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SurePayroll is a comprehensive, full-featured, 100 percent online outsourced service bureau payroll product.

SurePayroll automates the payroll process, eliminating many traditional processing steps that conventional payroll services require.
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Using SurePayroll, small businesses and their employees can access information and process payrolls from anywhere, on-demand. SurePayroll is designed for companies with fewer than 100 employees. The SurePayroll service is available either as SurePayroll Direct, SureChoice for Accountants, or the SurePayroll Private Label Service.

SurePayroll Direct is a complete payroll processing solution offered to small businesses. SurePayroll SureChoice allows accountants to offer SurePayroll under their own name with wholesale pricing, or refer clients and receive free, electronic access to their clients' payroll information once clients have granted permission. SurePayroll Private Label Service allows SurePayroll franchisees and financial service providers to offer SurePayroll under their own brand or through co-branded websites.

For the accountant, two different partnership opportunities exist through SureChoice. Accountants can assume the role of reseller and may self-brand SurePayroll on a wholesale basis. Alternatively, accountants may refer clients to SurePayroll, whereby SurePayroll is responsible for the outsourced product. SurePayroll handles all tax filings and deposits, and the pricing includes direct deposit access to reports and payroll history.

Shannon Rapp of San Francisco-based Rapp It Up Solutions has been using SurePayroll for almost five years and currently runs 22 payrolls. After using other payroll solutions in the past, Rapp says, "What I like the most about this package is that there is always a friendly voice when you call, and you are not a number." Plus, there is no software to download. "It is ALL online, which makes it a simple solution that you can do anywhere," she says. Rapp has found tremendous benefit to being able to run payroll for her clients and calculate the taxes appropriately before the payroll is run. "It's also good for cash flow forecasting," she said. She also appreciate that SurePayroll can give you a confirmation number to confirm that your taxes are being paid timely.

LEARNING CURVE -- 5 Stars

SurePayroll is a quick study. It is accessed through an online portal, where the user accesses SurePayroll via a secure server. This can be on SurePayroll's website or it can be through the accountant's website. SurePayroll can be set up so that either the accountant or client enters client payroll data. The online interface is easy to learn, featuring intuitive screens that guide the user through the data-entry process. The online interface is arranged in a simple toolbar, which moves from left to right across the main menu. In program data entry, users navigate across the toolbar through Begin, Reminder, Account Center, Run Payroll, Payroll Data, Preview, Payday, Reports, Employees and other Company information areas. The Account Center provides a basic overview of pending tasks for a specific company, such as checks that need to be printed, as well as easy access to reports, running payroll and adding or editing employee data. Company setup is handled by SurePayroll's SureStart system, which guides users through initial client setup.

FEATURES & SERVICES -- 5 Stars

One of the many benefits of the SurePayroll online system is the ability to enter payroll data from any location - in-house or remote. After company and employee setup, SurePayroll automatically tracks and calculates vacation and sick time plus other benefit information. SurePayroll allows the user to preview, review and approve payroll calculations very soon after the payroll data-entry process is completed. Payroll lead time is on-demand - as little as two hours. SurePayroll is comprehensive, and users can take advantage of 57 deduction codes and 34 earnings codes, with the ability to rename and/or customize them. SurePayroll supports 10 one-time (miscellaneous) deductions per pay period.

A built-in feature known as SureReminders uses e-mails to notify clients. E-mails are sent to employees on payday. Employees can be given online access that allows them to view and print pay stubs. A wealth of features is included in the basic system at no extra charge: direct deposit; e-filing of federal, state and local tax returns; and e-payment of tax liabilities. Sure Payroll provides a no tax penalty guarantee, too.

REPORTING CAPABILITIES -- 4.5 Stars

SurePayroll offers several standard reports, including departmental summaries, departmental details and compliance reports. For employees, electronic pay stubs are available, including tracking of 401(k) benefits and tracking of sick/vacation hour accruals. A review function allows preview of employee Form(s) W-2 prior to printing and government submission. SurePayroll prints Form(s) W-3, 940, and annual state tax forms. SurePayroll offers customers the option to print their paychecks in-house at no additional charge. Alternatively, users may opt for a check printing and delivery service for an additional fee.

INTEGRATION/IMPORT & EXPORT -- 4 Stars

SurePayroll provides limited direct export to accounting programs, with support for QuickBooks and MYOB. SurePayroll checks and reports are provided in *.PDF format, allowing no-hassle archiving and supporting the paperless management of the payroll process. Worker's compensation management is provided through a third party.

TRAINING & SUPPORT -- 4.5 Stars

SurePayroll includes a built-in Help utility. Online web assistance is scant, but traditional telephone technical support is included in the subscription price. Formal training sessions are not available. For SureChoice for Accountants (accountant wholesale version), SurePayroll creates a customized web interface that allows users to log into the accountant's website. The SurePayroll interface is branded with the accountant's name and no mention of outsourcing.

SUMMARY

Clearly, SurePayroll effectively embraces the use of the Web to deliver payroll services while at the same time supporting the concept of the paperless office. SurePayroll is feature-rich and provides no-additional-charge unlimited direct deposit, electronic pay notices and stubs to client employees. It also offers electronic *.PDF-formatted versions of all reports.

SurePayroll offers a comprehensive and efficient system with a strong feature set that many accountants will find attractive when considering an outsourced payroll processing and tax compliance product. Even more attractive is the ability to brand the SurePayroll product and keep the accountant in the client's eye while maintaining complete control over client service. SureChoice for Accountants pricing is as follows: Monthly - $40.45 plus $1.66 per employee; Biweekly/Semi-monthly - $27.85 plus $1.66 per employee; Weekly - $17.05 plus $1.35 per employee. W-2s cost $36 plus $3.82 per employee.

2006 Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars

SurePayroll - SureChoice For Accountants
877-954-SURE
www.SurePayroll.com

Copyright © 2006. The CPA Technology Advisor.