2011 Review of CCH Small Firm Services — ATX Payroll & TaxWise Payroll

CCH Small Firm Services - ATX Payroll & TaxWise Payroll
ATX: 888-455-0183; www.atxinc.com
TaxWise: 888-455-0182; www.taxwise.com

Best Fit: Accounting firms and small companies who need a live and after-the-fact payroll preparation tool designed to work with the TaxWise and ATX tax compliance brands, as well as firms who are using CCH ProSystem fx Practice Management, or need check in/checkout capabilities.

From the Sept. 2011 Review of Professional Payroll Programs

CCH Small Firm Services, a Wolters Kluwer business, has a co-branded payroll solution available through the ATX and TaxWise software divisions. These solutions provide accounting professionals with payroll tools designed for easy data entry and quick output. The core payroll product is designed for performing live payroll, but additional modules are available to provide a complete payroll solution for clients with light volume payroll.

BASIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS:

The ATX and TaxWise Payroll solutions are available as standalone products or through combined suite offerings. The payroll solutions may also be installed on a local computer or through a network-client environment for no additional charges. Users access the software through choosing the appropriate module icon on the computer desktop and entering a user ID and password combination. Unlimited user accounts may be setup and used, and each user account may have client security access restrictions. Upon signing in, a pop-up window displays the client files to which the user has access. Navigation is performed using traditional drop-down menus and a hyperlinked shortcut list on the opening screen.

Although intended for small businesses, the ATX and TaxWise Payroll systems do not place any limits on the number of companies or employees supported. A client setup wizard is available when setting up a new client and guides users on each step of the setup process. Going through this process helps ensure all data is entered correctly and may prevent future miscalculations.

One unique feature of the systems is the ability to check in/out client files to remote users. This allows files to be transferred to clients or other accounting professionals, and checked out files are locked until checked back in to prevent overriding calculations.

The payroll process starts with importing time through the available import options. Each payroll check displays an immediate calculation on-screen and allows for further editing by users. All paychecks may be processed by individual employees or in batches. All federal and state tax tables are included, and ATX and TaxWise Payroll can also handle a large number or earnings and deduction codes. Local taxes may be calculated but need to be user-defined and -maintained. Departments may be assigned to employees, and paychecks may be allocated across multiple departments based on percentage. Direct deposit files may be generated within the system, and support is offered for up to four bank and investment accounts.

ATX and TaxWise can support both after-the-fact payroll and live payroll with an included gross-up calculator. Each check must be manually entered, but the system will automatically adjust tax calculations for users. Basic human resource (HR) functions are also present and include basic employee demographic information and quick summary information of month, quarter and year-to-date payroll information.