ADP and its suite of payroll services and help with benefits, tax and compliance issues, isn't just for the big companies. It has a division devoted to small companies like yours that can help both established small businesses and new entrepreneurs. Outsourcing your payroll also should help you avoid costly mistakes in your tax paperwork because you have an expert who is up on the latest regulations, working on your behalf.

There are three primary areas where ADP can lighten your load:

1. Payroll management
2. Tax and compliance
3. Human resource issues

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

Hand over the payroll headache

Payroll isn't only about paying employees promptly. There's recordkeeping, calculation and payment of payroll taxes, and more. Monthly or quarterly tax reports are managed by ADP, as is end-of-the-year paperwork.

I recommend: To learn more about outsourcing your payroll, go to ADP's outsourcing and payroll management Web site.

Let the pros tackle taxes and regulations

You are likely quite good at what you do, but chances are, taxes and laws are not your areas of expertise. ADP tracks, monitors and applies payroll tax laws to your business, so that you don't have to. Furthermore, ADP can help protect your company from penalties due to mistakes or late filings with new hire reporting.

I recommend: Check out ADP's tax compliance products and services.

Take advantage of HR help

Many small businesses don't have the luxury of a full human resources department yet it's a critical area of business. Analyze whether it's worth outsourcing the function compared to the cost of building your own in-house staff. ADP, for example, offers EasyHire, an Internet solution for pre- and post-hire HR needs. It includes unlimited HR support and an intuitive online applicant screening process. It provides background checking, job fit assessment testing, drug screening and certified HR support, among other services. ADP offers retirement savings program, such as the Simple IRA and ADP 401(k) plan. HR services also include tools for time and labor management, workers compensation and more.

I recommend: Check out ADP's Easy Hire , Premium Only Plan, Simple IRA, and 401(k) offerings.

Look before you buy

ADP is a large company with a large number of clients and, like any industry leader, has its fans and foes.Chances are you know someone with first-hand operating experience with ADP products who can give you the customer's point of view.

I recommend: Read love 'em/hate 'em comments from ADP customers at Epinions.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're just getting started in business, ADP offers information on how to choose a form and business, a tax and finance overview, employment regulations, and a primer on how to protect your business with patents, trademarks and copyrights.
• •  In the unlikely event that a payroll provider makes incorrect tax calculations, the provider may assume the penalties that result.
• •  You know how important it is to get the right people on your staff. You may not have the resources or time to conduct substantial background checks on your own. ADP's standard EasyHire service includes instant Social Security Number validations, instant identification of applicant's county of residence for the past seven years and county felony criminal history checks for up to three counties per applicant.