10 Reviews: Best Payroll Software for Accountants (Apr 2024)

OnPay may be a smart option to consider if you require free assistance changing payroll agencies, including the migration of prior period payroll data. OnPay offers a single plan at the price listed on their website. The first month is free, then the monthly charge is $36 plus $4 per person. OnPay may be an excellent fit for your business if you’re paying contractors or part-time employees because you’re only invoiced for the people you actually pay during the month. You select the workers you want to pay and then enter their hours or earnings before running payroll.

"User-friendly, excellent customer support, super easy on a small budget and I am 100% comfortable in leaving everything in their capable hands. Simply click a button on payday and it's done."

by Tina S.

Paychex Flex offers a variety of solutions for accountants to manage payroll management in their offices. You can start with a less-priced, less robust plan and upgrade as needed. The most basic option is Paychex Flex Essentials, which costs $39 per month + $5 per employee. Paychex Flex Select, Paychex Flex Pro, and Paychex Flex Enterprise, which provide more advanced features, have quote-based pricing. With the Select and Pro plans, you get more services, such as a dedicated payroll specialist to help you with tax or payroll issues.

"... There are three basic tiers of payroll service, created to serve a single self-employed person, small and medium-sized businesses, and companies with more than one thousand employees.."

by US News

Quickbooks Online is a web-based accounting tool that helps accountants manage all areas of their finances. The software can be used for bookkeeping, payroll, invoice administration, bank reconciliation, expense monitoring, financial reporting, tax management, and more. Subscription-based programs are charged on a monthly basis, with the opportunity to cancel at any time. A free expert setup is included with every subscription. It has an easy-to-use spending tracker with cleanly separated sections based on tax filing requirements. 

"...It’s easy to keep thorough, detailed records with QuickBooks Online. When you’re adding an expense, for example, you have the option of adding reference numbers, permit numbers, attachments and memos. You can also split the expense into multiple categories or items...."

by nerdwallet

Rippling is a simple online payroll solution that also offers HR and IT support that is helpful for accountants. The software requires very little training to get started. It takes only 90 seconds to finish. Rippling is so simple to use that both administrators and employees will be up and running in no time. All of Rippling’s essential features, such as personnel, payroll, and reporting, are accessible from the main menu. The payroll interface is similarly clean and well-organized, with key data such as total hours worked and total labor expenses displayed right away. Rippling works with more than 400 apps, including accounting tools such as QuickBooks, NetSuite, and Xero. Apps like Google Workspace and Slack will be supported as well.

"Fantastic. Everything from the implementation to our daily use, this has been one of the best product purchases I’ve ever made. Plus, my boss ([SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN] ) absolutely loves Rippling and has even talked about it at our board meeting! Good stuff all around and I have recommended it to at least a dozen colleagues in my local market."

by Derrick M.

For those who are looking for the best payroll software for accountants, this software offers three new business options, each with a different pricing range and focusing on different demands. Although its Core Plan, which costs $39 per month plus $6 per employee, isn’t the cheapest we found, it’s still reasonable and includes everything you need to process payroll. Unlimited payroll runs, direct payment, tax filings, W-2s and 1099s, and much more are included with Gusto’s three memberships. In most states, Gusto offers health insurance, which you can utilize to create a benefits package for your employees.

"..It has steadily improved over the years, adding new functionality recently in areas like user permissions, state payroll tax registration, global contractor payments, and HR support tools. ..."

by PC Mag

Patriot Payroll is a payroll system designed for businesses with up to 100 employees. There are two versions of the software, both of which are free to try for 30 days. The basic plan is $10 per month + $4 per employee or contractor. Standard payroll services are available, but you must pay and file payroll taxes on your own. The software includes functions such as payroll setup and support. Payroll runs are unlimited, and employees have access to an employee site, as well as direct deposit and the ability to print checks. Worker’s compensation, accounting, and time management integrations

“As a small business owner, there is no substitute for Patriot payroll software. Easy to use and very flexible. Highly recommended.”

by Joel

SurePayroll is a Paychex company that provides many of the same services as Paychex, but its software is simpler and less expensive. It offers a partner program for CPAs that includes a platform for managing customers, dedicated support, and wholesale pricing, in addition to full-service payroll, tax filings, basic HR capabilities, and access to benefits packages. SurePayroll’s payroll accountant cost isn’t listed on its website, but you can easily get an estimate from the company. It also provides two free user seats after which it charges $3 per employee each month for each additional employee; W-2/1099 filings are $45 + $4.50 per tax form.

"SurePayroll’s partner accountant program also includes free account setup and free access to its payroll tool that you can use for your firm—provided you have 10 or more clients. Flexible billing options are also available."

by FitSmallBusiness

ADP is popular among businesses because it offers a comprehensive collection of payroll and HR solutions as well as scalable plans and products for startups, small businesses, midsize businesses, and large corporations. ADP also provides a free version of their Accountant Connect service, which includes a client dashboard that allows you to quickly access your customers’ data, tax forms, and other reports. It also gives you access to compensation benchmark data, help desk support, and marketing resources, as well as a revenue-sharing scheme if your clients use ADP for payroll.

"Accountants who sign up in the ADP Revenue Share Incentive Program earn dividends whenever their clients use ADP’s suite of HR and payroll solutions. Other perks include access to marketing resources, learning courses, and help desk support."

by FitSmallBusiness

Homebase improves the payroll process, allowing you to pay employees in seconds which is useful for accountants. It will automatically convert your timesheets into payroll hours and wages. Homebase calculates and distributes wages and taxes to employees, the state, and the IRS. Your tax returns, including 1099s and W-2s, can also be processed automatically. Having all of your data in one place can save you time and reduce errors. 

"I honestly have not thought about payroll since switching to Homebase Payroll—which is the best endorsement I can give a platform designed to make you more efficient or take away a once tedious task. WE LOVE IT."

by Eric Murphy

Unlimited payroll runs, direct deposit, check, or cash app, tax filing and payments, employee app, live payroll setup support, workers’ compensation insurance, healthcare, and retirement benefits, and HR partners to help with compliance are just a few of the features of Square’s full-service payroll program. As an accountant you can do payroll, sync staff hours, alter permissions, and review sales from your phone using the square team management integration. There are no long-term obligations with Square, and you can cancel or stop billing at any time.

"You don’t need five different systems to run a business. With Square, it’s all in one which makes it easy—and it’s affordable!"

by Heli Prilliman