CompuPay –– PowerPayroll

Multiple-user access functions include the ability to restrict tasks based
on user role. Company screens provide a tabbed interface that allows entry of
company-wide defaults for deduction categories and accruals management, banking
data and payroll frequencies. Employee screens include a selection list with
options for sorting and filtering by name, department, unit and other factors,
while detailed views use tabs for editing and moving between information categories
for employee-specific job information, pay group/frequency, pay rates, taxes,
earnings, deductions, direct deposit and accruals. Employee pay can be distributed
to up to four accounts. The system also has utilities such as Payroll 101, Power401K
and the Payroll Reminder alerts system.

PowerPayroll includes tax tables for all states and localities and automatically
manages all compliance and reporting functions as a part of the service. The
system handles multi-state employees with an unlimited number of states. Several
methods of data entry and approvals are available, including a quick-run format
that requires only minor editing of default employee hours, and the ability
to import time data from external files, with batch entry-oriented data screens
showing all employees in a payroll run with summary data and sorting options.
In addition to the system’s built-in accruals management functions, CompuPay
also offers several benefits management services, including pay-as-you-go workers’
comp, 401(k), Section 125 and flexible spending plans, COBRA administration,
employee background screening, and additional employer benefits and HR functions.

REPORTING & MONITORING:
With PowerPayroll, all compliance reporting and payments are automatically managed
by the vendor, with payroll run reports noting the funds available and required
in accounts, and alerts notifying users via email as to payroll run dates, compliance
dates and actions required for time approvals and other processes. All states
and localities are supported for wage and new hire reporting. Employee W-2s
and 1099s can be output through the program and either printed locally or managed
as a service by the vendor. Managerial reports include payroll summaries, wages,
taxes, deductions, registers and other options with all historical years available.
All reports can be saved to Microsoft Word, Excel, PDF, HTML and text formats,
allowing for excellent customization capabilities. Employee overview screens
are simple, with basic data, along with histories and reporting options.

INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT:
PowerPayroll integrates with the other services and programs available from
CompuPay, including the HR and benefits management solutions, and can import
data from text and spreadsheet formats, enabling data acquisition from time
clock systems. The program includes a GL export function for generating reports
into Excel or balanced payroll files that can be imported into QuickBooks and
other accounting programs. CompuPay also offers a web-based timekeeping and
attendance management program that offers employee time entry via swipe and
biometric clocks, telephone, web-entry and mobile devices.

HELP/SUPPORT:
The PowerPayroll system is very simple to use and offers streamlined data entry
that shouldn’t require much assistance, although a basic Help utility
link is available within the program. Additional resources on the vendor’s
resource center website include payroll tools and calculators, form downloads,
FAQs, and training options. No user community is available. The web-based program
and its tax tables are automatically updated by the vendor. Live, phone-based
technical support is included with pricing.

CLIENT SELF-SERVICE FUNCTIONS:
Since the program is designed for secure, web-based entry of employee data by
employers, with CompuPay managing the compliance aspects, PowerPayroll provides
good access options, including user-level access rights within the system. It
also offers employee self-service logins for viewing paystubs and W-2s, but
does not offer benefits management integration. PowerPayroll can be cobranded
with a firm’s logo and colors.

SUMMARY & PRICING
PowerPayroll is designed for direct use by businesses, but can be used by accountants
managing client payrolls, as well. The system is intuitive and gives quick access
to employee data, while simplifying payroll processing functions and providing
HR and benefits management options. Pricing is based on the number of employees
and the frequency of payroll runs, with a biweekly, 10-employee payroll costing
about $67 per run (includes tax service, direct deposit, new hire reporting
and access to HR & Benefits Essentials, an HR library).

2010 OVERALL RATING: