Small and medium-sized businesses benefit in different ways when they utilize the best small business payroll software for organizations. The cost of payroll software is a major feature when deciding whether or not a business wants its own in-house software program. Selecting payroll software is not a one-size-fits-all process. Businesses of any industry or size should not treat it that way. Whether you need your first payroll program or a system that works better than your existing one, small businesses need an intuitive payroll program that helps them hit the ground running or improve operations.
Advanced Micro Solutions Payroll Software is an add-on module to our base W-2/1099 Forms Filer program. Our software supports users across all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. AMS Payroll is an affordable and customizable solution for small business owners that may have unique payroll management needs.
What are the Best Small Business Payroll Software Features?
A payroll system that supports “live” or after-the-fact payroll is exactly what you get with AMS Payroll. Other key features that you should seek in your next payroll software are:
Automation – Payroll software cannot prevent businesses from making mistakes, but it can offer certain safeguards. The best software with automation tools goes a long way toward a business ensuring accuracy with its data. Look for comprehensive software that lets your business automatically calculate federal, state, and local payroll taxes.
Printing Capabilities – Many forms require electronic submissions, but printing capabilities are still important for your payroll software. Printing checks individually or by a date range is one of many features that you can access with the best small business payroll software.
Multiple Payroll Forms – Find payroll software for your small business that supports multiple federal payroll forms like the 941, 940, 943, 944, and 1040 SchH. You may also decide to look for software that includes SUI forms for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Having more options now will allow your software to grow with you in the future.
Easy Importing and Exporting – How your payroll software interacts with other applications and software is crucial. Finding a compatible system will help you to export the W-2 and 1099 data that you need for year-end processing. Review the third-party applications that you utilize most. The best small business payroll software like AMS Payroll allows its users to import data from QuickBooks, PeachTree, Excel, and Tab Delimited Text files.
Payroll Software vs. Hiring An Accountant
Whether a small business decides to invest in payroll software or hire an accountant is largely based on their needs and existing resources. There are benefits for either scenario.
Benefits of Using Payroll Software
More Accessible – Some businesses prefer to keep their payroll tools onsite. Make changes and set certain deadlines the way that you like with payroll software. Having more flexibility is also ideal if you hire remote workers or employ people who travel across state lines.
More Affordable – Small businesses may not be able to pay an accountant’s fees. You also may not require enough payroll management to make hiring an accountant an ideal financial investment for the long term. The best small business payroll software should not come with surprise or hidden fees.
Benefits of Hiring an Accountant
Handling Complex Payrolls – Consider whether your small business has any complex payroll needs. Taking care of multiple pay rates, different tax codes, or international employees can put a strain on a small business. A small business may alternatively never encounter these types of requirements that an accountant generally possesses more experience in handling.
Personalized Service – The right accountant will help to ensure that your business’s payroll processes align with any specific business needs. Customizable payroll software can similarly help a business take care of unique situations, such as employee bonuses, benefits, and any complex tax arrangements. Take into consideration how much personalization you will need.
Get Started with AMS Payroll
Finding the best small business payroll software will look different for each small business. Talk to your colleagues or outline for yourself exactly what you want out of your first or next program. Download our free 1099-etc Demo software today and see how AMS Payroll operates through our base program and alongside our five other optional add-on modules.
The five modules are: Software Generated Forms, E-File, Forms Filer Plus, Affordable Care Act Filer, and a 1042-S Filer. AMS Payroll shows different state and federal tax liabilities at any time when you access the View command feature. Print over 30 different check types or process any employee direct deposit payroll information.