2019 Review of Client Accounting Suite with Payroll

From the 2019 review of professional payroll systems.

Client Accounting Suite with Payroll from Wolters Kluwer is well suited for smaller accounting firms that offer payroll and related services to clients. The payroll module is part of the Client Accounting Suite, though it can also be used as a stand-alone payroll application. Both the Client Accounting Suite and the included payroll module are designed exclusively for accounting professionals and are not offered to other businesses.

The Client Accounting Suite with Payroll includes a dashboard, where users can choose from a variety of options, including entering time data, calculating payroll, selecting payroll checks to be processed, posting payroll, and checking account reconciliation. The dashboard is completely customizable, with users able to display only the features and functions needed. Users can choose any or all clients to run payroll for, and the dashboard also provides a summary of the last payroll that was processed for each active client. Both quarter to date and year to date totals are displayed on the dashboard as well. In addition to the payroll features, users can also access a number of system functions from the dashboard, including File, Lists, Activities, QuickLooks, Reports, and Utilities.

Users can enter payroll data for each employee, or pay employees using the auto pay feature, which will display the default amount for each employee; a perfect solution for clients that have a lot of salaried employees. Users will only need to add time or other information if the default data changes. Client Accounting Suite with Payroll supports direct deposit as well as MICR check printing, and supports a variety of benefits and deductions including expense reimbursements, tipped employees, third-party sick pay, commissions, and garnishments. Client Accounting Suite with Payroll supports an unlimited number of clients as well as an unlimited number of employees for each client, and after-the-fact payroll is available as an add-on module.  

Client Accounting Suite with Payroll contains tax tables for all 50 states, with local tax jurisdictions supported as well. Federal tax forms for Form 940, 941, 943 and 944 are easily created in the Client Accounting Suite with Payroll, but the use of Payroll Compliance Reporting from Wolters Kluwer  is necessary in order to file the forms electronically. For W-2s and 1099s, you can create files for upload to SSA or FIRE systems, or you can import them into the Payroll Compliance Reporting product to create and transmit e-files.

Client Accounting Suite with Payroll offers a good selection of Payroll, Employee, and Benefits History reports, including an Employees report, Employees Deductions, Employee Garnishments, and a New Hire report. Reports offer little in the way of customization, but all reports can be exported to Microsoft Excel if customization is desired. Reports can also be exported as a text file, emailed directly to recipients from the report screen, or saved as a PDF. The product does not offer direct integration with time keeping applications, but users can import time data from a variety of third-party time keeping applications in text file format. 

Client Accounting Suite with Payroll is available as an add-on module for the Client Accounting Suite, and seamlessly integrates with other Wolters Kluwer modules including GL, After-the-Fact Payroll, AP, and AR. Integration with third-party applications is limited, though data can be imported and converted from QuickBooks and Sage 50 if desired. There is no client portal available in the application and Client Accounting Suite with Payroll does not include any HR resources at this time.

Client Accounting Suite with Payroll includes excellent help functionality, with easy access to a variety of help topics, a product user guide, and other payroll related resources, including a direct deposit guide and a year-end payroll guide. FAQs and user guides are also available. All Wolters Kluwer applications offer unlimited support, which includes telephone, email, fax, and online support, with the cost of support included in the application. A variety of product training options and webinars are also available directly from the Wolters Kluwer website.

Client Accounting Suite with Payroll from Wolters Kluwer  is a good fit for accounting firms that currently use other Wolters Kluwer applications, particularly the Client Accounting Suite. The payroll module can also be used as a stand-alone payroll solution. Client Accounting Suite with Payroll is priced separately from the Client Accounting Suite, with pricing available directly from Wolters Kluwer.  Users can also request a demo of the payroll application from Wolters Kluwer to try out prior to purchasing. 

2019 Rating: 4.5 Stars