Intuit — Intuit Online Payroll for Accounting Professionals

REPORTING & MONITORING:
Intuit Online Payroll includes the To-Do list screen for management of due dates and other issues across all clients, and also lets users set up email-based alerts to notify them of pending tasks and deadlines. The system offers quarterly and annual reporting forms for all states, with the ability to print to states with coupons or other requirements. Electronic payment capabilities are included for all entities that accept EFT. W-2s are generated by the program and can be printed locally. For contractors, 1099s are available through an additional service. Reports include wages, deductions, employees, liabilities, workers’ comp, benefits and other standard management options, which can be saved to Excel for additional customization for document storage. Employee management screens offer summary views of categorized data, with access to histories and tools such as the gross-up calculator.

INTEGRATION/IMPORT & EXPORT:
The web-based system offers integration with workers’ comp systems from multiple leading carriers, and can export payroll data into Excel format for import into most accounting systems, including QuickBooks and Peachtree. An optional timesheet management tool is offered to provide time tracking, which allows employees to enter data which, after approval, is automatically routed into the payroll system. It also includes email reminders and time clock authentication. The system does not offer data import from any sources.

HELP/SUPPORT:
The program includes good built-in assistance features, including a Help library and resources, along with access to state tax sites, FAQs, How Do I’s and other options. Since the program is online, these resources are web-based, and all tax table and system updates are automatically managed by the vendor. Users of Intuit Online Payroll also have access to some of Intuit’s professional online support. Live web and phone-based technical support is included in system pricing, including access to payroll professionals on Intuit’s staff.

CLIENT SELF-SERVICE FEATURES:
As a web-based system, Intuit Online Payroll gives firms the ability to let client employers log in and perform some of the data entry themselves, such as em-ployee time entry and benefits. This is an optional function and can be tailored to each client depending upon what specific areas of the system the firm wants them to be able to access, such as payroll only, setup and payroll, or full access. The program also offers a secure portal for employees to be able to check their own pay stubs, but does not include W-2s or HR options. Client portals can be branded with the accounting firm’s name.

SUMMARY & PRICING
Intuit Online Payroll provides a very streamlined system for firms to fully manage virtually all aspects of their client payroll, including processing, direct deposit and all compliance reporting and payments. It offers a collection of tools for managing due dates and reminders that alert users to deadlines. Pricing under the Wholesale Service (where the firm is billed for all clients and then invoices clients themselves) starts at $19.99 per client, per month for up to five employees, with additional employees costing 50 cents each, and includes unlimited payroll runs and direct deposits.

2010 OVERALL RATING: