Improve the functionality of QuickBooks Payroll software by seeking training opportunities to assist with program features and enable you to expand your use of the accounting software. Education will also keep you up to date on new QuickBooks versions and third-party tools that you can use with QuickBooks Payroll to increase its effectiveness.

Whether you want to receive certification to showcase your expertise with the QuickBooks Payroll service, need to brush up on QuickBooks enhanced payroll features or simply want to learn more about the software before you buy QuickBooks Payroll, there’s a class or training seminar to help you do it. Consider the following options:

1. Enroll in classes offered by a financial school or a QuickBooks Payroll vendor to learns the ins and outs of the software so you can customize it to suit your business’ payroll requirements.
2. Sign up for seminars for additional QuickBooks Payroll information or to receive focused training on a specific feature or module of the software like QuickBooks Payroll Checks or QuickBooks Online Payroll.
3. Find online training opportunities to discover more features of Intuit QuickBooks Complete Payroll to improve the efficiency of your accounting department without interrupting its current operation.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take classes on QuickBooks Payroll before adopting the system to ensure a smooth transition

In addition to training business owners on QuickBooks Payroll solutions from the ground up, some providers will also set the system up for you and then provide Quick Books Payroll training to help you use it efficiently.

I recommend: Take a class through CPA Johanna Fox to discover how QuickBooks Payroll solutions can help to switch to automated payroll processing or how to make use of the Payroll module if you are currently using QuickBooks without it. Contact QuickBooks Headquarters for setting up, customizing and training on the QuickBooks Payroll services.

Attend seminars from QuickBooks Payroll providers to receive training on special software features

Specialized workshops give you more time to focus on individual features of the software to help you fine tune your payroll process. Seminars can help you decide if you need a QuickBooks Payroll subscription and if there are any additional QuickBooks modules that you need to run your business.

I recommend: Get additional QuickBooks Payroll information through a QuickBooks seminar provided by the Small Business Development Center at Widener University. Bill Morlong, accredited tax accountant, offers training and support seminars for Quick Books Payroll and QuickBooks Online Payroll.

Use online or DVD training modules to learn new features of QuickBooks payroll at your own pace

Get additional QuickBooks Payroll information through webinars and online training courses that let you learn at your convenience and without leaving your place of business.

I recommend: Whether you use QuickBooks Payroll for Mac or PC, get additional training on the software with webinars and self-paced learning opportunities from its manufacturer, Intuit. Goliath offers an instructor-led online training course on the QuickBooks Payroll capabilities to create checks, pay tax liabilities and analyze payroll data.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When networking with other professionals in your line of business, discuss the type of accounting software they use. Whether they use QuickBooks Payroll solutions or software from another company, you may be able to learn handy shortcuts, features or additional uses for it.

Being your own boss certainly has its perks, but one of them is not handling accounts payable and employee payroll. Thanks to QuickBooks payroll software, you don't have to handle it alone.

Using an accounting software suite can provide you with the most precious resource you need as a small business owner —time. Intuit QuickBooks Complete Payroll also offers:

1. Employee information tabs for easy W-2 mailings.

2. Time clock connectivity for automatic QuickBooks payroll checks generation.

3. Bonus and pay raise help features that can make wage changes much simpler.

4. Online updating to keep up with the IRS’s latest withholding percentages.

5. The QuickBooks Payroll Subscription – it provides real people to help with your questions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine how much help you need before you buy QuickBooks Payroll

Intuit offers 3 levels of QuickBooks Payroll Subscription that you may or may not need to process your company's payroll: basic, enhanced and assisted. The basic subscription is simple payroll, no taxes involved; your accountant will need to handle that part. QuickBooks Enhanced Payroll enables you to handle your own tax filings. The premium service, QuickBooks Assisted Payroll, comes with a tax filing service from Intuit.

I recommend: Get the details and see demos of the levels of QuickBooks Payroll solutions. If you don’t have QuickBooks, you’ll need it to subscribe to a payroll feature. You can download the Free QuickBooks Simple Start 2008 to get you started. It’s compatible with every level of QuickBooks Payroll.

Enhance your QuickBooks payroll service with add on features.

Your employees will appreciate the option to have their paychecks direct deposited into their bank accounts. You'll like the time and money savings of not having to process payroll at your desk.

I recommend: Buy Payroll Direct Deposit for your employees, and you can fully automate payday. Or process payroll from afar with QuickBooks Online Payroll, which requires QuickBooks Online.

Let Intuit train you on QuickBooks Payroll software

Take a class or complete an online tutorial to learn how to set up your QuickBooks Payroll, and then learn about advanced features that could make your life even easier. Set up your time clock to connect directly to your computer and record employee time punches, and by the time payday comes around, payroll's ready to print.

I recommend: Intuit endorses classes offered through Real World Training. Free video courses are available through Intuit’s training website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take the video courses before you try setting up your new QuickBooks Payroll Subscription, to get familiar with the lingo and features.
• •  If your accountant is available to set up your software, that's even better. He may be able to import reports and information from previous years so that you can have all of your business records in one place.

QuickBooks software, produced by Intuit, allows users to manage their financial data, including payroll, in-house. This software has dominated the accounting industry and is an award-winning program. In order to reach the largest audience, QuickBooks provides three different levels of payroll processing. Intuit also offers web-based versions of the software that you can download instead of buying the off-the-shelf version. QuickBooks payroll key terms can help you determine whether you need the basic, enhanced or assisted level of service.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Employer of record

The government requires businesses to maintain accurate records detailing how many hours a person works; the amount of overtime, if any; the person's wage, or rate of pay; the tax deductions for each employee and any other required information. In most cases, companies that act as the employer of record are doing so to offer a form of protection to the client.

I recommend: IndiePay describes the purpose of an employer of record and discusses whether or not this service acts as protection for the client.

Automated payroll processing

With automated payroll processing, you turn your payroll obligations over to QuickBooks or another payroll processing company. The service you use then takes care of the aspects involved in payroll. With QuickBooks, the software calculates your payroll and payroll documents, then generates checks, which you can print out and sign.

I recommend: Microsoft provides information on the advantages of automated payroll processing as it compares with manual data collection and processing.

Balance statements

Balance statements provide a financial snapshot of your business. Payroll software programs such as QuickBooks usually keep records for your other financial information aside from payroll, and generate balance statements for you based on this information. Your payroll counts as a liability on your balance statements, so it plays an important part in that arena.

I recommend: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission offers a beginner's guide to balance statements. Its description shows why your payroll is a liability on your balance statement.

Tax liabilities

When you pay your employees, you create a situation that becomes a tax liability. Because your employee earns wages from your company, your business must pay its portion of the tax to the appropriate agencies.

I recommend: Investopedia ULC, a Forbes digital company, explains what a tax liability is and offers related terms with links that provide additional information.

Time clock connectivity

Time clock connectivity links your employee's attendance to the software calculating your payroll, providing a more accurate payment system. Some time clock connectivity systems work in conjunction with employee badges or fingerprints.

I recommend: Read the specifications available for different time clock connectivity systems available from Timeclockzone.com. It offers information on automated and biometric systems, including the benefits of each.

Withholding percentages

The withholding percentages for payroll vary based on each worker's income, or earnings. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides the percentage in a tax withholding table. To be accurate with your payroll and tax liability calculations, you need to use a payroll software such as QuickBooks to find the correct withholding percentages for your employees.

I recommend: Suburban Computer offers tax withholding tables for 2009. The Internal Revenue Service provides updates on the withholding percentages and tables.