Adding payroll services to your accounting firm can feel like a big leap. If you’re considering it, you’ve probably wrestled with questions like:
- Do I even want to run a payroll company?
- How much will it cost to get started?
- How many staff members will I need to manage it?
- Will this take time and focus away from my core services?
These are valid concerns. Payroll can be a game-changer for your practice, but it comes with its share of challenges—at least if you’re trying to do it all yourself.
That’s exactly why we created our partner program: to help accounting firms add payroll services without the overwhelm. Think of it like leasing a Ferrari before you buy one—you get the benefits without the full commitment of building a payroll business from scratch.
Here’s how we address the most common concerns firms have about adding payroll services—and how Whirks partner program can help.
1. “Do I Really Want to Build a Payroll Company?”
This is the first question most firm owners grapple with. Running payroll isn’t just another service—it can feel like building a whole new business within your firm. You might wonder if this fits into your long-term vision:
- Are you trying to scale your firm to sell it?
- Do you want to increase your firm’s value by offering more services?
- Is payroll something you want to take on, or does it feel like a distraction?
These are important questions, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But we’ve learned that payroll doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing commitment.
Our partner model lets you test the waters. You can start small—offering payroll to a few clients—and grow at your own pace. Whether you want to support just a handful of clients or scale payroll into a major revenue stream, we’ll help you ease into it at a pace that fits your goals.
2. “It’s Too Expensive to Get Started”
Payroll technology isn’t cheap. The cost of payroll technology is one of the biggest barriers for accounting firms. Many firms shy away from offering payroll services because of the steep upfront investment in software and systems.
With our partnership model, you don’t have to worry about tech overhead. We provide the platform—no major upfront costs are required. And this isn’t just any software; it’s human capital management (HCM) technology that supports clients from pre-hire to retirement.
You’ll have the tools to handle any type of payroll client without the financial risk of investing in tech before you’re ready.
3. “How Many Staff Members Will I Need?”
Building an in-house payroll team sounds like a lot of work. Hiring, training, and managing an entirely new division can feel daunting.
Many firms assume they’ll need to hire multiple employees to manage payroll effectively, but with the right processes and technology, you can run a lean payroll service bureau with just 1–2 team members.
Our partner program teaches you how to streamline operations, automate repetitive tasks, and use your existing resources efficiently while keeping staffing needs minimal. This means less overhead for you and more time to focus on growing your practice.
4. “Will This Take Focus Away from My Core Services?”
Many firm owners worry that adding payroll will distract from their primary accounting services. But what if payroll could actually enhance the rest of your practice?
Here’s what we’ve seen firsthand:
- Streamlined processes: Integrating payroll into your practice creates efficiencies. With everything in one database, your accounting team spends less time tracking down payroll data and more time getting books out the door faster.
- Stronger client relationships: Offering payroll makes your services “stickier” and increases client retention. When you handle everything in the back office, it simplifies their lives—and increases their loyalty to your firm.
We’ll also share the best practices we’ve developed for selling payroll as part of your accounting deals. With the right approach, payroll doesn’t just complement your core services—it enhances them.
Grow at Your Own Pace
Whether you’re looking to add payroll services for a few select clients or scale it into a full-service offering, we’re here to help you grow at a pace that makes sense for your firm.
Adding payroll doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools, guidance, and support, it can become a powerful value-add for your practice, enhancing efficiency and client retention and creating new revenue streams.
Understand the True Costs of Payroll
If you’re still weighing the pros and cons, it’s important to understand all the costs involved—not just the obvious ones. Staffing, compliance, software, and hidden expenses can all add up.
We’ve put together a resource to help you think through it all: The True Cost of Payroll Services.
It’ll tell you what to expect as you take the next step in your payroll journey.
Because sometimes, it’s not about taking the leap—it’s about knowing exactly where you’re landing.
