Choosing your payroll management software
It's not always easy to choose your payroll software or trust a publisher if you're not used to using this kind of service. So it's vital to do your homework, find out what's on offer and, above all, compare the different packages to select the one that suits you best.
Define your needs and evaluate the offers
To choose a management software package, you first need to be clear about your company's requirements and know what you really need. There's no need to invest a lot of money in high-performance software if you don't need all the functions. You also need to define who will need to use the software, so you know whether you're going to opt for single-user, multi-user or SaaS software. Once you've defined your needs, establish the budget available for purchasing the software and put the various management solution suppliers out to tender.
Check the features on offer
Your payroll management software should produce pay slips, give you the option of drawing up slips for declaring social security contributions and make it easy to file electronic returns. It's up to you to define the functions you need. Some software packages integrate payroll entries directly into your company's accounts. You can also draw up various documents such as Pôle Emploi certificates, employment contracts and payroll books.
Software that adapts to you
Don't choose a software package that is too rigid for you to get used to. You need to be able to configure it to suit your way of working and make your job easier. Payroll management is complex enough as it is, so don't make it more complicated by adding features that are too hard to use. Check that you can customise the software and that the ergonomics are appropriate. The software should be easy to read and the interface pleasant to look at. You are likely to spend a lot of time on this software, so opt for a readable medium. Some media can be tested for a month before commitment. Take the time to get to grips with the software and check that it is suitable for your business.
Regular updates
This check is imperative! In the field of payroll management, changes in legislation, rates and social security contributions are constantly evolving. You really need to find out what updates will be offered to update the data in your software. There is often a charge for this for workstation-based software, so don't overlook this cost, which can be an additional burden on your budget and one that you won't be able to reduce if you want to run the risk of your software becoming obsolete very quickly.
Securing your data
Make sure that the management software supplier offers a genuine system for securing your information so that you don't have to worry about losing data or hacking into your payroll management system. Contrary to popular belief, SaaS software offers a strong security system and takes an active interest in protecting all the information you entrust to the remote platform.
Article translated from French