Enhanced Payroll vs. Assisted Payroll: Choosing the Right Payroll Service for Your Needs

Enhanced Payroll and Assisted Payroll are both designed to simplify the payroll process, but they cater to different types of businesses. Enhanced Payroll is ideal for businesses that prefer a more hands-on approach, offering greater control over payroll processing. On the other hand, Assisted Payroll provides a more comprehensive service, where many of the payroll responsibilities are handled by experts. 

Understanding the differences and specific use cases for each can help you make an informed decision about which service best suits your business.

What is Enhanced Payroll?

Enhanced Payroll is a payroll service offered by QuickBooks that allows businesses to process payroll in-house with significant support from the software. It includes features such as automatic tax calculations, direct deposit, and electronic tax filing, making it easier for businesses to manage payroll independently while staying compliant with federal and state regulations.

When to Use Enhanced Payroll?

1. Small Businesses with Simple Payroll Needs: Enhanced Payroll is perfect for small businesses with straightforward payroll requirements. If you have a small team with consistent pay schedules and few variations in payroll, Enhanced Payroll offers the tools you need to manage payroll efficiently without needing extensive payroll expertise.
2. Businesses Seeking Cost-Effective Solutions: For companies looking to save on payroll processing costs, Enhanced Payroll provides a cost-effective solution. By handling payroll in-house, businesses can avoid the higher fees associated with full-service payroll providers while still benefiting from automated features and tax compliance assistance.
3. Companies with In-House Accounting Teams: If your business has an in-house accounting or HR team, Enhanced Payroll can be a great fit. The software empowers your team to manage payroll processes internally, leveraging their expertise while providing the necessary tools to handle payroll accurately and efficiently.
4. Businesses Wanting Control Over Payroll: Enhanced Payroll offers businesses greater control over their payroll processes. You can run payroll at your convenience, make adjustments as needed, and ensure that all payroll data remains in-house, providing peace of mind regarding data security and management.
5. Companies Needing Payroll Flexibility: Enhanced Payroll is suitable for businesses that require flexibility in their payroll processes. Whether you need to run payroll weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, the software adapts to your schedule and allows you to manage different types of employee payments, including bonuses and commissions.

Learn more about Enhanced Payroll.

What is Assisted Payroll?

Assisted Payroll is a more comprehensive payroll service offered by QuickBooks, where payroll processing is managed by payroll experts. This service includes full-service payroll processing, tax filing, and compliance, ensuring that all payroll-related tasks are handled accurately and on time, with minimal effort required from the business owner.

When to Use Assisted Payroll?

1. Medium to Large Businesses with Complex Payroll Needs: Assisted Payroll is ideal for businesses with larger teams and more complex payroll requirements. If your business has multiple pay schedules, diverse employee types (salaried, hourly, contractors), and needs to manage benefits and deductions, Assisted Payroll can handle these complexities efficiently.
2. Companies Lacking Payroll Expertise: For businesses without dedicated payroll staff or expertise, Assisted Payroll provides the necessary support. Payroll experts manage all aspects of payroll processing, ensuring accuracy and compliance, and allowing business owners to focus on other critical tasks.
3. Businesses Looking to Outsource Payroll Tasks: If you prefer to outsource payroll tasks to reduce administrative burden, Assisted Payroll is a suitable choice. The service handles payroll processing, tax filings, and compliance, reducing the workload on your internal team and minimizing the risk of errors.
4. Businesses Concerned About Compliance: Assisted Payroll is beneficial for companies that prioritize compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations. Payroll experts stay updated on tax laws and ensure that all filings are completed accurately and on time, helping businesses avoid penalties and legal issues.
5. Companies Seeking Reliable Payroll Support: Assisted Payroll offers robust support from payroll experts, providing peace of mind that payroll is being handled by professionals. This support includes answering payroll-related questions, assisting with tax notices, and ensuring that all payroll processes run smoothly.

Explore the differences between Assisted and Enhanced Payroll.

Best Way to Get Assisted or Enhanced Payroll

The best way to access Enhanced or Assisted Payroll services is through QuickBooks Enterprise. If you bundle QuickBooks Enhanced Payroll with QuickBooks Enterprise Gold or Platinum, you get Enhanced Payroll included at no extra cost. This means you won’t have to pay the monthly base subscription fee or a per-employee monthly fee. However, additional fees apply when paying contractors via direct deposit. QuickBooks Enterprise also offers unlimited payroll for up to three companies without additional charges, unlike adding it separately, where each company would require its own subscription fee. This can be particularly beneficial if you have many employees, multiple companies, or both.

For QuickBooks Assisted Payroll, new customers who upgrade to QuickBooks Enterprise Diamond receive it as part of their package. The Diamond plan also allows you to run payroll for up to three companies at no extra charge, making it an excellent value for those managing multiple businesses.

Ready to Enjoy the Benefits of Enhanced or Assisted Payroll?

If you are ready to take advantage of the benefits offered by Enhanced or Assisted Payroll, contact Paygration. Our experts can help you set up and optimize your payroll processes to meet your business needs. We offer expert guidance and support to ensure that you make the most of your payroll service, whether you choose Enhanced or Assisted Payroll. To get started with Paygration and enjoy streamlined payroll services, call 866-949-7267.