Frequently Asked Questions

How large is your company and how long have you been in business?

We are a small unlimited independent company processing payrolls since April 1996. More>

How much do you charge and how does your price structure work?

Our price depends on the level of service required and the number of employees.  Our minimum price is £35.00.  The average wage slip cost over our minimum payroll cost range from £1.50 - £5.00.  More>

I have see cheaper quotes.  What's the difference?

Some companies prefer a bureau service whereas some prefer a fully managed payroll service. Our prices are very competitive based on the same comparative quality service.  This is achieved through our highly efficient operations.  We do not compromise on the quality for the payroll service tailored for your type of business nor do we sell on price alone.

However, choosing what appears to be the cheapest payroll service provider may incur unforeseen costs. Cheaper quotes are stripped of essentials such as the annual returns. Inferior Bureaus don't often have the basic ISO9001 quality systems or BACS Approval Status. Our 360+ clients choose us for the quality of our payroll services, not just price.

Is there a setup charge and if so,  how does the set up cost charge change depending on the number of employees?

In many cases, a setup charge is not levied. It depends on the business type, how the data is presented, how far we are in the current tax year and the software being used.

Our setup charges if applied will always includes a full payroll audit More>

What type of reports are included in the monthly payroll fee?

Payslips, summary reports, summarised double entry journal, tax bill remittance report are all included. Customised payroll reports and bespoke wageslips are available.  Email pdf option is also available.  More>

Can we see an example of a payslip?

Visit our payslip page.  We always include samples of some of our payslips in our information pack. These can be supplied loose, security sealed, enveloped or emailed. 

We can even post the payslips direct to your employees home address or email the pay advice direct to their mailbox - password protected. More>

Can we see samples of some of your output reports?

See our online brochure or our payroll reports page. We also include sample reports in our information pack. 

Can you pay our staff and the tax bill for us?

As a BACS Approved Bureau, we can handle your staff payments for you. The tax bill is normally paid separately to HMRC on the 22nd of the following month.  If nil payment is due, we can even submit that too so that you don't get any non payment reminders. More>

Do you submit the annual returns electronically to HMRC and the NHS Pension Agency?

We submit all annual returns electronically. HMRC will pay small employers with 50 or less staff an online filing incentive. Our end of year services includes a full reconciliation of the amount that should have been paid each month against the total amount submitted on the P35.  There is no additional charge for the annual return as this is included in our fee. More>

One of our staff wants us to provider childcare vouchers.  can you do this for us?

This is known as a ‘salary sacrifice’ scheme which we can operate for you. Childcare fees are exempt from Tax and National Insurance so parents will save the taxes on the part of their salary they take as vouchers.    Your company will also save on the employers national insurance.

We have several deductions such as Attachments of Earnings, Court Orders, Union subs, loans, child support, etc. Can your system handle this?

We can handle all types of deductions and we will even provide a remittance advice for you to accompany with the payment to the third party.

How secure is the data?

We keep onsite and offsite backups of the payroll data. We also have a warm site as contingency where the data is duplicated on another computer and we hold a support contract with a local IT firm.

How do we setup our payroll with you?

A letter will be sent to you listing the information we require upon receipt of our Payroll Service Application form and the File by Internet Agents Authority. We will also email you an Excel template to collect your staff details, pay rates and pay elements. 

If we are starting part way in the tax year, we will require your existing P11s and your last payslips as we like to do a parallel run and a full audit.  Information can be supplied to us electronically.  In some cases, we can convert your existing payroll data.  More>

How do we communicate payroll data and changes to you?

Through an emailed excel timesheet, fax, internet submission or post. Our changes and amendments area on the web portal has a personalised P46 as well as interface excel template to collect change of address or bank details. Our web based starter forms have been going strong since year 2001 which includes a postcode address and bank account validator. More>

I have so much to do. How do I remember to submit my timesheet?

If you are late in submitting your timesheet, our systems will automatically email you a friendly reminder each month 5 days before payday.

What are your quality control procedures to ensure mistakes do not occur?

We have a 4 tier checking system conforming to ISO9001, Payroll and Accountancy standards which includes variances and reconciliations. Our staff can tell you instantly the status of your payroll, when it came in, when it was keyed and if there are any queries requiring clarification.  More>

Can you pay our staff direct into their bank accounts?

The main high street banks offers the BACSTEL-IP facility and may be able to sponsor you. We can help with the BACS application forms. Provided your bank allocates you with a BACS User number,  we can pay your staff and even your tax bill direct. 

How can we be sure you keep abreast of the latest payroll legislative changes?

We are completely up to-date with the frequent changes in government policy. Information is posted in the customer support area of our website on a weekly basis. This is paramount in payroll processing and in our view, is essential. More>

Can you administer sick, maternity, paternity pay for us?

We automatically calculate sick, maternity/adoption and paternity pay for you in accordance with legislation and your employment contract. All we require is evidence such as a MATB1 for maternity pay. 

How do we get legislative support?

We compile and email clients regular newsletters and budget summaries to keep them informed of the ever moving legislative goalpost. You can also telephone or email us for advice or visit the support area of our website.  More>

What systems do you use and is it HMRC accredited?

We use Sage payroll in conjunction with our own internal SQL database system for reporting. We also have our own company website system to collect data such as new joiners, changes and amendments.

What about risk management and serious payroll errors?

We have professional indemnity insurance as well as business interruption and employers public liability. No claims have ever been made as we have a 99.99% payroll processing accuracy rate.

How do we pay you?

We email you our invoice at the end of the month following the payroll processing. The invoice payment are automatically taken care of as we can collect out fees by variable direct debit in arrears 19 days later.

Are your staff fully trained?

We are all fully trained qualified payroll and Accountancy personnel with combined qualifications at management and degree level including the Diploma In Payroll management and NVQ Payroll.  We are an AAT Accredited employer and we have gained the Investors In People standard.  More>

Can we arrange a meeting to discuss more?

Yes. You can visit us on site to see our operation and meet our team. We understand that many small companies do not have time for meetings hence the reason we post our comprehensive information pack for review..   More>