Running payroll for clients is one of the most compliance-heavy and time-consuming services an accounting firm can take on. Even small errors, like miscalculating taxes or submitting filings late, can hurt the firm’s credibility and may even lead to penalties. The right payroll software changes that equation by automating tax calculations, syncing smoothly with accounting systems, and keeping client records organized and ready for audits.
But finding tools that truly address these challenges is where many firms run into trouble. To make the process easier, we conducted extensive research and testing across dozens of platforms based on multi-client management, tax automation, reporting capabilities, and accounting integrations. From there, we narrowed the list down to the 22 best payroll software options for accounting firms in 2026.
So, let’s get into it.
Software | Rating | Trial Info | Pricing | Best For | Main Features |
OnPay Payroll - Editor's choice | 4.8/5 | 30-day free trial | $49/month + $6/worker/month
| Multi-state payroll
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| 4.1/5 | 7-day free trial
| $29/contractor/month | Bonus and incentives handling
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| 4.6/5 | Free for up to two consecutive billing cycles | $49/month (plus $6/month/person)
| Support for international contractor payments
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| 4.5/5 | Free trial not available
| $8/employee/month
| State unemployment insurance administration
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| 4.3/5 | 1-month free trial
| $99/month
| Paystub preview before payday |
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4.6/5 | 30-day free trial
| $25/month Get a Custom Quote
| Multiple pay frequencies
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4.6/5 | Free trial available | $40/month + $6/month/employee
| Payroll and accounting integration |
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4/5 | Free trial not available | $39/month + $5/employee/month | Automated tax calculation and filing
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| 4.2/5 | Free trial available | $50/month | Custom deductions handling |
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4.2/5 | 14-day free trial | $39/org/month + $6/month/employee | Employees management |
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OnPay is a full-service payroll software, built to handle payroll and tax compliance accurately. For accounting firms, its custom payroll report designer is where it stands out. The tool lets firms add or remove over 50 data points, rearrange columns, adjust date ranges, and apply filters. This gives each client's report a tailored view rather than a generic output. Those custom views can be saved and shared with specific team members or clients directly.
Its reports also automatically adjust to each business’s pay types and configurations, reducing the need for manual cleanup after every pay run. Notably, CNN named OnPay the best payroll software for accountants, while Fortune recognized it as the top choice for combining payroll and HR.
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Best For
New accounting firms, along with small and mid-sized ones, can take advantage of OnPay’s payroll features.
Key Features
- Pre-built Reporting
- Self-Service Portal
- PTO Tracking
- Full-service Payroll
- Unlimited Monthly Pay Runs
Pricing
OnPay starts at a base price of $49/month, with an additional $6/month charged for each user added to the system.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
We chose OnPay because it helps accounting firms avoid a common issue: Payroll tax compliance slipping through the cracks. The platform automatically withholds federal, state, and local taxes during each pay run, files Form 941 quarterly, and handles Form 940 at year-end, all without manual input. For firms managing payroll across multiple clients, this means every client’s tax obligations follow the same automated process, thereby reducing compliance risk and taking the burden off the firm.
User Ratings
User reviews largely highlight its all-in-one HR and payroll capabilities, although some users mention occasional challenges with administrative updates.
Remote is a global HR and payroll platform designed for companies managing employees in multiple countries. For accounting firms working with international clients, this makes the software particularly useful. The platform centralizes payroll, expense management, and reporting across different countries, currencies, and contract types.
Rather than relying on third-party processors, Remote owns in-country payroll operations across 100+ locations. It also handles compliance, calculations, and complexity.
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Best For
Remote works well for businesses of any size, whether it’s a startup, a mid-sized company, or a large enterprise.
Key Features
- Integrated Payroll Processing
- Payroll Run Overview And Approvals
- Payroll Cost Visibility
- Tax Deductions Management
- Social Security Reporting
Pricing
Remote’s pricing starts at $29/employee/month for its Payroll plan. This plan includes international payroll, a self-service platform, HR Core features, and more.
Here’s a look at the other pricing plans Remote offers:
- Employer of Record: $699/month
- Contractor Management: $29/contractor/month
- Contractor Management Plus: $99/contractor/month
- Contractor of Record: Starts from $325/contractor/month
- Professional Employer Organization: Starts from $99/employee/month
- Equity: Starts from $39/month
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
We like Remote for firms with a growing client base. Its multi-level approvals keep HR, finance, and leadership aligned, while bulk tools let teams update payroll data and expenses quickly. As firms add more clients, this structure helps payroll operations scale smoothly without adding extra administrative work.
User Ratings
Most reviewers describe Remote’s payroll as dependable for managing multi-country payroll and tax compliance through an easy-to-use dashboard. However, some report occasional delays with region-specific payments.
Gusto is a cloud‑based full‑service payroll platform. It lets users run unlimited payrolls without extra fees, automatically calculate and file federal, state, and local payroll taxes, and generate year‑end forms like W‑2s and 1099s.
Its AutoPilot™ feature runs payroll automatically on schedule, while Instant Pay lets firms hold onto cash until the last minute with employees still paid on time. Gusto integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, and Clover that keeps payroll data synced directly with accounting workflows without manual entry.
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Best For
Gusto serves a wide range of businesses, from solo entrepreneurs and contractors to small and mid-size firms that need full payroll, benefits, and HR in one place.
Key Features
- Unlimited Payroll Runs
- E-File and E-Sign Payroll Forms
- Multistate Payroll Support
- PTO/Holiday Pay Linked to Payroll
- Built-In Time Tracking
Pricing
Gusto’s pricing begins at $49/month, plus $6/month/person, for its base plan called Simple. This plan is best suited for small firms that require basic payroll, single-state processing, and reporting features. Gusto also offers additional plans under the ‘Pay My Team’ tier:
- Plus: $80/month (plus $12/month/person)
- Premium: $180/month (plus $22/month/person)
- Contractor Only: $35/month (plus $6/month/person)
Pay Myself:
- Solo: $49/month (plus $6/month/person)
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
Accounting firms often need flexibility in payment timing when managing payroll for multiple clients. We like how Gusto supports four direct deposit speeds: Instant, next-day, 2-day, and standard 4-day, so firms can match each client’s cash flow instead of forcing everyone onto one schedule. A cash-sensitive client can stay on a 4-day cycle, while another with tighter payroll timelines can use next-day deposits without extra workarounds.
User Ratings
User feedback indicate that Gusto’s payroll and benefits management is intuitive and compliant, though some users mention that scaling can be challenging as businesses grow beyond small teams.
As a Professional Employer Organization, Justworks manages payroll, compliance, and employee administration for businesses. It also includes benefits administration, that allows accounting teams to handle payroll deductions for health, dental, vision, 401(k), life and disability insurance, HSAs/FSAs, commuter benefits, and COBRA directly within the payroll system. Because these deductions are automatically calculated and applied during pay runs, accounting firms can manage benefit costs more easily.
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Best For
Justworks is primarily built for small and growing businesses, especially those with fewer than ~10 employees, though it can work up to around 100+ staff in practice.
Key Features
- Contractor Payments
- Off‑cycle Payments
- External Payments
- Tips Processing
- Digital Pay Stubs
Pricing
Justworks provides a base plan, called Payroll at $8/employee/month, plus a $50/month base fee. This plan includes payroll, HR tools, and time tracking. Additional pricing plans offered by Justworks include:
- PEO Basic: $70/employee/month
- PEO Plus: $109/employee/month
- EOR: $599/employee/month
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
Document management at year-end is where accounting firms lose the most time. Justworks helps firms file W-2s and 1099s automatically and store them in each employee's profile, with a bulk download option that pulls everything into a single ZIP folder. So, when a firm needs to reconcile a client's year-end records, every tax document is already organized and ready.
User Ratings
According to user reviews, Justworks is frequently praised for its intuitive HR and payroll interface, which simplifies core payroll tasks, though some note that customization options are limited.
Paycor is an HCM platform that comes with a dedicated CPA partner program. It lets accounting firms run payroll on behalf of clients or offer fully outsourced payroll services. Firms can plan their own level of involvement, from processing payroll on the client's behalf to stepping back entirely with outsourced payroll.
Its Paycor Mobile Wallet feature gives employees secure access to earned wages, pay card details, financial wellness tools, and bill pay options through a single mobile interface. All of this helps reduce payroll inquiries and support workload.
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Best For
Paycor is ideal for very small teams (1–49 employees), small to mid-sized businesses (50–1,000 employees), and larger organizations (1,000+ employees).
Key Features
- Autorun (Scheduled Payroll)
- Real-Time Payroll Calculations
- Direct Deposit And Paycard Support
- Employee Self-Service
- Payroll Reporting And Analytics
Pricing
Paycor pricing starts at $99/month, and the platform offers several plans available at custom pricing:
- Basic Plan
- Essential Plan
- Core Plan
- Complete Plan
Disclaimer: Pricing references are based on publicly available third-party information and industry benchmarks. Actual costs may vary.
Why We Like It
Paycor's Intelligent Tax Recommendations feature automatically identifies the correct state tax setup based on where employees are located, and this is the top reason why we like this software. For a firm handling clients with remote teams across several states, this automation alone prevents misclassification errors that trigger penalties.
User Ratings
Most user sentiments revolve around the platform’s ease of use, centralized payroll processing, and the convenience of accessing pay information in one place. However, many reviews also mention ongoing frustrations with customer support.
Xero’s payroll system is designed to give firms flexibility rather than forcing them to use a single built-in payroll tool. Instead, it connects with third-party payroll software that a firm may already be using. These apps sync wages, taxes, benefit deductions, and reimbursements back into Xero automatically as a bill or journal entry after each pay run.
The software’s integration with remote apps is also straightforward and doesn’t require technical expertise. Payroll data refreshes frequently across the system, so whichever payroll tool a client uses, the information flows directly into the general ledger without disrupting accounting processes.
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Best For
The software is best for small to medium‑sized businesses that need core accounting and payroll tools.
Key Features
- Off‑Payroll Workers (IR35)
- Fully Automated Workplace Pensions
- Calculations And Deductions
- Statutory Leave And Payments
- Multiple Pay Frequencies
Pricing
The cost of Xero starts at $25/month. This base plan, called Starter, is well-suited for sole traders and small businesses, and it covers real-time reports, performance graphs, quotes and invoices, and more. The other paid plans offered by the vendor are as follows:
- Growing: $55/month
- Established: $90/month
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
We like Xero’s payroll reporting because it offers detailed reports such as P32, P11, pension summaries, and payroll activity reports, which help firms track liabilities and compliance easily. This way, an accounting firm can quickly review payroll costs and HMRC payments before closing monthly books.
User Ratings
Xero’s payroll is mostly liked by users for its clear reporting and easy tax tracking that simplifies pay runs, but according to some customer experiences, adjusting deductions or benefits is less intuitive and time-consuming.
FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting and invoicing platform. Its payroll feature is powered by Gusto and this integration is what puts it on this list for accounting firms. It lets users run payroll for employees and contractors, automate tax calculations and filings, and sync every pay run directly into the accounting ledger, so reports and books stay accurate and organized. Payroll tax filings, W-2s, 1099s, unlimited pay runs, and direct deposit all come standard and gives accounting firms one less platform to manage per client.
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Best For
FreshBooks is best for freelancers, self-employed professionals, small businesses, and businesses managing employees or contractors.
Key Features
- Payroll Tax Calculations
- Payroll Transactions Tracking
- Payroll Run Summary
- Financial Health Overview
- Benefits Recording
Pricing
FreshBooks Payroll costs $40/month (plus $6/employee) and works only for paid FreshBooks subscriptions, excluding free trials. It covers unlimited payroll runs, free direct deposit, and automatic federal and state tax filing.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
We like FreshBooks Payroll’s processing timeline because it clearly defines when to submit payroll runs, 4 business days for standard ACH or 2 days for faster ACH, so accounting teams can confidently plan pay dates without guesswork. This structure helps firms avoid missed deposits and keeps books accurate by aligning payroll entries with general ledger reporting.
User Ratings
Users often appreciate FreshBooks for its simple interface and smooth integrations that help track payroll-related expenses alongside accounting tasks, but some reviewers note that payroll capabilities are limited which can restrict deeper payroll reporting or workflows.
8. Paychex Flex
Paychex Flex is a cloud‑based payroll platform that helps accounting professionals and business owners run payroll and manage compliance from one system. The software also handles payroll tax calculation, and filing automatically through its Taxpay® service.
It features Paychex Promise® payroll protection that provides funding flexibility by extending payroll funding during cash flow challenges. This helps ensure on‑time pay runs, which is especially useful for firms overseeing client payrolls.
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Best For
Paychex is a versatile payroll solution suitable for everyone, from startups and freelancers to small, mid-sized, and large accounting enterprises.
Key Features
- Payroll Tax Administration
- New-Hire Reporting
- Garnishment Payment Service
- Time And Attendance Integration
- Payroll Reporting And Analytics
Pricing
Paychex Flex pricing is estimated to start with the Essentials plan at around $39/month, plus approximately $5/employee/month for basic payroll and HR services. Other plan estimates include:
- Select: $44/month and up (plus $3/employee)
- Pro: $89/month and up (plus $3/employee)
Disclaimer: Pricing references are based on publicly available third-party information and industry benchmarks. Actual costs may vary.
Why We Like It
Payroll fraud is a risk many accounting firms don’t have a clear response plan for. That’s one reason we like Paychex Flex, as it directly addresses this gap. The platform offers a dedicated fraud hotline that connects firms with specialists who can help investigate and resolve issues as soon as a suspicious event occurs. For firms managing payroll across many clients, having that direct support can help contain problems quickly before a compromised account affects others.
User Ratings
User reviews praise Paychex Flex for its reliable payroll tools and smooth workflows, though some mention occasional slow loading and limited advanced features.
9. TimeTrex
TimeTrex is a workforce management and payroll platform. What makes it relevant for accounting firms is how it handles payroll complexity at the deduction level. It supports tailored deductions, like benefits, insurance, garnishments, vacation accruals, and sick leave accruals, and automatically classifies each as pre-tax or post-tax.
This ensures accurate tax calculations for every employee. TimeTrex also offers over 65 integrations, including QuickBooks and state payroll tax portals, with an open API for custom needs. This keeps client books clean without manual reconciliation.
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Best For
TimeTrex caters to businesses of all sizes, from small startups to mid-sized enterprises.
Key Features
- Time Savings
- Federal and Provincial Tax Calculation
- Advanced Payroll Engine
- Flexible Pay Schedules
- Automated Wage And Hour Calculations
Pricing
TimeTrex pricing begins at $50/month for the Professional Edition, which offers leave and absence management, robust HR tools, and customizable reporting. There’s also a free Community Edition available. For larger teams, additional paid plans include:
- Corporate Edition: $80/month
- Enterprise Edition: $100/month
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
We recommend TimeTrex for accounting firms managing clients with multiple business entities or bank accounts. Its multi-source debiting lets employers draw from several accounts in a single pay run. This makes it easy to handle clients who maintain separate payroll accounts for different departments, all processed in one go.
User Ratings
Customer feedback highlights that TimeTrex effectively automates accurate payroll, though some users find its interface complex and challenging to navigate.
10. Zoho Payroll
Zoho Payroll is a cloud-based payroll platform that sits within the broader Zoho ecosystem and for accounting firms already using Zoho Books, that shared infrastructure means payroll and accounting data stay in sync without additional integration work. That continuity extends to client migrations too.
Its Prior Payroll feature imports historical payroll data (employee pay, tax deductions, and benefits) from any previous provider to ensure year-to-date figures remain accurate without interrupting current payroll. Zoho Payroll also lets firms add custom employee fields, keeping each client’s data organized from day one.
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Best For
Zoho Payroll is best suited for small to medium‑sized teams and growing businesses.
Key Features
- Payroll Administration
- Benefits Management
- Taxes And Compliance
- Detailed pay stubs
Pricing
Zoho Payroll pricing starts at $39/org/month (plus $6/month/employee). This cost is for its Standard plan, which covers various features including paid time off, off-cycle pay runs, digital payroll forms, automatic tax payment and filings, and more.
The other paid plan offered by the vendor include:
- Professional: $59/org/month (plus $8.5/month/employee)
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
Zoho Payroll's collaboration structure is what makes it practical for accounting firms managing multiple stakeholders per client. It supports multiple user roles with role-based access, payroll approval workflows that require sign-off before pay runs are processed, and broadcast reminders for submission deadlines. It helps both the accountant and the client's finance teams see only what's relevant, without opening sensitive payroll data unnecessarily.
User Ratings
Zoho Payroll has particularly solid marks for functionality and general satisfaction, though user sentiments point a bit negatively towards customer support.
11. RUN Powered By ADP®
RUN Powered by ADP® is a small business payroll and HR platform backed by ADP's payroll infrastructure. Accounting firms access it through the dedicated Accountant Connect℠ portal, which is a free platform that lets firms generate multi-client payroll reports, process payroll, and import general ledger data across all clients from one central location.
It automatically keeps pace with federal and state tax law changes across all 50 states, handles W-2 and 1099 creation, and e-files directly with the IRS on the client's behalf. This helps keep every client's compliance posture current without manual monitoring.
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Best For
RUN powered by ADP® is ideal for small accounting firms with up to 49 employees.
Key Features
- Automated Payroll Processing
- Payroll Tax Calculation, Filing And Payments
- Customized Payroll Dashboard
- AI‑Enabled Error Flagging
- Recurring Payroll Automation
Pricing
RUN powered by ADP starts at $59/month plus $4/employee/month, with final pricing varying based on company size, selected modules, and contract length. The vendor also provides custom‑priced plans, including:
- Essential Payroll
- Enhanced Payroll
- Complete Payroll & HR+
- HR Pro Payroll & HR
Disclaimer: Pricing references are based on publicly available third-party information and industry benchmarks. Actual costs may vary.
Why We Like It
RUN's AI-powered error detection is what gives accounting firms an added layer of confidence before every pay run is finalized. When a tax notice lands, firms can upload the IRS letter directly to the ADP portal — ADP reviews it and resolves the issue, covering any resulting fines on the firm's behalf. For a firm managing dozens of client accounts, that backstop means tax notices don't become the firm's problem to untangle independently.
User Ratings
User reviews highlight RUN for its reliable and accurate payroll, which streamlines multi-state tax compliance, though many note that the interface can be complex, which makes payroll navigation challenging.
12. Papaya Global
Papaya Global consolidates global payroll and payments into one platform, with its Payments Connector that is at the core of that workflow. It automatically transforms approved payroll data into payment delivery, thereby integrating directly with any existing payroll provider without requiring a system switch.
The payments are classified by types including net salary, vendor invoices, contractor payments, and authority payments. Its Payments OS automates and executes cross-border payroll payments with real-time tracking and validation that helps ensure traceability.
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Best For
Papaya Global is ideal for multinational accounting firms and global payroll teams that require automated cross-border payroll solutions across multiple countries.
Key Features
- Automated Global Payroll Processing
- Centralized Workforce Data Hub
- Standardized Gross-to-net (G2N) Reporting
- Automated payslip distribution
- Journal Entry Automation
Pricing
Papaya Global pricing starts at $3.50/transaction for its Payments OS plan, which includes coverage in over 160 countries, real-time payment tracking, invoice-to-pay automation, and more. Its other plans include:
- Employer of Record (EOR): From $499/employee/month
- Contractor of Record (COR): From $295/contractor/month
- Contractor Solution: From $5/contractor/month
- Payroll Plus: From $29/employee/month
- Workforce OS: Custom pricing
- Contingent OS: Custom pricing
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
Papaya Global’s automated Journal Entry (JE) reconciliation feature simplifies the accounting close process, and we love it for that. The software does this by generating ready-to-post journal entries from payroll runs. Rather than manually creating debit/credit entries for wages, taxes, benefits, and withholdings, the system automatically organizes and formats all payroll data into a single JE file. This way, users can upload the file directly into an ERP or accounting system.
User Ratings
Users frequently commend Papaya Global for streamlining and consolidating multi-country payroll and ensuring timely payments, though some customers experience slower response times from support.
13. Sage Intacct
Pension compliance is an obligation that accounting firms shoulder on behalf of clients, and Sage Intacct is built to help with that. It automatically assesses and enrolls employees into workplace pension schemes, including salary sacrifice arrangements, with direct support for NOW, NEST, and People's Pension (or any custom provider a client already uses). Beyond pensions, it files and pays all payroll taxes through the platform, and pledges to cover fines and penalties for any errors on its part. This really does give accounting firms a clear accountability structure when managing client compliance.
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Best For
Sage Intacct works well for solo traders, and small and mid-sized accounting firms.
Key Features
- Timesheet Integration
- p60s And Year-end Payroll Submissions
- Employee Self-service Access
- Collaborative Payroll Management
- Payslip Generation (print/email)
Pricing
Sage Intacct payroll pricing begins at £20/month for its Payroll Essentials plans. It covers employee records and essential HR tasks, track and manage employee holidays, payroll and HR support, and more. The following are its other paid tiers:
- Payroll Standard: £40/month
- Payroll Premium: £60/month
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
We recommend Sage Intacct to accounting firms whose clients are actively scaling headcount. Its Enhanced Pay Run consolidates all payroll details on one screen, with bulk actions to add, remove, or exclude employees and payments in just a few clicks. A firm processing payroll for a client that just doubled its workforce can handle the expanded roster at the same time it took before using Sage Intacct.
User Ratings
Reviewers most often appreciate that Sage Intacct can integrate payroll data with financial reporting and make payroll information accessible, while the most critical sentiment highlights frustrations with limited native payroll functionality.
14. Homebase
Homebase Payroll is a streamlined solution that simplifies wage management for accounting firms and their clients. It automates payroll runs, ensures accurate tax filings, and supports wage garnishments. Built for hourly teams, it includes a Tip Manager that syncs with POS systems to capture tip data accurately, automatically adding tip-outs to timesheets. It also calculates tip shortages; supplementing pay when employees’ tips fall below minimum wage.
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Best For
Homebase is best for accounting firms managing payroll for small to medium-sized client businesses with hourly employees.
Key Features
- Mobile Payroll App
- Unlimited Payroll Runs
- Integrated Scheduling And Timesheets
- Payroll reports
- Printable checks
Pricing
Homebase payroll costs $39/month base fee + $6/month/active employee. This plan covers all the payroll features including full-service payroll, wage garnishments, employee self-service, payroll reports, and more.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
We find Homebase's payroll reporting particularly useful for accounting firms whose clients run frequent and high-volume hourly payroll. Each pay run generates a journal report with per-paycheck detail alongside a summary report covering totals across any selected date range that are both exportable as CSV files directly from the dashboard. That structure means a firm reconciling a client's weekly payroll always has clean and period-specific data ready without any manual sorting.
User Ratings
User feedback around Homebase is generally positive, with many highlighting its clean interface. However, several reviewers mention slower response times from support.
15. Wave Accounting
Wave Payroll is a payroll and accounting platform where both functions operate as a single connected system rather than two separate tools. That tight integration is what makes it relevant for accounting firms managing small business clients.
Every time payroll is approved, Wave automatically generates a journal transaction and records each payroll expense and the amounts owed to employees and tax authorities. This helps keep books current after every pay run without any manual entry from the accountant.
Pros And Cons
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Best For
Wave Payroll is best suited for small businesses, freelancers, and microbusinesses with simple payroll needs.
Key Features
- Payroll reminders
- Customizable payroll schedules (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.)
- Overtime and bonus calculations
- Employee classification (full-time, part-time, contractor)
- Time Tracking and hours logging
Pricing
Wave Payroll pricing starts at $40/month. It includes unlimited direct deposits, automatic tax payments and filings, employee portal access, full employee management, reporting, and accounting integration.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
We find Wave's employee management particularly suited to accounting firms handling clients with frequent workforce changes. It covers ROEs, top-ups, and benefit calculations within the same payroll workflow. Any owed amounts from offboarding, including dismissal and severance pay, are automatically calculated and added to the employee's final pay run.
User Ratings
What user reviews appreciate the most about Wave Accounting is its ease of use and simple to run payroll for small teams. However, many also complain about its poor customer support.
16. Patriot Payroll
Patriot Payroll is a U.S.‑focused payroll solution that lets accounting professionals and small business bookkeepers process unlimited payroll runs. It helps users handle federal/state/local tax calculations and pay employees and contractors with free direct deposit or printed checks. This includes expedited 2‑day and 4‑day options for qualifying customers.
The software also offers customizable payroll reports, employee self‑service portals, and seamless integration with QuickBooks and Patriot’s accounting tools. These help accountants reduce manual work and maintain payroll accuracy.
Pros And Cons
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Best For
Patriot Payroll is best for accountants managing anywhere from 1 to over 100 clients, depending on their firm size.
Key Features
- Payroll Management
- Payroll Reporting
- Tax Compliance
- W-2 Preparation
- Compensation Management
Pricing
Patriot pricing starts at $17/month (plus $4/worker paid). This plan called Basic Payroll covers free direct deposit, free employee portal, unlimited payrolls, and more. Its other plans include:
- Full Service Payroll: $37/month (plus $5/worker paid)
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
We love Patriot Payroll’s Pay-As-You-Go Workers’ Compensation insurance, which automatically calculates and deducts premiums from each payroll based on actual wages. For accounting firms managing multiple clients in manufacturing or high-risk industries, this feature ensures accurate client payroll accounting. It also helps prevent overpayments and reduces manual adjustments during audits.
User Ratings
Patriot Payroll is praised for its cost-effective and user-friendly payroll processing that streamlines tax filing, though some customer feedback reports that the initial setup and certain support interactions can be confusing or inconsistent.
17. QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll helps accounting teams automate and manage payroll processing, tax compliance, and pay disbursement within the QuickBooks platform. What sets it apart is its AI-driven Payroll Agent, which proactively collects time and attendance data from employees. It also spots inconsistencies, and texts the admin with a ready-to-approve payroll draft. This removes the back-and-forth that typically delays payroll processing for busy accounting firms.
Pros And Cons
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Best For
QuickBooks Payroll is well-suited for startups, small businesses, and mid-sized companies that are looking for efficient payroll management.
Key Features
- Same-Day Direct Deposit
- Tax Penalty Protection
- Automatic Payroll
- Employee Benefits Administration
- Tax Filing And Compliance
Pricing
QuickBooks Payroll pricing starts at $88/month (plus $6.50/employee/month) for its starter plan, called Payroll Core and Simple Start. It includes 1099 e-file and pay, next-day direct deposit, and more. The other pricing plans of the software include:
- Payroll Core and Essentials: $125/month + $6.50/employee/month
- Payroll Premium and Plus: $203/month + $10/employee/month
- Payroll: Custom pricing
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
We like QuickBooks Payroll for its Workforce App, which reduces back-and-forth between accountants and client employees. Employees can submit their own pay preferences, personal details, and tax information directly through the portal, so accountants can add them to payroll without the usual setup hassle. For firms managing multiple small business clients, this means fewer follow‑ups and faster issue resolution.
User Ratings
Users value QuickBooks Payroll for fast and seamless employee payments that save time, though some customer feedback reports occasional issues with tax form processing.
18. Paylocity
Garnishment management is where many payroll platforms fall short, and where accounting firms absorb the most compliance risk on behalf of clients. Paylocity tackles this through its Garnishment Managed Services. Its team handles the full garnishment process, including interpretation, calculation, deduction maintenance, validation against state and federal law, and payment disbursement.
Beyond that, its dedicated Accountant Advantage Program gives accounting professionals a partner portal to run payroll summaries, job costing reports, and client invoices from a single dashboard. This keeps multi-client management organized without switching between systems.
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Best For
Paylocity serves manufacturing businesses of all sizes, including small, mid, and large enterprises.
Key Features
- Reconcile Funds Automatically
- Payroll Tax Services
- Global Payroll
- Customizable Payroll Setup
- Simple Review and Payroll Submission Workflow
Pricing
Paylocity’s pricing is based on three customizable modules, each available at tailored rates to suit an organization’s specific needs. These typically include HR, IT, and Finance modules. The HR module includes the following plans:
- Payroll
- Human Resources
- Workforce Management
- Talent Management
- Benefits Management
- Employee Experience Platform
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
Paylocity stands out for its On‑Demand Payment feature that gives employees access to earned wages before payday. This helps prevent burdening accounting teams with manual payroll adjustments. For firms managing clients in industries with high turnover or hourly work, this reduces payroll inquiries and keeps payroll runs predictable, all while maintaining tight financial control and compliance.
User Ratings
Users praise Paylocity’s payroll for its ease of use and intuitive interface, though some reviewers note that inconsistent communication can make payroll processing more challenging.
19. Workday HCM
Workday is an enterprise-grade HCM and payroll platform. It works well for organizations that need payroll, finance, and HR operating from a single system of record. Its AI-driven employee self-service portal lets employees access pay stubs, year-end tax documents, and HR data in one place, with conversational AI guidance built into payslips to answer pay questions directly. Payroll case management is also embedded within the system, which streamlines how employee pay inquiries are tracked and resolved. This significantly reduces the admin burden on accounting teams.
Pros And Cons
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Best For
Workday HCM supports a diverse spectrum of accounting firms, ranging from mid-sized companies with a few hundred employees to massive global firms employing tens of thousands, or even over 200,000 people.
Key Features
- Continuous Payroll Processing
- Real‑Time Visibility
- Configurable Payroll Rules
- Smart Audits / Audit Trails
- Built‑In Reporting And Analytics
Pricing
The estimated cost of Workday HCM’s core plan ranges from $34 to $42/employee/month. To accommodate organizations with different needs, the vendor provides a variety of pricing plans, each tailored to meet specific requirements.
- Workday Adaptive Planning Free Trial: Free for 30 days
- Workday Adaptive Planning: Custom pricing
- Workday Adaptive Planning Close And Consolidation: Custom pricing
Disclaimer: Pricing references are based on publicly available third-party information and industry benchmarks. Actual costs may vary.
Why We Like It
We like Workday because it helps accounting firms advising EU-based clients meet pay equity reporting requirements. Its Pay Transparency Analyzer consolidates total reward data, runs AI-powered pay gap analysis, and generates pre-built reports for unadjusted pay gap disclosures and joint pay assessments.
User Ratings
Users appreciate Workday HCM for simplifying payroll processes and centralizing pay data, offering clear visibility and seamless integration. On the downside, user reviews often highlight its complexity and the occasional challenge of navigating payroll functions.
20. TriNet
TriNet is a comprehensive HR and payroll solution that helps firms outsource payroll processing, tax filing, and compliance while integrating HR services for employees and contractors. It also supports contractor and global payroll management that enables accounting professionals to centralize payroll, contractor payments, and compliance across jurisdictions without manual tracking. This makes it suitable for accounting firms that have to manage diverse workforces and complex payroll requirements.
Pros And Cons
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Best For
TriNet is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses, typically with 20–250+ employees.
Key Features
- Custom Earning Codes
- Payroll Reports and timelines
- Automate New Hire State Tax Filing
- Prepare Tax Forms
- Preview Payruns Before Approval
Pricing
TriNet pricing is custom, which varies depending on the plan chosen and other requirements of a firm. The vendor offers the following plans at custom rates:
- HR Advisory
- Payroll Tax Compliance Manager
- Payroll Manager
- HR Manager
- Fully-loaded HR Technology
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
We like TriNet for accounting firms that need payroll data in a client-ready format. Its on-demand payroll reports, complete with visualizations and total compensation statements, give firms a clear view of each client’s labor costs. This makes workforce budgeting advice easier, as cost breakdowns are instantly available without waiting for manual reports.
User Ratings
TriNet’s payroll is praised for its centralized interface and simple pay processing, but many user reviews also report frustration with slow support when handling complex payroll issues.
21. Multiplier
Managing payroll across multiple countries adds extra reconciliation work that many accounting firms aren’t fully prepared for, and Multiplier addresses this challenge directly. As a cloud-based global payroll platform, it allows accountants to run payroll and generate multi-currency reports across jurisdictions.
What makes it particularly useful is its structured reporting suite that covers gross-to-net breakdowns, payroll input records, total payroll cost summaries, and bank summaries for cross-referencing payroll disbursements against actual bank transactions. All of this helps keep every client's book audit-ready without manual assembly.
Pros And Cons
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Best For
Multiplier is best for enterprises, mid-size businesses, small businesses, and startups.
Key Features
- Payroll Reporting And Analytics
- Employer Of Record (EOR)
- Contractor Management
- Insurance Plans
- Multi-Country Payroll Management
Pricing
Multiplier pricing plans open at $40/month for the Contractor Management plan. The following are the other paid plans offered by Multiplier:
- Employer of Record: Starting at $400/month
- Global Payroll: Custom pricing
- Immigration Services: Custom pricing
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
We chose Multiplier for accounting firms managing sensitive cross-border payroll, where a breach could have serious financial and reputational impacts. The platform holds SOC 2 Type I and II, SOC 3, and ISO 27001:2022 certifications, with annual audits covering confidentiality, processing integrity, and security.
User Ratings
Users find the platform functional and effective, though many reviews point towards slow support responses and occasional billing challenges.
22. Rippling
Rippling is a workforce management platform that combines payroll, HR, IT, and finance in one system. Accounting firms access it through a Client Command Center, where payroll for any client can be processed in just two clicks. It features a consolidated calendar that shows all upcoming payroll deadlines across clients from a single dashboard.
What makes Rippling particularly useful for cost-conscious firms is its payroll forecasting capability. Rippling lets accounting firms compare current pay runs against previous ones, with a single click to dig into changes across gross pay, taxes, and deductions. This helps catch discrepancies before a pay run is finalized.
Pros And Cons
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Best For
Rippling works well for startups and small businesses looking for simple, automated payroll, while also scaling smoothly for mid-sized and enterprise companies.
Key Features
- Automatic Tax Calculation And Payment
- Direct Deposit Or Check Options
- Workers’ Compensation Support
- Federal, State, And Local Tax Filing
- Job Costing And Multiple Pay Rates
Pricing
Rippling pricing starts at $8/employee/month for the HCM module. It follows a per-employee, per-month model. The platform is organized into the following core modules:
- Rippling Platform: $35/month
- Rippling IT: Custom pricing
- Rippling Spend: Custom pricing
Disclaimer: Pricing references are based on publicly available third-party information and industry benchmarks. Actual costs may vary.
Why We Like It
Employee payroll disputes can be a major time drain for accounting firms, often arising from confusion over paycheck details. Rippling’s payslips provide employees with a clear breakdown of hours worked, along with expense reimbursement status and benefits elections. For firms handling clients with large teams, this transparency significantly reduces the back-and-forth that usually falls on the accountant’s desk.
User Ratings
Experienced users commend Rippling for its intuitive platform that simplifies payroll through robust automation and support, although some mention that initial setup can be difficult.
Key Buying Advice
Picking the right payroll system is more than a software choice for accounting firms, because they must ensure clients’ salaries, taxes, and benefits are handled accurately, on time, and in full compliance.
Since payroll errors directly affect client trust, this brings us to one of the most important considerations when choosing a payroll: Integration with the accounting tools. A seamless connection automatically posts payroll entries to ledgers, reducing manual work, minimizing errors, and saving time on reconciliation.
But that’s not enough on its own. Payroll systems also need to be flexible, supporting multiple pay rates, direct deposits, and varied schedules so firms can manage complex payroll without extra manual work. At the same time, they should include compliance and tax support to ensure federal, state, and local filings are accurate, protecting both the firm and its clients from penalties.
Finally, even the best features are useless without responsive customer support. When issues arise, quick guidance keeps payroll cycles smooth, prevents errors from escalating, and reinforces client confidence.
What Not To Overlook
- Hidden fees for contractors or multi-state payroll
- Limitations in handling off-cycle or manual pay runs
- Customization of payroll notifications for employees
- Ease of exporting data for audits or clients
- Local labor law nuances in global payroll
- Accuracy of benefit deduction configurations
- Support for garnishments or complex deductions
- Frequency and clarity of software updates
- Accessibility of historical payroll data
Even with a robust system, these subtle factors can affect daily efficiency and client satisfaction. Focusing on them helps your firm avoid surprises, keep payroll running smoothly, and provide a professional and seamless experience for both your team and clients.