Automated payroll can be defined as a method that uses software and other technology to reduce the need for manual tasks and human intervention in the payroll process. Switching from a manual payroll process to an automated system can be positively transformative for any business. Not only does it save time and reduce errors, but it also boosts employee satisfaction and ensures compliance with regulatory agencies. When you work with the experts at Bennett/Porter to implement People Savvy HCM, you’ll feel supported and in control of this transition. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help as you consider upgrading to a better payroll system.
Step 1: Assess Your Current Payroll Process
The Challenge: Understanding your existing payroll process is crucial. Challenges with manual payroll systems often include: time-consuming reconciliation, recurrence of human error, risky complexities with deductions and taxes, and lack of integration, any one of which can lead to employee dissatisfaction and compliance issues.
The Solution: Conduct a thorough assessment of your current payroll system, and document your findings. Identify pain points such as inefficiencies, data entry errors, delayed or incorrect payments, and compliance risks.
Fact: According to the American Payroll Association, manual payroll systems have an error rate of between 1-8% of total payroll.
Step 2: Define Your Goals
The Challenge: Setting clear goals for your new payroll system ensures that you know what you want to achieve and will help the transition meet your specific business needs.
The Solution: Determine as specifically as possible what you want to achieve with automation. Common goals for better payrolls include reducing processing time, improving accuracy, enhancing reporting, ensuring compliance, and increasing employee engagement and satisfaction. Once you settle on a solution, these goals will also serve as a starting point for working with your implementation team to build your new, better-than-ever payroll system.
Step 3: Choose the Right Payroll Solution
The Challenge: Selecting the right payroll software and, even more important, the right team of experts to guide the transition and support your team’s ongoing payroll needs is essential for success.
The Solution: People Savvy HCM is a comprehensive payroll solution that is constantly evolving to keep up with emerging technology to stay ahead of compliance needs. It also has the ability to seamlessly integrate your automated time collection and HR functions, if that’s in line with your goals (see Step 2). Partnering with Bennett/Porter provides you with expert guidance and support throughout the evaluation process and beyond.
Fact: Businesses that automate their payroll processes can save up to 80% of the time currently spent on payroll management.
Step 4: Plan Your Implementation
The Challenge: A well-thought-out implementation plan is critical to avoid disruptions during the transition. “Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up.”
The Solution: Bennett/Porter’s experts work so closely with your payroll team that they may come to feel like a functional extension of that group. Our detailed implementation plan emerges from getting to know your people, organization, processes, needs, and objectives. The plan includes consistent communication, timelines, responsibility assignments, and methods of ensuring data accuracy during the migration.
Step 5: Attend Thorough Training
The Challenge: Ensuring that your payroll and HR teams feel comfortable and conversant with the new system is vital for a successful transition.
The Solution: Bennett/Porter provides comprehensive training and support to help your team master People Savvy HCM. This includes individualized hands-on training sessions, user manuals and customized how to guides, and ongoing one-on-one or team support, depending on your preference.
Step 6: Monitor and Optimize
The Challenge: Continual on-going monitoring and optimization are necessary to ensure the system runs smoothly.
The Solution: After implementation, use People Savvy HCM’s real-time data, visual reporting, and dashboard analytics to monitor payroll processing results, changing trends, expenses, tax changes, compliance reporting, and much more. Bennett/Porter’s team will assist you in configuring and tuning up the tools to meet your evolving needs.
Fact: A study by PwC found that companies using automated payroll systems saw a 30% increase in payroll accuracy and a 25% reduction in payroll processing time.
Benefits of Working with Bennett/Porter
Expert Guidance: Bennett/Porter’s experienced team of professionals provides highly personalized support during the selection process and throughout the transition to ensure a seamless implementation and successful future.
Comprehensive Training: Benefit from thorough training programs designed to empower your payroll and HR teams, making sure they can maximize the benefits of using People Savvy HCM, such as generating money-saving efficiencies.
Ongoing Support: With Bennett/Porter, you never have to feel alone. Receive support and services on your terms, and be confident that we’ll always evolve with you and your business’s payroll needs.
Conclusion
Transitioning from a manual to an automated payroll system can revolutionize your business operations. By following these steps and leveraging the expertise of Bennett/Porter, you can ensure a smooth transition to People Savvy HCM’s automated payroll solution. Enjoy the benefits of increased accuracy, compliance, and employee satisfaction, while giving yourself back some time to focus on more strategic business initiatives.
If you’re ready to automating your payroll process with People Savvy HCM and the experts at Bennett/Porter, please reach out today!
Works Cited:
PwC. “The Impact of Payroll Automation on Business Efficiency.” 2021.
American Payroll Association. “Manual Payroll Systems and Error Rates.” 2022.
Ernst & Young. “Automation in Payroll Management.” 2022.
