19 Smart Questions to Ask Your Potential Payroll Provider

21 Aug 19 Smart Questions to Ask Your Potential Payroll Provider

Payroll processing is the core of any business. If you aren’t paying your workers, you soon won’t have a business.

As companies grow, payroll becomes tougher to handle with taxes and compliance, which subsequently puts unwanted stress on the company. You may think that outsourcing your payroll is not an option, that your business is too small, that you can’t afford it, or that you’ll lose control of payroll functions, but think again.

Entrepreneur magazine explains that, when chosen correctly, a payroll provider offers a less expensive, simpler way of paying your employees and filing taxes.

Once you’ve determined that outsourcing payroll is right for your small business, here is a checklist of 19 great questions to ask before signing on the dotted line. Having answers to these questions will give you the confidence you need to ensure you’re making the best business decision.

19 Questions to Ask Your Potential Payroll Provider

1. What does your basic service model include?
2. Do I have to sign a contract?
3. If so, how long is the contract for?
4. Are there options to upgrade?
5. What do you offer that the competitors don’t?
6. What information do I need to sign up?
7. What is the setup process like and how long until I will be able to run my first payroll?
8. With your tax filing service, do you cover the penalties and/or interest charges?
9. Do you offer filing assistance for local taxes?
10. Do you handle taxes if I have employees in multiple states?
11. Can you work with my CPA/accountant?
12. What security measures do you take to ensure my information is safe?
13. Will I work with the same customer service rep every time I need something?
14. Can you provide a couple of references from other small business owners?
15. What’s the average length that clients stay with you?
16. Are there any hidden fees that have not been mentioned yet (ex. startup costs)?
17. What does your service cost for one year?
18. How long are these rates in effect?
19. Do you charge if I add more employees to my payroll?

 
These are only examples of good questions to ask, assuming you haven’t dealt with payroll before or are looking to switch providers.

At Payroll Partners, we’re ready to answer all your questions about payroll! To start, simply call us at (866) 757-8111, fill out this form or email us at info@payrollpartners.com to request contact from one of our reps. We look forward to helping you with all your small business payroll needs!