As a small business owner, one of the most important aspects of managing your employees is ensuring that everyone gets paid accurately and on time. However, payroll processing can be a complex and time-consuming task that takes your attention away from other important business activities, but it doesn’t have to be.
SurePayroll is an online payroll processing company that offers small businesses an easy and affordable way to manage their payroll. We review SurePayroll and how it can benefit small businesses. We explore everything you need to know, from features like unlimited payroll and payroll tax calculations, to help you decide if SurePayroll is the right solution for your business.
Pros
- Available plans starting at $19.99 per month plus $4 per employee
- Simple payroll for employees
- Mobile app for small businesses
- Centralized HR and business forms
Cons
- You must enter information to get pricing
- Customer support is not available 24/7
What Is SurePayroll?
SurePayroll is an online payroll and tax solution designed for small businesses. This online payroll company was founded in 2000. It is a subsidiary of Paychex, Inc., which it acquired in 2011. However, the solution is different from Paychex Flex.
Anyone looking to simplify payroll management and automate repetitive processes will find this tool to be an ideal solution. It offers flexible payroll options, unlimited payrolls, and payroll tax calculations so you can keep your employees happy and manage your small business with ease.
For more information on pricing, contact their sales representatives. Users report that their plans range from an affordable $19.99 to $29.99 per month, plus a $4 per-employee fee.
SurePayroll can be an ideal option if you want to ensure that everyone in your organization gets paid on time. However, it’s important to note that while SurePayroll has features designed for HR professionals, it’s not as comprehensive as other payroll services designed specifically for HR professionals.
How SurePayroll Works
SurePayroll caters to a variety of groups, including:
- Small Businesses: SurePayroll helps small businesses streamline their payroll processes, including 401(k) plan withholding, W-2 employee and 1099 contractor payments, FSA and HSA account funding, and payroll deductions. It also offers training and compliance reporting to ensure compliance with all federal and state payroll regulations.
- Nanny and Caregiver Services: This platform is also a convenient payroll solution for employers who hire nannies, caregivers, or other home workers. With SurePayroll, childcare employers can quickly pay their employees and manage payroll taxes. This makes it easy to comply with state and federal labor laws and avoid costly penalties.
- Benefits and Human Resources: In addition to payroll processing, SurePayroll offers human resources and benefits management services. These services include engagement, time and attendance tracking, and employee benefits management, allowing companies to manage all aspects of their employee needs.
- Accountants: SurePayroll also offers payroll services for accountants who have clients who need payroll processing. Accountants can use the SurePayroll platform to manage the payroll needs of multiple clients from a single account. This simplifies the provision of payroll services and ensures accuracy for all clients.
What Sets SurePayroll Apart
This award-winning solution supports W-2 employees and 1099 contractors, manages 401(k) withholdings, and manages Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) funds.
Key software features include:
- Mobile app for payroll processing
- New employee reports and general ledger support
- Easy direct deposit setup
- Tax calculation and filing
SurePayroll is easy to set up and learn in minutes. You can automate recurring payroll processes, make necessary changes, and receive reminders before processing.
SurePayroll Features
Ease of Use
SurePayroll is convenient and reliable for small businesses that need to process payments quickly. The platform’s simple and intuitive interface makes it easy to set up, manage payroll, and file taxes.
The software also offers step-by-step guidance throughout the payroll process and access to a representative who can help new users enter employee hours, review payroll reports, and make necessary adjustments.
Compliance
SurePayroll understands the importance of regulatory compliance and offers a variety of resources to help customers stay compliant. It offers free compliance guides, information on labor law compliance, and access to business forms like Form I-9 and job applications. It also includes notifications and reminders to ensure clients are informed of regulatory compliance updates.
Onboarding
SurePayroll includes a setup assistant that guides users through the entire process. After creating an account, the program will guide you through all the necessary documents. From there, you will need to fill out five sections to set up your payroll. This includes personal information, company information, employee information, federal and state taxes, and a payroll bank account.
Tax Filing
SurePayroll lets you calculate, pay, and file payroll taxes. With its “Full Service” plan, it also offers local and multi-state tax filing for an additional $9.99 per month. Some states have more complex tax regulations at the jurisdiction level, but the platform can help small business owners navigate these complexities. SurePayroll manages over 6,000 active tax accounts across the United States.
Time Tracking
SurePayroll’s integration with time clocks allows companies to easily track employee hours and automatically import data into their payroll system.
With the integration with Stratustime, employees can clock in and out using web-based time tracking, online scheduling, and a mobile web app. Hours and pay are automatically updated, helping users avoid data entry errors and manual work.
SurePayroll also supports integration with third-party time tracking providers such as Redcort, Homebase, OnTheClock, and TimeWolf.
Benefits Administration
For benefits management, companies can offer employee compensation with flexible payment options, health insurance, and pre-employment screening. They can also offer 401(k) benefits to employees, set up special retirement plan services, and develop a quality workforce.
Analytics and Reporting
SurePayroll includes payroll reports that provide greater transparency into the payroll process. These reports include payroll summaries, monthly, quarterly, and annual totals, date ranges, cash claims, checkbooks, taxable wages, and withholdings.
Accessibility
SurePayroll has a mobile app for Apple and Android. Here, you can access the same features that you would on a laptop or desktop computer. This includes compensation for employees and independent contractors, access to payroll summaries, and control over payroll deadlines and holidays. Employers can log into the portal to view their payroll details, find pay stubs, check pay rates, and monitor tax information.
SurePayroll Pricing and Plans
The SurePayroll solution offers two basic payroll services: tax-free and full-service. Both plans offer unlimited payroll, automated payroll, new employee reports, direct deposit, and live support.
Because SurePayroll only offers quote-based pricing, it can be difficult to estimate the cost for growing businesses. As your business grows, pricing may change and new features may be added.
SurePayroll Tiered Pricing and Plans
No Tax Filing Plan
The “No Tax Filing Plan” is ideal for small business owners who want to manage unlimited payroll reports and do their own tax filing. Some of its most popular features include direct deposit, online pay stubs, payroll taxes, and live chat support. Managing employees with your HR consultant, creating new hire reports, and creating multiple pay rates and bonuses is also easy.
Full Service Plan
The “Full Service” plan is ideal for businesses looking for comprehensive payroll and tax preparation services. This option includes everything in the “No Tax Preparation” plan, plus two-day payroll processing. You can also choose additional features, such as local tax filing and multiple state tax filing.
SurePayroll Customer Service and Support
SurePayroll offers live phone support during select hours, Monday through Friday and Saturday. It also offers a comprehensive FAQ section for software-related questions and resources for payroll and tax information.
Additional Features Worth Noting
SurePayroll offers live phone support through its US-based support team via chat, email, or phone. Users can reach out to an experienced customer service team and a dedicated sales and enrollment specialist to help them with their business needs. SurePayroll integrates with leading accounting software, such as Zoho Books, Xero, AccountEdge, and Intuit.
In addition, SurePayroll offers integrations with accounting software, local tax filing, and time and attendance software. Some services have additional fees.
SurePayroll Alternatives and How They Compare
SurePayroll vs. Namely
Namely is a comprehensive HR software platform that offers a variety of benefits management, reporting, performance management, and time tracking capabilities. However, core features such as payroll, direct deposit, time tracking, expense management, and analytics are only available in higher-tier plans.
SurePayroll, on the other hand, offers benefits management capabilities in its most basic plan, including affordable 401(k) plans, health insurance, and workers’ compensation coverage for small businesses.
SurePayroll vs. Paycor
SurePayroll and Paycor are both cloud-based payroll and human resources software solutions designed for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), but they differ in their features and approach. Paycor offers industry-specific solutions for industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality, while SurePayroll focuses more on general business needs.
SurePayroll vs. Gusto
Gusto is a comprehensive payroll and benefits platform for small businesses and startups. It offers automated or manual payroll for employees and contractors, self-service profiles, and two-day direct deposits starting at $40 plus $6 per person per month. It also includes the Gusto Wallet banking platform, which allows employees to receive their paychecks the same day and access spending and savings accounts.
Is SurePayroll Right for Me?
SurePayroll is a trusted payroll services provider with over two decades of experience. It’s ideal for small businesses because it’s a ready-made solution that’s easy to set up and manage. It includes an employee self-service portal, a human resources library, reporting, and the tools small businesses need.
SurePayroll is ideal for:
- For small businesses: SurePayroll is ideal for small businesses that need a simple and efficient payroll solution. It’s perfect for companies that want to save time and effort, get an affordable option, and get help with tax compliance.
- For accountants: SurePayroll offers an accounting partner program with basic payroll and human resources functionality. There are options to white label the platform, use payroll, and integrate it with existing services.
- Home-based employers: Unlike most payroll platforms, SurePayroll offers features for home-based employers who have caregivers, nannies, or other home workers. It also includes Schedule H, or Home Employment Tax, which home-based employers must report to the IRS.
SurePayroll is not recommended for: - Customers looking for transparent pricing. SurePayroll requires customers to request pricing information. This is a disadvantage for individuals and small businesses looking to scale, as
prices can easily change based on growth.
- Larger businesses: High-growth startups and online businesses may prefer other solutions that make it easier to transition to enterprise platforms.
Our Expert Opinion
SurePayroll is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), human resources professionals, home-based workers, and accountants looking to manage their payroll. It offers integrations, tax filing, benefits management, reporting, and a mobile app. Since the pricing plans aren’t transparent, it can be difficult to determine if it’s the most cost-effective solution for your business. Its core features are ideal for SMBs, but larger businesses may find better options elsewhere.




