ABRA PAYROLL
Sage Software Inc.
Abra Payroll, part of the line of Sage Abra HRMS solutions, handles payroll on the desktop or a network. Users can create special payroll runs, evaluate data and reconcile payrolls and quarter-ends with online analyses, generate cost accounting and labor distribution reports, secure sensitive payroll data, prepare payroll taxes, manage direct deposit, and print custom checks. It also features standard, ad hoc query, and Crystal reporting options. An employee self-service option supports online paystubs, check history, W-2s and W-4s.
Advertisement
Year introduced: 1997.
Current version: 7.4.
Pricing: Single user - $1,840 (for up to 75-employee companies); multi-user - $510 each additional user; avg. price per module - $968; suite of core modules - starts at $3,530.
Maint./support: Averages 20 percent to 25 percent of license price per year, includes quarterly tax and legislative updates, version upgrades, unlimited telephone and Web technical support. Tech support - included in annual fee.
Training: Three-day payroll classroom training - $1,320.
Customer contact: (800) 424-9392, or certified business partners.
Web site: www.sageabra.com.
EASYPAYNET
ADP Employer Services
ADP's EasyPayNet is an Internet-hosted payroll offering that streamlines data collection, calculation of payroll totals and taxes, and other payroll and employer services. Clients can print checks, pay vouchers and reports, or have them delivered. Accountants can use EasyPayNet to process their clients' payrolls in a wholesale arrangement.
Year introduced: 1999.
Current version: 5.0.
Recent notable enhancements: Customized workflow determines steps needed to complete payroll; customized pay input screens to arrange columns to match input documents; and on-screen audit to review payroll before processing. General Ledger Interface allows accountants or clients to map their payroll data to their accounting application. Web-based Data Access Suite application lets accountants share payroll-related data with clients, regardless of payroll input method.
Pricing: Contact vendor.
Maint./support: Included with purchase.
Training: Included with purchase.
Customer contact: Lisa Appello, lisa_appello@adp.com or (866) 4ASK-ADP.
Web site: www.accountant.adp.com.
PAYCHEX ONLINE PAYROLL SERVICE
Paychex Inc.
This Internet-based program serves small and midsized businesses. Paychex Online Payroll enables businesses to enter payroll, create checks, change employee records and access other payroll options, all at the user's convenience, 24/7. With client authorization, payroll data is also available to users' accountants. Payroll reports can be delivered online or printed and sent to the client via mail. The Paychex service also allows payroll information to be posted directly to most accounting software. Paychex is the preferred payroll provider for the AICPA Business Solutions Partner Program.
Year introduced: 2001.
Recent notable enhancements: CPAs and clients now can access quarterly and annual state tax returns, employee W-2s and employer W-3s online.
Pricing: Varies; contact vendor.
Maint./support: Tech support included.
Training: Included.
Customer contact: (800) 322-7292 or sales@paychex.com.
