5th October 2016
Making the decision to outsource a facet of your business can be one of the most valuable and beneficial decisions you make. But before you leap into outsourcing your payroll to the nearest Johnny-Come-Lately, there are a few questions you should ask.
Before you approach a payroll service provider, make sure your own house is in order. Consider the following to get an idea of your own needs and requirements.
How complex is my payroll?
Make sure you have a full understanding of all the elements that go into your payroll runs before you approach a third party provider. You may need to pay colleagues located internationally, for example, that some third parties cannot accommodate.
What kind of payroll service do I need?
Payroll outsourcing commonly falls into one of two kinds. Depending on your needs and business structure, you may need more or less control over the process.
How secure is my payroll data in-house?
If you find your security lacking, you can opt to move your payroll data into the security of your third party provider. Make sure they have accreditations such as ISO 27001, which show they take security seriously.
Once you have a full understanding of your needs, you can reach out to third parties. When considering a payroll service provider, ask the following questions:
As I expand, what other services do you offer in-house?
The best payroll providers act in partnership with your business, helping you capitalise on opportunities for growth. If your business is on the rise, you want a payroll service provider who can support you with things like Auto Enrolment, International Payroll and FX payments, and HR systems.
What payroll platform are you using?
A little bit of research is all it takes to find the best and most reliable platforms for payroll processing. Before engaging a third party provider, make sure they are using a reliable and secure HMRC accredited system you can trust.
What support can I expect?
Communication is essential when you are outsourcing to any third party providers. Payroll outsourcing is no different. Regular reports, dedicated account managers and good software support are all hallmarks of the best payroll providers
These are just a few of the important things you need to know before choosing your payroll provider. You can find more information on how to engage a third party payroll provider by checking out our useful info page, or downloading our payroll guide below.
A good payroll provider will aim to deliver a tailored service that meets your needs as your business changes and grows, to ensure optimum accuracy and accountability. It’s important that they maintain good communication through an account manager. However, it’s not always easy to guarantee this standard of service, so asking payroll questions allows you to understand how a payroll outsourcer can cater to your needs.
