QuickBooks Payroll Review: Features, Pros & Cons

Payroll reports cover the usual core functionalities of vacation and sick leave, payroll taxes and wages, payroll deductions and contributions, workers’ compensation, and multiple worksite coverage. QuickBooks Payroll is relatively easy to use — especially if you have experience running payroll or using other QuickBooks programs. Though the software is user-friendly, we appreciate that the company provides online guides for quickbooks payroll review getting started and can assist with setup, depending on your plan. If QuickBooks Payroll isn’t a good fit for you, check out our page comparing payroll software to find a payroll plan that is.

Why Rippling is better than ADP and QuickBooks?

Premium plan customers can access the HR support center but not a personal HR advisor. Every QuickBooks Payroll plan has the option to automatically run payroll for salaried employees paid via direct deposit and hourly employees with default hours paid via direct deposit. Before payroll runs each pay period, you’ll get a preview email with the opportunity to make changes. Once your employees are paid, QuickBooks Payroll will send you a confirmation text.

  • For businesses with remote employees, these multiple-state-filing fees could really add up.
  • With the plan, you’ll have access to an HR support center and workers’ compensation administration.
  • It is available as a standalone solution or as an add-on for QuickBooks Desktop.
  • QuickBooks Online Payroll has month-to-month contracts and no early termination fees.
  • Existing QuickBooks customers can sign into their account and add a payroll package.

QuickBooks Payroll Review: Features, Pros & Cons

QuickBooks also runs promotions for its payroll product frequently, so be sure to check for any available discounts before purchasing. QuickBooks Online Payroll offers a 30-day free trial, but if you opt to try before you buy, you’ll miss out on a 50% off “buy now” promotion. QuickBooks Online Payroll rated 2.6/5 stars in the pricing category due to its higher-than-average cost, lack of a discounted annual plan option, and pricey add-ons. However, the software gets points for pricing transparency and plans that are generously packed with features. But if you pay employees in multiple states, a QuickBooks competitor like Gusto with free multi-state payroll will cost less in the long run.

Payroll Service

Each time you run payroll, they’ll get an email informing them their pay stubs are available to view, print or download. Direct stores can be set up safely, and it permits organizations to pay their representatives on time and in a helpful manner. The feature can be customized to pay different employees different amounts or percentages, and it can be set up to pay employees on a recurring schedule, such as weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Ramp offers a free corporate card and finance management system for small businesses. QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise users get payroll baked into their plans, so they’ll always have access to payroll functionality from within the QuickBooks Desktop platform. QuickBooks Desktop Payroll rated a solid 4.1/5 star rating in the reviews category which reflects its users’ positive experiences with the software.

Account Information

With the QuickBooks Payroll Premium package, additional features like time tracking, same-day direct deposit, and a complete HR support center are available. However, the HR support center offers good value as it aids with hiring, employee performance, and compliance with labor laws. QuickBooks offers a fast and efficient way to run payroll and a convenient solution for businesses that already use QuickBooks for other accounting tasks. Most users report that QuickBooks is easy to manage, even without a financial background.

Negative QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Reviews & Complaints

QuickBooks uses AP Intego to help businesses find workers’ compensation insurance quotes and connect their policies to QuickBooks to simplify their audits. QuickBooks Payroll’s time-tracking tools make reporting on payroll subjects a breeze. Robie Ann Ferrer is an HR expert writer at Fit Small Business, focusing on small business HR and payroll software content. Robie also worked as an HR specialist for 10 years where she managed various facets of HR—from payroll and benefits to employee services and HR systems. QuickBooks Payroll is an easy program to use, especially if you are already familiar with QuickBooks in general. You do have to set up payroll on your own unless you get the Elite plan, but you can contact support with questions.

  • For small and micro businesses looking for self-service payroll, this is an expensive option for the features promised, and you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere.
  • Additionally, several features like time-tracking are only available through higher-cost plans.
  • For example, neither OnPay nor Gusto charges you extra to offer direct deposit for contractors.
  • With ADP and QuickBooks, payroll often sits in a silo, requiring extra steps to sync changes across different systems.
  • This is incredibly time-consuming for those unfamiliar with the software or payroll processes in general.

However, it lacks a few crucial features such as built-in time tracking and integration with accounting software other than QuickBooks Online. ADP specializes in payroll and HR services, offering payroll processing, tax filing, and benefits administration. It can be suitable for businesses that need a standalone payroll system with HR support. QuickBooks, on the other hand, is primarily accounting software that includes payroll as an add-on.

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Bench for Tax Professionals: How it Works Bench Accounting

how to work with bench accounting software

Some basic accounting software functions are missing such as time tracking and bank reconciliation and payment processing is only in the paid version. Timely responses help your bookkeeping team keep your books up to date and avoid delays. Staying on top of this ensures a stress-free tax season and gives you access to current financial insights, empowering you to make informed, impactful decisions for your business. Small businesses don’t have to use accrual basis accounting, but it typically provides bench accounting more accurate insight into your finances than cash basis accounting does.

how to work with bench accounting software

Simplify your small business bookkeeping with Bench.

  • Accounting software, like most software, is limited in its abilities because it’s designed to address a specific need.
  • In this way, Bench can replace traditional accounting software for many businesses.
  • You will be asked to log in to your Gusto payroll account and authorize Bench to collect the data.
  • The basic plan for small business owners covers monthly bookkeeping and tax-ready financial packages.
  • Sage 50 cloud accounting is one of the more robust offerings on this list.
  • We don’t sync your financial data from any other bookkeeping software.

We’re still on hand to support you, and can give recommendations based on your unique business needs. When your bookkeeping is up-to-date, you avoid scrambling to get caught up before the tax deadline, or missing out on any deductions. If you’re unsure if cash basis bookkeeping will work for your business, talk to us. We’d be happy to understand the needs of your business and determine if Bench is a good fit for you. We don’t offer any of those services, but we do partner with other companies (like Gusto and Freshbooks) that specialize in different areas of business admin. We use Plaid, which lets you securely connect your financial accounts to Bench in seconds.

Key Features of Bench Accounting

how to work with bench accounting software

Each month, we may check in with you to ensure your books are accurate and your deductions are maximized. If Bench’s lack of accounting integrations is a concern, instead consider QuickBooks Online with QuickBooks Live full-service bookkeeping added on. In general, the QuickBooks platform is more scalable and widely used among accountants, so it could be a better solution for a rapidly growing business. The service starts at $200 per month and requires a one-time cleanup fee. QuickBooks Online is an additional monthly cost, starting at $30. Bench has a proprietary bookkeeping system that doesn’t sync with other accounting software.

Tax Season

  • Message your team any time, or book a call whenever you like.
  • From year-round tax advice to expert filing, we make sure you get the most out of your return—no hidden fees, no last-minute surprises.
  • You want to make sure you can learn what you need to know in order to be up and running quickly, without having to set aside multiple days for training.
  • Each customer’s main point of contact is a dedicated in-house, professionally-trained bookkeeper, based in North America.
  • We can even give your accountant a login to your Bench account so they can view all your financials, and message your Bench bookkeeper directly if they have questions.
  • Each Bench bundle has a different set of services that are customized to your business’ needs.

Utilizing cutting-edge tech, we ensure seamless processes and accurate data management. Simplify your finances and grow your business with proactive guidance and innovative solutions. If you need help with payroll, you’ll need to invest in another service. Bench themselves recommend using Gusto, and if you do, you’ll get a 30% discount on Gusto’s services since Bench is a partner. Fincent is highly similar to Bench, in that you can access a team of live bookkeepers – not an AI tool.

General Ledger & Chart of Accounts

how to work with bench accounting software

Bench offers two plans – one for basic bookkeeping and another that adds tax filing. Join Bench today and experience the difference of having your financial team just a message away. We believe everyone should Partnership Accounting be able to make financial decisions with confidence. Instead of importing your books, we use your bank statements as our source of truth. Send us your latest balance sheet and income statement, and you’re all set.

When to Use your Various Financial Reports

This integration streamlines transaction tracking and reduces manual data entry. Xero is known for its 1,000+ integrations and unlimited users and companies on all plans but has issues with usability, including unclear navigation and dashboard font that’s difficult to read. Sign up and get a free month of bookkeeping, valued at $299. Pricing starts at $10/month retained earnings balance sheet for 40 invoices and 40 estimates, and scales to $30/month for unlimited invoices and estimates. Granted, it was during standard business hours, so I am unsure of how it would work outside that timeframe.

how to work with bench accounting software

  • QuickBooks, Xero and other do-it-yourself bookkeeping software give you a tool to do your own bookkeeping and taxes.
  • While it may be more expensive than some software-only solutions, many users find the added expertise and time savings justify the cost.
  • And unlike other services, we never limit support based on business size.
  • Bench works exclusively with small businesses, from established operations to fresh, growing businesses.
  • Being able to upload reports easily from my bank and various credit card processors made things so much easier, and the bookkeepers learned quickly how to categorize the transactions.

We take care of bookkeeping and tax for small business owners. And we do it in a way that’s never been done before—by pairing intuitive software with real, human bookkeepers. It’s giving entrepreneurs more time to focus on what they care about.

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