Archive for March, 2010
Ordinary non-accountants like me view payroll as the money that I get for doing something. My only concern is that I get the right remuneration for what I have done. To the person preparing the payroll it is more than that. His primary concern is the same as mine – to provide the right remuneration for what has been done. But it does not stop there. The accountant should also be able to determine how much tax should be deducted from employees and how much goes to the government.
These and similar matters is just part of the payroll accountant’s main responsibilities. He is also tasked the responsibility of seeing that the wages are actually received by the employees. Today, there are several ways of doing this. One is an actual cash handout by the cashier. Another is payment though the bank. Using check payments is another way. A check payment usually includes detailed information for the employee’s records. The paymaster is better off knowing how QuickBooks payroll prints checks. It will save him a lot of precious time.
All businesses will have to grapple with the problem of managing payroll at one time or another. A major concern is to make sure that there are enough funds when it is payroll time. Another concern is getting the checks in the hands of the employees, on time and in the right amount. This presupposes a team that has the time and capability to make payroll management smooth and easy. This is especially needed in companies with hundreds or even thousands in their payroll list.
QuickBooks software is a solution but it will also require staff that is conversant with how QuickBooks payroll works. With this software, the functions are handled automatically. This will involve different computations for salaried employees and those on hourly wages, not missing commissions and bonuses. It will track data for tax reporting purposes. A late innovation of the QuickBooks payroll software is permitting remote access capabilities. The user pays a monthly subscription fee rather than an upfront fee and accesses the software exclusively through a secure logon via a web browser.
I think it is safe to say that employee payroll is the lifeblood of any business. No payroll, no productivity, so what is the point of keeping a business. Processing of the payroll involves a complicated process that will touch on tracking paid time off, sick days, performance reviews. These should all be computed, stored together with relevant employee data. Keeping tabs of taxes and paying them off is another matter.
Fortunately there is available help in keeping employee payroll accurate and updated. Some businesses outsource their payroll function; others take advantage of enhanced payroll through QuickBooks. It is an easy option for people who are conversant in the accounting process. It can also be helpful for users who may not totally understand standard accounting procedures. Most transactions are recorded using online screens that closely resemble documents that regular staff is familiar with such as invoices and checks.
One of the best features of QuickBooks is its ability to accurately compute wages and taxes. It establishes a very systematic payroll process in place. This software can offer three different systems: online, assisted and QuickBooks basic payroll. The last one is ideal to those who fully understand tax filings. This is also perfect for those who are closely working with an accountant.
QuickBooks basic payroll is available in two packages: up to 3 employees and unlimited employees. This can pay employees in three steps. First, it can create paychecks in just a few minutes. Second, payroll taxes are then automatically and accurately computed. Finally, it generates reports which make it easy for an accountant to work on taxes.
Even before QuickBooks was introduced in the market, most companies already have a system of number of templates that they use for their accounting system. It’s a good thing that QuickBooks & payroll import is possible. This will help eliminate redundancy thus increasing productivity and minimizing time consumed on the payroll process.
QuickBooks & payroll import can be possible by using Intuit Interchange Format (IIF) files. You can then import:
~General Journal Entry
~Credit Refund
~Credit Memo
~Bills payments by check
~Sales tax payment
~Timesheets
Some accountants or business owners are not satisfied with the appearance of the file exported from QuickBooks. They would better understand and analyze the report if it is in Excel format. This is why most companies make sure that Excel payroll spreadsheet for QuickBooks is available. However, this feature is not available in all versions of QuickBooks.
You can extract the Excel payroll spreadsheet for QuickBooks through the QuickBooks report dropdown menu. You may then click on the employees and payroll options which will allow you to summarize payroll data in Excel. However, some would get a security warning. This means that your system cannot enable macros.
Any software will need to be installed and setup correctly so it could effectively and efficiently function and operate. QuickBooks is a very powerful accounting tool or software that covers even payroll system. It is therefore important that you know how to setup payroll in QuickBooks. This should be done correctly to avoid future mispostings or miscalculations.
Below are the steps on how to setup payroll in QuickBooks:
~Choose a payroll option
~Sign up for the payroll service
~Company information set up
~Set up employees
~Year to date amounts should then be set up
~Check payroll data
IRS is very strict in terms of taxation policies. It is therefore paramount that you have an accurate computation of your total income taxes due. QuickBooks payroll tables for tax are included when you purchase this software. This way, you don’t have to buy a separate tax table and manually compute or deduct it against the employees’ gross pay.
QuickBooks payroll tables for tax should always be updated at least every 45 days to avoid future penalties. You can click on “Get Payroll Updates from the employees menu. Then you choose the appropriate download option (entire payroll update, changes and additions to currently installed files or shared download). Finally, click on the update button and you will receive a confirmation message that the update was processed.
One of the best things in automating your accounting system is that most software programs come with an amazing payroll system. This will ensure accurate computation of wages as well as taxes due. QuickBooks online payroll is a revolutionary system that takes away the burdensome task of computing man hours and wages off of the business owner’s back. This aims to simplify the process from computation to payout.
QuickBooks online payroll is so easy to use and very affordable. It processes payroll in three easy steps. First, it creates paychecks online by simply encoding the total number of hours rendered by an employee. Second, it will generate summary of all the paychecks created which will then be approved online. Finally, payments will then be made to employees by check or through direct deposit.
Payroll professionals are required to go through an exam-based certification process.
The first step is the Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) exam specially designed for:
~Entry-level payroll practitioners
~Payroll, HR, and finance consultants
~Sales, service, and technology professionals interfacing with payroll operations
~Systems analysts and engineers developing and implementing payroll software solutions
A person who passes FPC designation will possess payroll knowledge but not necessarily experience. A Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is a person who possesses a high level of professional competency through both the acquisition of knowledge and direct payroll experience. He has to pass an exam for payroll certification but prior to taking the exam a CPP candidate must prove employment in the payroll profession. Once a person passes the CPP exam, it will be an indication that he has enough skills and experience to be able to work with management in the company’s advancement.