2011 Review of Red Wing Software, Inc. — CenterPoint Payroll

Red Wing Software - CenterPoint Payroll
800-732-9464
www.redwingsoftware.com

Best Fit: CenterPoint Payroll is a good solution for most small businesses and payroll service providers who process payroll for multiple companies and who may want some limited human resource management capabilities. It’s also a good fit for organizations that use Red Wing’s CenterPoint or TurningPoint accounting software applications.

From the Sept. 2011 Review of Professional Payroll Programs

CenterPoint Payroll is a fully customizable payroll solution that accommodates a variety of business types. Accounting professionals may find CenterPoint payroll a good solution for handling multiple clients. Designed as an in-house payroll solution, CenterPoint provides all functions necessary to run payroll while also including some introductory human resource (HR) functionality.

BASIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS:

As noted, CenterPoint Payroll is a complete in-house payroll solution that may be installed as single-user desktop software or multi-user software in a networked environment. The interface is typical of traditional Windows software in that navigation is done through drop-down menus and a series of shortcut icons. The shortcut icons are fully customizable to include or exclude desired program features. This customization is extended to many data-entry screens, as well. This level of customization allows the product to be specifically tailored to a user’s data-entry needs.

With a multi-user network license, multiple users can concurrently access client files. Each client file may also have an unlimited number of employees. Each employee record may include an unlimited number of pay rates and deduction codes, as well as multiple pay rates and frequencies. Deductions from an employee’s paychecks may be set for intervals different from their normal payroll frequency. This allows for member or association dues to be deducted only one time per month for a semi-monthly payroll frequency, for instance. CenterPoint Payroll also offers tracking options for profit centers, locations and project codes that can be automatically allocated upon each payroll run, allowing for granular cost analysis of payroll.

Processing payroll is simply a matter of selecting the appropriate pay date ranges and employees, entering or importing time information, and verifying the end result before finalizing and printing checks. CenterPoint Payroll includes support for all federal, state and local tax compliance. The program is designed for traditional paper filing methods but offers electronic filing capabilities through Aatrix. This tax outsourcing provider supports electronic processing of all quarterly, annual reports and W2s for federal and states accepting electronic submissions. Direct deposit is also available and allows employees to split paychecks across an unlimited number of bank and investment accounts. Employees without direct deposit capabilities may receive paper checks. The direct deposit option creates an ACH file each pay run (your bank may charge a transmittal fee); other electronic filing is considered a premium services and will require additional fees.