms filed and a summary of current payroll. The vendor recently added a secure instant messaging system within Payroll Relief that allows accountants and their clients to communicate in real-time, without the hassles of phone calls and e-mails.

If the accounting firm wishes to do so, it can grant clients access to data-entry areas while maintaining control over all other aspects of the payroll process. Under this scenario, clients log in through the firm’s website and use a portal that maintains the practice’s branding elements. Another option for professional firms is having AccountantsWorld act as a service bureau for part or virtually all of the payroll processing functions. Various levels of this service are available, allowing the firm to retain responsibility for specific tasks like check printing, while having AccountantsWorld manage other tasks, such as filing forms and remitting payments. All billing remains managed directly by the firm, and AccountantsWorld makes no contact with clients.