Running your own payroll takes time and experience—and the ability to keep up to date with payroll tax laws. If you don’t, you could be placing your business at risk for penalties and fines from the IRS. If you’ve decided it’s time to outsource your payroll operations, how do you choose the right company to do it?

Here are five things to keep in mind:

1. Convenience

How easy does your potential payroll provider make the process? Running your payroll shouldn’t be a hassle. You should be able to do it on any computer or mobile device, from anywhere. And it should take minutes, not hours.

2. Ease of Transition

Switching from your current payroll system into the provider’s advanced paperless system shouldn’t require a major learning curve or multiple, long training sessions. Find a provider whose software seems simple and straightforward, and make sure their training is quick and easy.

3. Cost

Watch out for hidden fees! You may choose a provider based on what seems to be the lowest price, then discover that your monthly invoice is much higher than you were expecting. Go with a payroll processing provider whose services and pricing structure are completely transparent, so you know exactly what your charges will be based on how many employees you have and the services you select.

4. Options

You’ll need to figure out exactly what you want your payroll provider to do, so you’re not paying for more—or less!—than you need. Some only offer certain services, while full-service providers offer a range that usually include running payroll and payroll reports, direct deposit availability, reporting and filing employment-related taxes, making automated tax payments, handling employee reimbursements, vacation and sick day tracking and reporting, and more.

5. Flexibility

You want to hire a payroll provider that is willing to partner and integrate with other HR and accounting software systems. If their system is easily integrated with other types of accounting software platforms, you’ll have greater flexibility, more control, and better results. And if they partner with workers’ comp and benefits providers that understand small business needs, that helps them provide the most complete payroll package possible.

The valuable time and energy you spend on your payroll could be better spent on activities that make you money! At Staffers, we are happy to provide payroll services for our clients who request them. If you’d like to know more about how we can help with this important facet of your business, call or contact us anytime.