Payroll questions

[cricketmum84]

Hi all,

I'm looking at setting up as self employed offering a full payroll service to small employers (less than 100 employees).

I've set up a survey here: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/J8HG6WH. To try and gather some information.

I'd be interested to hear any thoughts on small businesses outsourcing payroll, whether it's gone good or bad in the past and why? Also what you would love to have in your current payroll that you can't currently have, what isn't necessary? Whether you would be willing to change providers and why or why not?
Thanks!!

[Monday55]

I use sage and do it myself. In this day and age where software is plenty doing payroll isn't a sweat job like it was back in the day. You press a button and HMRC has all your info in seconds.

[sasparilla1]

I have to agree with Monday. I use Moneysoft Payroll Manager and it costs less than £70 per annum. Roughly 5-6 hours labour per month. Do for me it wouldn't be cost effective.

What do you think you can offer that would persuade people to use you?

[cricketmum84]

Thanks @Monday55 and @sasparilla1 for your responses :)

I suppose my added value would be the expertise. I track all legislation changes and can tell you what effect they would have on your business. I would also take care of all the auto enrolment duties which can be tricky when you have more employees. I could also advise on staff benefits, ways to make tax savings and implement these.

Maybe I should be looking to target bigger company's - say 50-100 employees?

[clairethewitch70]

I run a small business and we do payroll ourselves. Not cost effective to outsource. The other things such as tax savings and staff benefits etc, our accountant advises on. Sorry for the debby downer, but thats the way it is.

Bigger businesses are more likely to have the software I think. Have you thought about setting up a business helping people with their self assessment tax returns?

[shutlingsloe]

I use Kashflow payroll- they advise of all legislation changes and it sorts the auto enrolment too - I have fewer than ten employees.