The bookkeeping and accounting industry is steadily growing. It is expected to reach $553.22 billion by 2025 and $671.13 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9 percent. As the demand for financial services increases, accounting professionals face greater pressure to deliver accurate, compliant, and efficient solutions, especially when it comes to payroll.
Managing payroll goes beyond routine tasks. It is a critical responsibility that demands precision, regulatory awareness, and time-saving tools. The right payroll software simplifies tax filings, reduces the risk of errors, and enhances collaboration with clients.
This blog will take you through the top 9 best payroll software for accountants and bookkeepers, examining their features, pricing, and what makes each one unique.
Company | Best For | Features | Pricing |
OnPay Payroll | Accountants Managing Multiple Clients | Multi-client dashboard Custom accounting integrations Flexible user permissions | Startes at $49/per month |
Rippling | Automatic Tax Calculations in Multiple States | Automated error detection Custom payroll reporting Multi-state tax support | Stating from $21-to $29/user/month
|
Wave Payroll | Small Businesses to Manage Payroll | Contractor tax handling Auto-synced accounting Unlimited invoicing access | Starter Plan is free, Pro Plan starts at $16/month
|
Gusto | Global Payroll Management | Customizable payroll reports Proactive accountant alerts Automated payroll reminders | Starting from $49 to $180
|
Justworks | Bookkeepers Handling Multiple Clients | Centralized client dashboard R&D tax credits Seamless accounting integration | Starting from $8 to $599 |
Patriot Payroll | Payroll Affordability and Simplicity | Cash-accrual flexibility Unlimited invoicing tools AI-powered categorization | $20 for accounting and $37 for Full-service payroll |
Square Payroll | Hassle Free Payroll Solution | Automated tax filings Flexible payment options Labor cost insights | Starts at $35/month |
Paycom | Businesses Seeking a Complete HR And Payroll Software | Employee-managed payroll GL data integration Custom payroll mapping | Starting from $25 to $36 |
ADP Workforce Now | Scalable payroll across global teams | Global payroll coverage Automated deductions handling SUI claims management | $23–30/employee/month |
OnPay is a payroll and HR software designed to simplify payroll processing and HR tasks. It is commonly used by HR professionals, accountants, and small to medium-sized business owners to manage payroll, benefits, and compliance efficiently.
Unique Features
- OnPay Payroll provides an intuitive dashboard that allows users to manage multiple client accounts immediately, making it easy to scale operations or dive deeper into individual client details
- It ensures accuracy in the general ledger with customizable integrations to popular accounting tools like QuickBooks (Desktop and Online), Xero, and time tracking apps, keeping every detail in sync
- The software offers multiple levels of user permissions, allowing accounting firms to maintain control, delegate tasks within their team, or hand off payroll responsibilities to clients as needed
Pricing
The software offers a $49/month base cost with an additional $6/person/month.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why Choose OnPay Payroll?
OnPay is built with accounting professionals in mind, offering unlimited payroll runs, automated tax filings, and support for both W-2 and 1099 workers. It helps reduce compliance risks and streamlines client management with robust reporting tools, employee self-service, and seamless integration with major accounting software.
Rippling HR is considered as a multi-functional software that streamlines HR, IT, and finance processes, making it a smart choice for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that aim to manage employee data and systems efficiently. The software supports global payroll processing that benefits accounting professionals by offering automation, error detection, and deep reporting to handle complex payroll tasks with precision.
Unique Features
- Rippling automatically flags discrepancies between draft pay runs and previous payrolls, helping professionals quickly identify and resolve potential errors before finalizing payroll
- Fully configurable payroll reports give accounting teams the visibility they need to track issues and client questions. Users can drill down into employee records to audit pay, time, or benefits history
- Rippling supports complex pay structures, including auto-adjusted rates for job functions within a shift and automatic tax calculations for employees working across multiple states or locations
Pricing
Rippling charges companies on a monthly subscription basis, offering $21-$29/user/month, depending on the scope and modules included.
Disclaimer: The pricing has been sourced from third-party websites and is subject to change.
Why Choose Rippling?
Rippling helps accountants deliver error-free payroll with automated processing that updates changes across the entire system, minimizing the risk of costly mistakes. Its powerful automation ensures consistency, while its extensive library of accounting integrations like NetSuite, Campfire, and Sage Intacct, and Campfire, makes it easier to sync payroll data seamlessly with financial systems.
Wave Payroll is a cloud-based software that helps business owners to create professional invoices, accept online payments, and manage accounting tasks efficiently, all within a single platform.
Unique Features
- Wave enables users to make payments, record accounting entries, and file tax documents for independent contractors with ease
- Payroll is automatically synced with Wave’s accounting, invoicing, and online payment features, ensuring all financial records remain accurate and up to date
- Users can generate unlimited estimates, invoices, bills, and bookkeeping records, supporting streamlined financial operations without added cost
Pricing
The software offers two pricing plans:
- Starter Plan - It comes with a free plan with limited features, along with a few add-ons
- Pro Plan - $16/month with advanced features
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why Choose Wave Payroll?
Wave offers free tools to handle basic accounting and bookkeeping functions, making it a budget-friendly option for professionals managing smaller operations. Wave Payroll provides essential features like direct deposit, tax deductions, and check printing, making it ideal for small businesses seeking straightforward payroll management.
Gusto is a cloud-based payroll, benefits, and human resource management software. It automates payroll runs, files payroll taxes, administers health insurance and other employee benefits, and manages HR processes. It is also commonly used by startups, small business owners, bookkeepers, and HR professionals to organize and simplify payroll, benefits, hiring, and HR compliance tasks.
Unique Features
- Gusto HR software provides a suite of reports to help with accounting, taxes, and analyzing labor costs. Individual reports can be customized and exported to simplify payment processing
- It offers proactive alerts for accountants to help clients with tasks like unblocking payrolls, addressing time-sensitive issues, and simplifying onboarding
- The software provides a comprehensive list of upcoming payroll deadlines and alerts for missed payrolls, helping accountants stay organized and keep clients on track
Pricing
The software offers three pricing tiers:
- Simple - $49/month ($6/person/month)
- Plus - $80/month ($12/person/month)
- Premium - $180/month ($22/person/month)
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why Choose Gusto?
Gusto Global is not just a payroll service but an all-in-one global HR and compliance software tailored for businesses with international teams. It helps bookkeepers and accountants by automating complex global payroll processes and providing unified data that integrates with accounting software like Bookkeeper360 and Aplos. This ultimately streamlines payroll management for global workforces.
Justworks is a comprehensive HR and payroll software designed to support small businesses and entrepreneurs at every stage of growth. It offers an all-in-one solution that combines payroll, HR, benefits administration, and compliance, making it suitable for bookkeepers managing multiple administrative tasks for clients or their own business.
Unique Features
- The ’Advisor Dashboard’ lets you manage all your clients from a single sign-in, streamlining your workflow
- The platform supports R&D tax credit processing, helping eligible clients maximize tax savings efficiently
- Justworks integrates with top accounting platforms, making it easy to sync payroll data with your preferred bookkeeping software like Xero accounting solution
Pricing
The software offers four pricing plans:
- Payroll - $8/month/employee (+ $50/month base fee)
- PEO Basic - $79/month/employee
- PEO Plus - $109/month/employee
- EOR - $599/month/employee
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why Choose Justworks?
Justworks ’Accountant Partner Program’ is well-suited for bookkeepers and accounting professionals alike seeking a comprehensive, scalable payroll and HR platform with advanced tools, dedicated support, and incentives for growing their practice.
Patriot Payroll is accounting and payroll software for small businesses and accounting firms. It’s commonly used by business owners, bookkeepers, and accountants to manage payroll processing, tax filings, HR, time tracking, and bookkeeping.
Unique Features
- Switch effortlessly between cash and accrual accounting methods without complex conversions, ensuring accurate financial reporting
- Create and send unlimited invoices, manage vendor payments, and process 1099s and 1096s with ease
- The software uses intelligent AI technology to provide smart recommendations, helping bookkeepers and accountants categorize transactions quickly and reduce manual effort
Pricing
The following are the pricing plans:
- Accounting Basic - $20/month
- Accounting Premium - $30/month
- Basic Payroll - $17/month + $4/worker
- Full-Service Payroll - $37/month + $5/worker
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why Choose Patriot Payroll?
Patriot Payroll is a strong choice for accounting professionals supporting small businesses that require reliable and affordable payroll processing. It is especially well-suited for firms operating on a budget. Patriot offers essential capabilities like unlimited payroll runs, automated tax filings, direct deposit, and seamless integration with its accounting software, helping reduce manual tasks and ensure compliance.
Square Payroll is an intuitive, cloud-based payroll software designed to simplify payroll processing, automate federal tax payments, support employee self-onboarding, and maintain compliance for small businesses. It integrates seamlessly with Square’s point of sale (POS) system, making it especially valuable for businesses as well as accountants and bookkeepers who already use Square Payroll for sales, payments, and financial reporting.
Unique Features
- It helps calculate, withhold, and file federal and state payroll taxes on behalf of the user, ensuring compliance and reducing administrative workload
- Square Payroll supports various payment methods, including direct deposit, check, and Cash App, providing flexibility to meet different employee preferences
- The software provides detailed insights into labor costs, including wages and hours worked, aiding in financial planning and analysis
Pricing
The following are the pricing plans:
- Full-service payroll - $35/month (+$6/person/month)
- Contractor-only payroll - $6/person/month
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why Choose Square Payroll?
Square Payroll is an excellent choice for accounting professionals and bookkeepers supporting small businesses. It automates payroll tax filings in all 50 states, supports multiple payment methods, and offers mobile access for managing payroll on the go. Its simplicity and flexibility help streamline payroll processing and reduce the administrative burden for client accounts.
Paycom is a comprehensive, cloud-based human capital management (HCM) software that integrates payroll, HR, and workforce management into a single platform. Designed for businesses of all sizes, it offers tools that streamline administrative processes, enhance compliance, and provide real-time data insights.
Unique Features
- ’Beti’ Feature empowers employees to manage their own payroll, allowing them to identify and correct errors before submission, reducing post-payroll adjustments
- Paycom’s ’GL Concierge’ simplifies the process of transferring payroll data by enabling seamless integration with general ledger systems and ensuring accurate synchronization with accounting software
- Customize how payroll data is organized and mapped to fit your unique chart of accounts and reporting needs, ensuring perfect imports every time
Pricing
Paycom employs a per-employee-per-month (PEPM) pricing model, with fees varying based on company size and selected modules. Generally, the cost ranges from $25 to $36/employee/month.
Disclaimer: The pricing has been sourced from third-party websites and is subject to change.
Why Choose Paycom?
Paycom is built to support accounting professionals who rely on precise, real-time financial data. With tools like GL Concierge, it simplifies general ledger mapping and automates payroll data transfers into accounting systems. Accountants benefit from customizable file layouts, detailed audit trails, and accurate, real-time reporting, all in one unified software.
ADP Workforce Now is a feature-rich and scalable payroll and HR solution built for businesses of all sizes. It automates key tasks like payroll processing, tax filings, and employee payments, helping reduce errors and maintain compliance. With built-in AI error detection and support for multi-client management, it is particularly well-suited for accountants and bookkeepers handling multiple business accounts.
Unique Features
- It offers full-service payroll support across all 50 U.S. states and in over 140 countries, making it ideal for businesses with a distributed or international workforce
- ADP automatically handles employee deductions for retirement plans, insurance premiums, and wage garnishments, reducing manual entry and ensuring accuracy
- The software helps manage state unemployment insurance (SUI) by overseeing claims administration and monitoring for incorrect charges, saving time and preventing costly errors
Pricing
Depending on the company size, the ADP Workforce Now costs between $23–30/employee/month.
Disclaimer: The pricing has been sourced from third-party websites and is subject to change.
Why Choose ADP Workforce Now?
ADP is the preferred choice for accounting professionals and business owners who want to offer payroll services without getting buried in compliance and tax complexities. Handling payroll in-house can be time-consuming and overwhelming, especially when managing multi-state tax rules, filing deadlines, and ever-changing regulations. ADP Workforce Now takes this burden off your shoulders with its automated tax filings, compliance support, and multi-state expertise.
So Which Payroll Software To Utilize?
We are almost at the finish line. Time to recap for those who were skimming through the blog.
Circling down on the right payroll software depends on the unique needs of bookkeepers and accounting professionals. Whether you prioritize automation, affordability, multi-client management, or global capabilities, each tool listed offers features to streamline payroll tasks, ensure compliance, and save time. Evaluate your clients’ requirements to select the solution that best supports your workflow and business growth.
But, if you’re still unsure about which tool to pick, visit our resource center for more software listicles and comparisons.