If you've just set up a new business, one of the first things you need to do is payroll. Obviously, you will need to pay your employees for their hard work and dedication, but as you might realise, payroll isn't as easy as it seems. There are many things to be considered, along with questions to ask yourself to get payroll right!
That said, let us talk about payroll, outlining the things you need to know to get it right:
1. In-House vs Outsourcing
When it comes to payroll, there are two main options: In-house and outsourcing. Outsourcing means you get a service provider to do your payroll for you. Though this might seem appealing, it is definitely not for everyone. And if you're a startup, outsourcing might seem like a better option than in-house, but it isn't.
Outsourcing payroll is the easy way out, and you will find a lot of small businesses choosing this option because of the high costs involved with in-house payroll systems. However, outsourcing payroll can end up costing you more in the long run as you will have to spend more money on third-party services. What used to be a one-time setup fee will now come with a monthly fee, along with additional charges.
Additionally, you will have to deal with the headache of managing multiple billings and making sure that you are on the right side of their terms and conditions or risk getting your payroll services shut down.
In-house payroll systems are a lot easier. It means you have full control over the management of your payroll and can easily turn it off when you're done with it.
2. Pick the Right Software
Whenever you're setting up a payroll system, you should always consider the option of building your own payroll software. This means that you will have to invest your budget in developing customised payroll software. However, this is an investment that will pay off in the long run, not just in the amount of money you save but also in the time you can save by not having to go through the laborious process of manually entering data for payroll.
Without a doubt, the best way to go about payroll is by setting up your own software to run your payroll system. The process will be seamless as you will be able to add payroll details as and when needed without having to re-enter information every time you make a change.
3. Decide on a Payment Schedule
Another thing you should consider when setting up a payroll system is deciding on a schedule for how you will pay your employees. The most popular options are either on a weekly basis or monthly basis. However, you should have a basic understanding of how your employees will be paid before deciding on a schedule.
For instance, if your employees have variable incomes, like programmers or sales staff, you should pay them a regular amount each month instead of weekly. This helps them with their cash flow, as they get paid a fixed amount each month, which can then be used to buy groceries or pay off their debts.
Conclusion
There is no denying that setting up a payroll system is a difficult task. However, with proper knowledge and understanding of what you are getting into, it isn't that difficult. All it takes is some effort and patience, along with a willingness to make the right choices. That said, although there are a lot of things to consider when setting up a payroll system, there are just a few points you need to take into account. Once you get these things sorted out, you will be well on your way to setting up a payroll system that works for your business.
The ECommerce Accountant offers business advisory services for online stores and influencers. If you are looking for e-commerce accounting services in Australia, work with us today!
Comments