SurePayroll Features Employee Self-Service

September, 2001
CPA Software News
By Phillip D. Dunford, Jr.

Founded in December 1999, SurePayroll is a user-friendly online payroll system featuring employee self-service and the ability to print checks locally using check stock provided by SurePayroll. This system is based on Internet standards, so a wide variety of operating systems and web browsers are supported. Unlike most of its competition, SurePayroll bundles payroll processing, direct deposit and tax filing into one low price.

Access
The SurePayroll system requires a web browser and an Internet connection. The system works equally well on Macintosh and PC operating systems, and it doesn't require a specific browser or the download and installation of any third party software. Because of this, SurePayroll is an ideal solution for offices with mixed computing environments. In addition, busy executives who are on the road will be able to review and approve a payroll run from any computer with a browser and Internet access. Employee self-service allows a company's employees to access the system and view or print their pay stubs. When payroll is complete, an e-mail is sent to each employee with a link so they can log into the system and view their current or historical check stubs.

Visual Interface
SurePayroll has a simple and clean interface with a minimum of graphics. After login, SurePayroll displays five tabs at the top of the browser window that offer one-click access to major components of the service. The Account Center tab is displayed by default. It has links in the left frame divided by function (payroll, reports, employees, company, approval, resources and administration). These section headers offer a variety of text-based hyperlinks that are used to enter, approve, run and report on your payroll in addition to some management functions like changing passwords and entering employees' use of vacation, sick and personal time. Along the top of the screen, tabs offer another way to navigate through SurePayroll. In addition to the Account Center tab, SurePayroll displays tabs for Payroll, Reports, Employees and Company.

Import/Export
SurePayroll currently provides neither import nor export functionality. According to the FAQs section of the web site, the company is working on the ability to export payroll data to an Excel spreadsheet. Five simple reports are available, but they cannot be downloaded to disk or exported.

Options & Price
Because Surepayroll bundles payroll generation, direct deposit and tax liability reporting/filing, there are no extras to buy. Payroll processing costs $24.95 plus $.99 per employee transaction per pay period. The company's web site has a calculator that will determine your per-payroll fee. In addition to direct deposit, companies can elect to print checks on check stock provided by SurePayroll. Additional fees apply for the stock.

The Bottom Line
Because SurePayroll bundles everything into one price, it will be attractive to smaller firms and their smaller business clients. Overall, SurePayroll is very user friendly and logically organized.