2018 Review of Intuit Online Payroll for Accounting Professionals

From the 2018 reviews of professional payroll systems.

Intuit Online Payroll for Accounting Professionals is designed for accounting professionals that are offering payroll and related services to their clients. Though the product can be used as a stand-alone payroll option, Intuit Online Payroll works best for firms using other Intuit/QuickBooks Products.

As an online product, users can access and enter payroll data from anywhere using any type of device, including a desktop system, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. Users can also set up clients to enter their own payroll data online through an employee portal. The Client Overview Screen offers a convenient view of all clients, with an option to access firm payroll as well.

Intuit Online Payroll notifies users via email when a pay date is approaching. Once a client is chosen, the user can simply click “Pay Day” in the top navigation to enter payroll information. The product supports a variety of pay types, including commissions, allowances, reimbursements, overtime, and sick time. Once the appropriate detail is entered, users can click “Create Paychecks” to process payroll. Employees can be paid via direct deposit, printed paychecks, or by manual check, when necessary.

Intuit Online Payroll supports tax calculations in all 50 states, and users will receive email notifications when taxes are due to be paid. Intuit Online Payroll does not impound taxes, letting users choose when to pay the tax liability. The product also supports quarterly tax filings such as 941 and state unemployment forms as well as year-end processing of W-2s and 1099s. Forms are automatically filled out, and filed electronically where possible, with forms and coupons available to print for mailing when necessary.

Intuit Online Payroll offers a good selection of payroll, employee, and tax reports, including Tax Liability, Total Pay, and Tax and Wage Summary reports. Payroll Summary and Payroll Detail reports are available as well. Reports offer basic customization capability, with users able to export reports to Microsoft Excel for further customization if desired. Users can also create custom report groups for each client, ensuring that each client receives the reports best suited for their needs.  

Intuit Online Payroll offers easy integration with Intuit’s Online Time Tracking function, with system users able to track time using the online Time Clock, or by entering time in the timesheet. Time data can also be imported directly into Intuit Online Payroll from an Excel spreadsheet.

Intuit Online Payroll for Accountants offers complete integration with other Intuit products such as QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks for Mac, and Quicken. This creates a seamless process of information across products. The product also integrates with Peachtree.

Intuit Online Payroll offers easy client access via an employee portal, with users able to provide complete access to payroll, which includes complete time entry functionality, or limit access to employee paystubs. Client employees can also be notified via email when paystubs are available for viewing or downloading.

Intuit Online Payroll for Accounting Professionals does not offer HR tools or resources, but the product does offer access to a variety of payroll resources that are designed to assist with payroll law and new hire information. Intuit Online Payroll also offers a variety of marketing materials and templates that firms can use as they wish.

The product offers product support during regular business hours. A product demo, access to the online help system, and FAQs are available to users as well.  

Intuit Online Payroll for Accountants is designed specifically for accounting firms that wish to offer payroll and related services to their clients and with the seamless integration, fits best with firms that are currently using QuickBooks or QuickBooks Online. Pricing for the product starts at $35.00 for a single client plus $2 per employee, with prices dropping significantly as additional clients are added.

2018 Overall Payroll Rating – 4.5 Stars