From the September 2009 Review of Professional
Payroll Programs
For
small businesses and firms offering payroll services to them, the 1099-Etc A-T-F
Payroll system offers basic payroll management primarily for after-the-fact
payroll and post-payroll/year-end compliance processing, but it is also capable
of performing live payroll. The program is centered around the base W-2/1099
Forms Filer system, with optional modules available for A-T-F Payroll, e-filing
of forms, a forms library and a laser generation utility. The core package,
the laser generation option plus A-T-F and select state electronic filing costs
$255 for a site license that offers compliance for all states and can support
up to 1,999 client businesses with up to 9,999 employees each.
DATA ENTRY & KEY FEATURES:
The 1099-Etc system opens into a small window that offers text-based links to
system maintenance and security tools, along with icons and menus across the
top for opening each of the system’s modules, including A-T-F Payroll.
During client/employer setup, the system allows users to easily copy existing
clients, streamlining this task. After opening a client from a basic selection
list, the system provides a new interface, with access to key payroll functions,
including employer information, deposits, a reports viewer, payroll data input,
check search-ing, reporting, forms, system options and Help.
A-T-F Payroll’s employee selection screen is available from the Input
menu, which opens into a spreadsheet view of all summary employee information.
When editing or adding individual employee information, the system opens to
a tabbed screen that groups information into general, status, payroll parameters,
optional information and a Memo notes tab, in addition to the ability to include
an employee photo with their files. Employees can be assigned up to nine pay
rates, or six pay rates and three miscellaneous rates, and users can track employee
email, HR data and other information. Standard deductions fields for Federal
income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax and two local income
tax are included as well 40 user-defined fields that can be used for additions
(e.g. bonus, commission) or deductions.
The system can be used for salaried and hourly workers, and employees can
be scheduled for any payroll frequency. A-T-F also offers tracking of vacation
and sick time accruals. All calculations are performed after data is entered
and the Calc button is used, including all withholding and pre- and post-tax
deductions. The system offers a direct deposit option through a third party,
or thru an ACH deposit file sent to the client’s bank, with the ability
to assign up to four bank accounts per employee. Two options are available for
electronic filing of returns to the SSA and IRS: The E-File Direct module, which
allows users to directly manage transmission processes, and the vendor’s
E-Filing Services, which handles compliance reporting and W-2/1099 mailings.
REPORTING CAPABILITIES:
The reporting functions in A-T-F are easily accessible from the main menu, with
options for wages, tax summaries, period detail, withholding, liabilities, state
and local reports, check registers, and other output. The system also includes
printable versions of all forms in the 1099 series, plus forms 940, 941, 942,
943, 944, 1042-S, W-2, W-2C and W-3. All printed output, including reports can
be saved as a PDF file. With the addition of the optional Forms-Etc module,
users can access virtually all state and federal forms related to payroll, including
1040 Schedule H, powers of attorney, W-9s, I-9s, W-4s and dozens more.
INTEGRATION/IMPORT & EXPORT:
As an integrated module, A-T-F Payroll shares data as necessary with the 1099-Etc
program, but does not directly integrate with other programs. Users can, however,
go through a two-step export then import option for moving transactional data
into the QuickBooks GL and Quicken. A-T-F can also import em-ployee, employer
and transactional information from QuickBooks and Peachtree.
RELATIVE VALUE:
Although it can be used to manage live payrolls for small entities, A-T-F Payroll
is geared, as its name implies, to after-the-fact processing. The system offers
a basic approach to payroll compliance functions, with many tasks being somewhat
manual, but with generally intuitive and easy-to-use interfaces.
2009 Overall Rating:
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