How can small businesses manage their payroll?

Understanding payroll is essential to the viability of any small firm, even those with only a few employees. A well-managed payroll system may assist your small business in getting the job done while avoiding costly IRS and state fines. Determine which components of the payroll process you want to manage in-house or outsource to create an effective system.

Make sure you update your payroll records and record employee hours regularly so that when payroll time comes, it goes smoothly and accurately.

Let us look at each aspect of small company payroll management and how to accomplish
efficient payroll processing in your small business.

Payroll services are beneficial to businesses

One of the main advantages of working with a payroll service provider is that you will have more time to concentrate on the operations of your small business rather than on time-consuming administrative duties. Your taxes will be filed on time, which reduces your risk of making mistakes or missing deadlines. Payroll and taxes are handled by small business payroll services. They can also assist you in keeping up with ever-changing compliance rules. It can also save you money since you will be less likely to make mistakes or miss tax filing dates, both of which can result in costly penalties.

ayroll management and how to accomplish efficient payroll processing in your small business.

Paying my employees: How do I do it?

A few crucial things need to be taken into account before the first payroll run can begin.

Choosing between the two is the first step

Payroll applications: Payroll can be done manually, with payroll software, or with the help of a bookkeeper or payroll agency.

Schedules of pay: The most common options are monthly, semimonthly, bimonthly, and weekly. Bank holidays may necessitate alterations to the payment schedule.

Payment options include: The most prevalent methods of payment are direct deposit, cheque, and debit card.

As soon as you’ve chosen these options, you’ll need to set up withholding, deductions, tax filings, and payments.

The process of withholding and paying taxes

Payroll has its own set of guidelines and exceptions that complicate matters. Deductions from gross pay, such as federal and state withholding taxes and benefit contributions, must be made.

Employers must calculate their own tax liability, submit payments, and file returns with government authorities on time. Social Security, Medicare, state and municipal taxes, as well as income and sales tax, are examples of taxes that must be paid on a periodic basis.

An overview of government reporting at the state and federal levels

Each new employee is expected to complete a W-4 or W-9 form during employee onboarding. This federal form requires employees to disclose their salaries to the federal government.

In these forms, employees indicate how much tax they intend to pay. The HR department withholds this During tax season, each employee’s W-2 reports the amount per paycheck.

In order to confirm compliance with the tax requirement, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) compares the employee’s annual salary with his or her income tax bracket.

Employees may owe taxes if their tax burden was underpaid. As a result, wages might be garnished, adding to HR’s workload.

How can I get help with payroll for my small business

A business owner can be strong in all areas of operation except payroll and other accounting functions. In many cases, a small business may not have a dedicated HR manager or department. When leadership struggles with payroll and compliance, the risk of high turnover or audits exponentially increases.

Business owners who place a high value on their time and peace of mind often end up outsourcing payroll. Having a full-service provider will take care of most payroll responsibilities, such as wage calculations, tax withholdings, deposits, reporting, etc. – is taken care of.

Third-party payroll services may be able to help employers who lack administrative resources or expertise handle payroll on their own. The payroll services for small businesses from Norcross are efficient, timely, and accurate.

Other reasons for outsourcing payroll include:

Saves time:

As an employer, you can save time by removing payroll duties from your plate. This allows you to focus on other business-building initiatives, such as product development, customer service, and sales.

Minimize payroll errors

Most payroll providers automate the labor-intensive aspects of payroll, thereby reducing errors that commonly result from manual calculations.

Improve security

Employers can safeguard their confidential information by outsourcing payroll to a reputable provider that invests in state-of-the-art technology and has redundant backup systems.

Maintain compliance

Payroll providers keep up with changing government requirements so that companies don’t have to, and they frequently take the lead in completing all documentation required for compliance.

Reduce costs

Outsourcing payroll can save businesses money when compared to the fines and penalties that result from m

Saves time:

As an employer, you can save time by removing payroll duties from your plate. This allows you to focus on other business-building initiatives, such as product development, customer service, and sales.

Minimize payroll errors

Most payroll providers automate the labor-intensive aspects of payroll, thereby reducing errors that commonly result from manual calculations.

Improve security

Employers can safeguard their confidential information by outsourcing payroll to a reputable provider that invests in state-of-the-art technology and has redundant backup systems.

Maintain compliance

Payroll providers keep up with changing government requirements so that companies don’t have to, and they frequently take the lead in completing all documentation required for compliance.

Reduce costs

Outsourcing payroll can save businesses money when compared to the fines and penalties that result from mistakes.

It is very common for data input mistakes to result in erroneous paycheck distribution.

As well as errors such as

• Miscalculated employee absence.
• Incorrect payroll tax withholding percentages.
• Missing benefit deductions.
• Inappropriate PTO application.

Another potential issue that might arise is with direct deposit setup during employee onboarding. Payroll processing might pose serious challenges for a growing workforce if recordkeeping isn’t safe, efficient, or accurate.

How can small businesses manage payrolls?

Working with a payroll solutions provider is the fastest way small businesses can save time. As a result, compliance is also ensured. Using a SAAS product or outsourcing payroll processing may be an option.

Track employee hours

Tracking the time employees spend on the job is critical if you have hourly employees. This can be done using whatever method works best for you, as long as it shows a complete record. Some payroll products include time-tracking features at an additional cost or integrate with time-tracking apps. Timesheets or a time clock can also be used.

Keep up-to-date employee records

Payroll requires accurate recordkeeping. While employee information is normally obtained during the onboarding process, workers must formally notify you when their information changes.

Begin by training employees on how to update their information, whether through an employee portal or a paper form. Any modifications should be recorded in your payroll system.

If your software includes an employee portal, you will most likely be alerted of the change automatically. If workers provide you with a printed form, you must manually update the records. Be aware of basic changes, such as changes in addresses, and keep an eye out for changes that influence pay rates, deductions, or taxes.

Decide what to manage in-house

As a business owner, you are responsible for ensuring that your payroll is accurate. Certified payroll professionals can assist you with the most difficult aspects of the payroll process. Even if you hire someone to help you, you’ll still be responsible for reviewing and approving payroll and ensuring that the information you submit to the provider is up-to-date and correct.

“According to the National Small Business Association, 45% of small businesses utilize a payroll service. “

Conclusion

The risk of making mistakes increases as a company grows and becomes more sophisticated. A reliable payroll system can help you manage different types of employees. Your small business can benefit from payroll services from a reputable provider. If you are having difficulty with payroll processing or require assistance, we are here to assist you. Our experts can help you with payroll and other critical parts of your organization.

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Accountants vs Financial Advisors: A comparison

Financial advisors are professionals licensed to provide investment and financial planning advice. Financial advisers can be consultants, CFPs, or investment managers, among other titles. Depending on their specialization, they can assist with a wide range of financial decisions. They can assist with retirement planning, budgeting, coaching, and even tax planning.

An accountant’s job is to help you in remaining within compliance with accounting and financial rules. An accountant may also assist you in developing a budget, tracking spending, and forecasting future development. The accounting profession includes a wide range of professionals, including certified public accountants (CPAs). A CPA or accountant’s level of advice depends largely on the experience, certification, and background they possess.

Here are some differences outlined that can help you differentiate between a Financial Advisor and an Accountant.

An overview of an Accountants’ duties :

• Help you comply with accounting and financial regulations.
• Offer tax advice and preparation.
• Help forecast future growth.
• Prepare financial statements.
• Evaluate depreciation.
• Provide a breakdown of expenses.
• will recommend modifying the business model.
• Provide assistance in developing business growth and succession plans (as it relates to taxes).
• Providing representation during audits.

An overview of the duties of Financial Advisors :

• Prepares budgets for you.
• Advises you on your investments (short and long term).
• Assists with asset allocation in a variety of portfolios.
• Assists you with estate planning to address the distribution of your assets in retirement.
• Assistance with insurance planning (disability, life insurance, etc.).
• Advices you on asset accumulation and protection.

 

What certifications do a Financial Advisor and an Accountant need to have?

You should seek out licensed specialists for tax, financial, and accounting guidance. Financial advisors usually earn the designation of Certified Financial Planner (CFP), whereas accountants often get the designation of Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The formal education requirements for CFPs and CPAs include passing difficult exams, meeting licensure requirements, and maintaining ethical standards.

Due to the complexity and ever-changing nature of each profession, most professionals stick to their primary areas of expertise and rely on other professionals for their special skills. If you need assistance with taxes or investing, consult a licensed professional. It is ideal if they have qualifications related to their specific area(s) of competence. It is also necessary to find someone who is familiar with the laws that apply in your state, particularly those regarding taxes. Consult a licensed professional for tax and financial advice.

Financial advisers, for example, must hold licenses issued by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and their state’s financial authority (FINRA). To be licensed to provide certain services, advisors typically pass examinations that assess their understanding of securities and investing strategies. Depending on the licensed services they offer, advisors must often pass both the Series 7 and Series 65 or 66 tests. These tests assess their understanding of securities and financial techniques. Similarly to that, CPAs in particular must be licensed by their state’s board of accountants. The Uniform CPA Exam, which tests CPAs’ knowledge of tax and accounting laws, is another requirement.

Must Have credentials of a CPA includes

• Accounting bachelor’s degree
• Extensive experience in public accounting
• Successfully completing the Uniform CPA licensing exam
• Completion of required continuing education.

 

Must Have Credentials Of CFP Includes

Financial advisor certification requirements vary based on the exact certification an individual is trying to obtain. Although other certifications exist, the basics include:

• Registering with the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
• Passing of the Series 7, 65 or 66 exams
• Passing the CFP Board exam (for CFPs)
• Completion of continuing education requirements

 

When to hire Accountants/CPA

An accountant should be a part of your team if you are a small business owner. Understanding how various business types and expansion strategies affect your tax liability is crucial from the outset. The team of accounting experts can help your business expand, maintain compliance, and make future plans.

Accountants are the most knowledgeable about the IRS’s laws and regulations. People frequently use accountants to verify that they are taking advantage of all possible tax breaks. A financial advisor can help you with a variety of financial issues. An accountant can help you prepare financial statements and tax returns.

Accountants are especially useful for persons with complicated tax situations, such as business owners, big families, or people with several income sources. Hiring an accountant makes more sense if you’re starting a company or evaluating the tax consequences of a sale, merger, buyout, or acquisition.

When To Hire Financial Advisors/CFP

Working with a Financial Advisor can assist you with long-term financial management. During market volatility, an advisor can help you in maintaining your emotions under control. If you

need a sounding board when the markets go crazy, you should consider hiring a financial advisor. Some companies have in-house CPAs or CPA firms that are licensed to handle a person’s money.

Hiring a Financial Advisor is advantageous when

• You are providing a tax-efficient gift to your children.
• You are selling your little business.
• Make plans for your children’s college costs.
• Choosing when to retire.
• Making certain that your assets are sufficiently protected by property and casualty insurance.
• Make certain that your family is appropriately protected in the event that you die early.

 

When Do You Need To Work With Both?

You may need to work with both of these key professionals in cases like

• You’re starting a business: Financial advisors and CPAs can assist you in setting up your business structure, selecting insurance, and planning for future growth.
• You’re buying a home: Your financial advisor can help you determine how much you can afford and advise you on mortgage products that may meet your needs, while your CPA can offer you tax breaks for first-time homebuyers and those with mortgages.
• You’re planning for retirement: You can get assistance from a financial advisor if you need to create a retirement plan, while a CPA can explain all the details about retirement plans, particularly if you own a business.

 

How Can BFG Give You The Right Advice For Your Accounting And Finances

Business Financial Group has expertise in accounting, bookkeeping, consulting, outsourcing, payroll, and business services. The Financial Advisors and CPAs at our firm are licensed and can assist you with the necessary documents and procedures.

You can count on our personalized business services solutions for all your accounting, tax preparation, payroll administration, and human resource management needs.

Have Question?

CONTACT US NOW !!!

(866)868-2338


Schedule A Free Consultation

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