Is a Payroll Service Affordable for Small Businesses?

Managing payroll can be a time-consuming and complex task for small businesses. It involves calculating wages, deducting taxes, handling employee benefits, and ensuring compliance with ever-changing tax laws. As a small business owner, you may wonder if outsourcing payroll services is affordable and worth considering. The answer is YES; your small business can save time without breaking the bank by working with Horizon to manage payroll processing. 

How Much Horizon's Payroll Services Cost For Small Businesses

The cost of outsourcing payroll can vary, typically based on factors such as the number of employees, frequency of pay runs, and additional services required. 

Cost of Bi-Weekly Payroll Based on the Number of Employees (5-50 Employees)

Per-employee pricing models are an easy way to understand how affordable it is for a small business to use our payroll management services. 

• 5 employees = $46 bi-weekly ($9.20 per employee)
• 10 employees = $59 bi-weekly ($5.90 per employee)
• 20 employees = $80 bi-weekly ($4.00 per employee)
• 50 employees = $133 bi-weekly ($2.66 per employee)

In addition to payroll processing, this bi-weekly cost includes filing payroll taxes, deductions, electronic checks, and more. If you want a personalized quote for your payroll processing, or to talk about the additional services that we offer, reach out to Scott Langer via email at scottl@horizonpayroll.com.

As you continue reading this article, we will explore the benefits of outsourcing payroll, the cost factors involved, and why working with Horizon can be a viable solution for small businesses, regardless of how many employees you have! 

What is a Payroll Service?

It's important to understand what a payroll service entails. A payroll service provider is a third-party company that manages various aspects of payroll processing on behalf of businesses. These services typically include calculating and disbursing employee wages, handling tax deductions, filing tax forms, and managing other payroll and HR-related tasks. 

Outsourcing Payroll Can Bring Many Benefits

Small businesses often struggle to allocate time and resources to payroll management. Outsourcing this crucial function can bring several benefits, enabling business owners to focus on their core operations. It also removes some risk, as a payroll service specializes in understanding labor and tax laws, removing that burden of understanding those regulations from you and your team. 

Optimizing Time and Business Resources

One of the primary advantages of outsourcing payroll is the time it saves. Small business owners can reclaim the hours spent on payroll tasks and redirect them toward activities that drive growth and profitability. By leaving the complexities of payroll to experts, businesses can optimize their internal resources and improve overall efficiency. 

Eliminate Employee Mistakes with Payroll and Tax Compliance

Payroll errors can lead to significant consequences, including penalties and dissatisfied employees. Outsourcing payroll to professionals minimizes the risk of mistakes, ensuring accurate calculations and timely tax filings. Additionally, payroll service providers stay current with the latest tax regulations, reducing tax compliance burden on small businesses. 

Focusing Energy on Growing Your Business

For small business owners, time is a valuable asset. By outsourcing payroll, entrepreneurs can concentrate on strategic initiatives that focus on growing their businesses. Rather than being bogged down by administrative tasks, they can invest their energy in areas such as marketing, customer acquisition, client satisfaction, and product development. 

Cost Factors of Payroll Services for a Small Business

While the benefits of outsourcing payroll are evident, the cost factors associated with these services vary depending on several factors. You will have to weigh the benefits versus cost to determine if outsourcing payroll is right for you and your team. Remember, it is not an all or nothing scenario. You may have a good handle on some payroll aspects but not others. Most payroll companies, like Horizon, offer customized solutions to meet you where you are! 

Payroll Frequency

The frequency of payroll processing can influence the cost of payroll services. If your business pays employees weekly or biweekly, the frequency of calculations and processing increases, potentially impacting the cost. However, Horizon Payroll offers scalable pricing models to accommodate different pay frequencies. 

Number of Employees on Your Payroll

The number of employees on your payroll is another important consideration. Generally, the more employees you have, the higher the cost of payroll services, but the lower per person cost. You may also need to consider the type of employees you have on your team. Do you have all W2 employees, or are some 1099 contractors?  

Does Your Business Pay via Direct Deposit or Paper Checks?

If your business prefers issuing paper checks, additional costs may be associated with setting up and maintaining the necessary infrastructure. Paper checks require printing paystubs, postage, and distribution, whereas direct deposit eliminates these expenses. A payroll services company like Horizon can walk you through the advantages and costs associated with all of the ways to pay your employees. It's essential to consider these factors when evaluating the affordability of payroll services for small businesses. 

Benefits Administration if Needed

If your business offers employee benefits such as health insurance or retirement plans, you may require assistance with benefits administration. This can be a great option to outsource because of the complexities of dealing with insurance companies. Some payroll service providers offer integrated benefits administration solutions, but these additional services can impact the overall cost. 

Payroll Software Integration

If your business already uses payroll software, ensuring compatibility with the payroll service provider is important. Integration can streamline processes and reduce the time spent on data entry and manual calculations. However, there may be costs associated with software integration or utilizing extra payroll features. Your payroll provider can detail these costs. 

Additional Tax Compliance Services

Apart from standard tax compliance services, some payroll service providers offer additional tax-related services. These services can include handling complex payroll taxes, managing state and local tax requirements, and assisting with tax audits. While these services can provide peace of mind and ensure full compliance, they may come with an additional cost. 

Why Work with Horizon for Small Business Payroll?

When considering affordable payroll services for small businesses, Horizon stands out as a reliable and cost-effective option; we are proud to be a full-service payroll provider. By considering the cost factors outlined in this article and exploring our offerings, you can make an informed decision regarding payroll services that align with your budget and help streamline your business operations. 

Affordable Solutions for Businesses of All Kinds

Horizon understands that small businesses have unique needs and budget constraints. We are proud to offer affordable payroll solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes, ensuring that even startups and micro-businesses can access the best payroll services and trusted customer service. By providing scalable and transparent pricing options, Horizon makes it possible for small businesses with 1 to 100 employees to benefit from comprehensive payroll management without breaking the bank! 

Payroll and HR Support, Benefits, Tax Compliance, and More

In addition to payroll processing, Horizon offers a wide range of services to support small businesses comprehensively. Our payroll services extend beyond just payroll and encompass HR support, benefits administration, tax compliance, time tracking, and more. By consolidating these functions under one provider, small businesses can streamline their operations and reduce the complexity of managing multiple vendors. This integration of our industry's best payroll software and services ensures cost efficiency and seamless coordination, while giving you as a business owner or leader one point of contact when you need help or service. 

Contact Our Team for a Free Consultation

Horizon understands that each small business has unique payroll needs and budget considerations. That's why we offer a free consultation to understand your specific requirements and provide personalized recommendations for your payroll options. By taking advantage of this consultation, you can gain insights into the affordability and suitability of Horizon's payroll services for your business! Contact us today and talk to one of our small business experts to give you a quote on a customized plan for your business.