4 Apps to Manage Your Own Payroll

Managing payroll can take a lot out of a small business, which is why so many companies seem willing to pay the cost of outsourcing it. In-house human resources departments tend to be resource-intensive undertakings, with time spent tracking time and benefits quickly growing beyond part-time commitments.

Handling HR and payroll yourself, without the time and effort internal teams usually spend on the job, seems the ideal cost-saving solution, and the right software gives you just that. These payroll/time-tracking apps, each with their unique strengths, all integrate with QuickBooks to simplify managing this essential business task.

1. QuickBooks

QuickBooks offers a robust, user-friendly Canadian payroll software program designed for small business owners. If you’re already using QuickBooks, then adding payroll functionality is easy. The app offers free direct deposit and will automatically calculate tax rates to help you keep your payroll figures precise. QuickBooks Payroll streamlines your duties come tax time—file and remit your payroll taxes with Revenu Québec or the CRA from within the app and produce year-end forms like T4s (or RL-1s if you're in Québec) for employees.

The QuickBooks payroll extension helps you run payroll accurately and efficiently. It's particularly helpful for small business owners who may hire staff on a freelance or contract basis, as the app allows you to pay contractors and generate T4As at the end of the year. For business owners in Quebec, the equivalent of the T4A is included in Box O of the RL-1 slip.

“QuickBooks Online with Payroll ensures that small business owners can pay employees with the confidence and accuracy they require,” said Tanis Young, Maven Bookkeeping owner. This robust payroll program can help you save time, money, and environmental waste.

2. OnTheClock

Developed as employee-facing software, OnTheClock boasts a design optimized for easy payroll management on the go. The desktop version of this app lets employees log in at the start of their shifts and track their breaks and lunchtime; then they log out as with any other system, at the end of the day.

You can add access to the app to your company website, allowing employees working from home or calling out sick to do so from their own internet connection. Corrections are easy to make after the inevitable mistaken keystroke, and managers can draw together data for a concise digital report at any point in the payroll cycle.

Load this app onto employees’ work phones or tablets, and the system uses the installed GPS tracker to monitor employees’ movements and report back to you. This helps companies with distributed workforces, such as parcel delivery and transportation providers.

You can even establish an electronic fence that ensures employees who drive their company cars outside their assigned areas go off the clock for as long as they’re gone. This can help streamline payroll by tracking personal time against work time.

3. PaymentEvolution Payroll

PaymentEvolution is the ultimate app to help you run your small business payroll smoothly. It offers a modern interface that is easy to use. It easily integrates with QuickBooks Online, which means you can automate payroll, business payments, and manage benefits in one place.

Their payroll feature keeps up-to-date with compliance laws stated by Revenu Québec and the CRA. Plus, staff can manage their own pay history, tax slips, and benefits from their own mobile device. The app also features a built-in payroll calculator.

4. Wagepoint

Wagepoint is one of the top payroll apps for small business owners. With a few simple steps, you can pay your employees straight from the app. Connect with your QuickBooks account for a complete look at your employees, hours, wages, holiday pay, and remittances.

The app features direct deposits for both your employees and CRA/Revenue Quebec. Their automated system makes payroll simple and efficient. Plus, you can access features from anywhere, which allows your employees to access their paystubs with a simple login. Wagepoint also features an auto-approve feature, which means if your payroll doesn’t change much, you can simply let it run without worrying about it.

While handling payroll yourself without a dedicated staff might seem challenging, the right apps with features suited to your business can make all the difference. Use these suggestions to create an integrated system that works seamlessly with QuickBooks accounting software for fuss-free paydays. Learn more about apps that integrate with QuickBooks here.