best bookkeeping and payroll software for small business

Leveraging my accounting and bookkeeping expertise, I rigorously assess software using our internal case study that objectively scores key features while upholding editorial independence. Small businesses may be able to find a less expensive basic plan, while larger businesses may need to upgrade to a more expensive standard or premium bookkeeping plan. Once I finished answering the setup questions, I was given access to the platform.

best bookkeeping and payroll software for small business

Integration Options

Through its multi-channel approach, businesses get instant assistance to reduce business interruptions. The system includes 24/7 Chat Support in combination with Community Forums and an Online Knowledge Base and Phone Support for business hours and Email Support. The onboarding process uses guided setup wizards along with tutorial resources which enable new users to learn QuickBooks Online efficiently. We searched for tools that deliver quality value through reasonable costs even though they maintain fundamental functionalities.

Best Payroll Services For Small Business Of 2025

We also considered whether there was a free trial, monthly pricing, and a discount for new customers. After determining the pricing score, we assigned a value score based on the pricing score and the solution’s total score across all categories except Value. Another limitation I’ve noticed is its lack of collaboration features, as it’s a desktop-only software. For businesses needing better collaboration tools, I recommend exploring cloud-based options like Zoho Books, QuickBooks Online, or Xero. You must pay extra for features that come standard with other software like Zoho Books and QuickBooks Online. For instance, live bank feeds cost an extra $5 per month and telephone support costs another $10 per month.

best bookkeeping and payroll software for small business

Employee Monitoring

The best payroll software reduces the time and effort required for a business to run its payroll at a price that won’t break its budget. Desktop accounting software can go as high as more than $1,000 per month, depending on the number of users included in the plan. Ideally, a mobile app should have all the same features as the computer platform, including the ability to capture receipts, send invoices, receive payments, enter and pay bills, and view reports. Receipt capture and the ability to automatically generate bills from captured receipts were also part of our A/P evaluation.

best bookkeeping and payroll software for small business

  • Gusto Plus offers a similar set of features and costs $60.00 per month plus $9.00 per employee per month for the first six months, after which it costs $80.00 per month plus $12.00 per employee per month.
  • With this tool, gross wage payments before taxes are calculated based on net payment amounts.
  • The implementation of business management software leads to substantial improvements in both the operational efficiency and productivity levels within small businesses.
  • I was then taken through a two-step process to verify my identity using my email and mobile phone.

When running payroll, it allows you to take into account wage garnishments and time-off requests. You can also integrate the payroll feature with Paycor’s time and attendance tool to track employee hours and pay them accurately. Available as an add-on in the RUN by ADP’s payroll plans, the software offers time and attendance tracking with advanced features. Employees can clock in using their mobile devices, computers or an on-premise kiosk. Further, biometric and geo-fencing features ensure the right person is clocking in or out at the right time and location.

Unlike QuickBooks Online bookkeeping and payroll services and Wave, this feature helps you monitor whether your project is over or under budget, so you can adjust your plans or spending accordingly. However, if you need inventory and COGS tracking, I suggest looking into QuickBooks Online for teams with five or fewer users and Xero for larger teams. QuickBooks Online is my top pick for small business accounting software because it’s widely recognized and trusted by both business owners and accountants. I also love how adaptable it is—you can customize it for different industries, whether you’re running a church, restaurant, or nonprofit.

  • Wave Payroll’s straightforward payroll timesheets show pay numbers for hourly and salaried workers.
  • The dynamic statements feature allows businesses to craft balance sheets, cash flow statements and custom earnings reports that mirror their unique financial health.
  • With its straightforward accounting software, QuickBooks is an easy favorite amongst freelancers, and not just because many of them bundle it when filing their own taxes with TurboTax.
  • QuickBooks Payroll’s interface has next to no learning curve, and its well-reviewed employer-facing mobile app makes on-the-go payroll easier.
  • It will also reduce the amount of time you have to spend on redundant data entry.
  • The software platform provides extraordinary levels of help and support, ranging from basic online tutorials to personal consultations with professional bookkeepers.

Add-Ons and Extras

The company engages client companies in a co-employment relationship, serving as an employer of record for your employees. Wave Payroll customers posting reviews on product rating sites like that the software is extremely easy to use and set up, is affordable and has free features such as invoicing. TriNet helps small businesses save money by looking for tax credits for each company. For example, it allows you to input tax credit information into the payroll system and then prepares forms 8974 and 941 for you to claim those credits. The next step prompts you to enter any paid time off that employees Car Dealership Accounting took during the pay period. From there, Gusto lets you preview the payroll run in the third step before submitting payroll.

best bookkeeping and payroll software for small business

  • Use it to facilitate direct deposit as well as to manage payroll checks, taxes and reporting.
  • It makes processing employee payments easy, and if you’re busy using both hands, you can use its Voice Assist feature to run payroll.
  • What stands out to me is that Zoho Books goes beyond mobile features with solid inventory and project accounting tools.
  • Some common steps to manage your business’ accounting include a few processes involving a company’s overall record-keeping methods, taxes, forecasting, budgeting, and more.

Selecting the right HRIS system for your small business can be challenging with so many options available. Focus on scalability, user-friendliness, integration, and customer feedback to find a solution that fits your needs. The answer is yes and that is because, just like a machine or a platform, this software requires training, expertise and experience. QuickBooks is a great way to manage your business’s finances and it might sound like the solution to all of your financial inquiries in one (which it is!), but it requires work on your part. It is one of those tasks you don’t foresee yourself doing when you first imagine yourself as a small business owner.