Simplified StartupTrust depends on it
Late or wrong paychecks quickly hurt team morale.
Payroll that runs ontime, every time.
Payroll setup and management for small businesses and startups, using trusted platforms like Gusto, ADP, and QuickBooks Payroll, and it lands correctly in your books.
We manage payroll through your platform, which handles tax deposits and filings. Worker classification, tax, and HR/legal matters should be confirmed with your CPA, attorney, or HR advisor.
Gusto · ADP · QuickBooks Payroll W-2 & 1099 Recorded in your books Reviewed before every run
Why it matters
Payroll has no room for mistakes.
Your team counts on being paid correctly and on time. Behind every paycheck are hours, deductions, tax withholdings, and records that all need to line up.
Deadlines don’t move
Pay dates and tax deposit schedules repeat all year.
Your books need it too
Payroll is often a business’s largest expense and must be recorded accurately.
Good payroll is invisible. Your team gets paid, your books stay clean, and nothing slips through the cracks.
How it works
Your payroll cycle.
The same six steps repeat every pay period, so nothing gets missed.
Collect
Hours, time off, bonuses, and changes gathered.
Review
Totals checked against last period and approvals.
Approve
You approve the payroll before it runs.
Pay
Direct deposits sent through your payroll platform.
Record
Payroll entries posted correctly in your books.
Report
Payroll summary shared with you each period.
Software
Payroll platforms we work with.
GustoQuickBooks PayrollADPRipplingPaychexOnPayDeel
Already using a platform? We work inside it. Need one? We help you compare options.
Who you pay
W-2 employees vs 1099 contractors.
Employees and contractors are paid and reported differently. Here’s a simple, general comparison.
W-2 Employee
1099 Contractor
Who they are
People on your payroll, working under your direction
Independent workers running their own business
Tax withholding
Taxes withheld from each paycheck
No withholding; they handle their own taxes
Year-end form
Form W-2
Form 1099-NEC (when required)
Forms at hiring
W-4 and I-9
W-9
Benefits
May be eligible for benefits
Usually not eligible
General information only. Worker classification depends on federal and state rules, so confirm with your CPA or attorney.
Pay schedules
Pay schedule options.
Choose how often your team gets paid. Some states have rules on pay frequency, so we check before setup.
Weekly
0
Paydays per yearCommon for hourly teams and trades.
Biweekly
0
Paydays per yearEvery other week; a popular choice.
Semi-monthly
0
Paydays per yearTwice a month on set dates.
Monthly
0
Paydays per yearOnce a month; less common for hourly staff.
Inside a paycheck
What’s on every payroll.
Each pay run combines these pieces. We make sure each one is set up and recorded correctly.
What we help prevent
Payroll mistakes we help avoid.
The mistake
How we help
Missed pay dates
Payroll calendar with reminders before every run.
Wrong pay rates or hours
Changes reviewed and approved before payroll runs.
Not registered in a new state
State registration flagged when you hire in a new state.
Payroll not matching the books
Every pay run recorded and reconciled in your accounting software.
Untracked paid time off
PTO balances tracked inside your payroll platform.
Missing contractor forms
W-9s collected and contractor payments tracked for year-end.
Hiring someone new
New hire onboarding checklist.
Each new employee needs a few things set up before their first paycheck.
Form W-4 completed
Form I-9 completed and kept on file
State withholding forms (if required)
Direct deposit details collected
Pay rate and schedule confirmed
Benefits enrollment (if offered)
State new hire report submitted
Added to payroll platform and time tracking
Requirements vary by state. Your payroll platform and HR advisor can confirm what applies.
Every engagement includes
From platform setup to year-end coordination.
Payroll platform setup or review
Employee and contractor profiles added
Pay schedules and pay rates set up
Direct deposit setup
Each payroll run reviewed before approval
Payroll recorded in QuickBooks or Xero
Contractor payment tracking
Year-end W-2 and 1099 coordination through your platform
Payroll summary each pay period
Who uses payroll services
Make payroll the easiest part of your week.
Businesses hiring their first employee and setting up payroll for the first time.
Owners running payroll themselves who want it off their plate.
Teams with employees in several states or a mix of employees and contractors.
Startups growing headcount that need payroll and books to stay in sync.
Common questions
Asked before every setup.
It depends on team size, pay frequency, and the number of states. Payroll platform fees are separate. We share pricing on the free call.
Payroll tax deposits and filings are handled by your payroll platform, such as Gusto or ADP. We make sure payroll is set up and recorded correctly.
Yes. We set up contractor payments in your platform and track them for year-end forms.
Yes. We flag new state requirements so registrations can be set up before the first paycheck in that state.
It depends on team size, benefits, and budget. We can compare options like Gusto, ADP, and QuickBooks Payroll with you.
Yes: every pay run is posted and reconciled in QuickBooks or Xero, so payroll (often your largest expense) always matches your reports.
Payroll Services
Make payroll the easiest part of your week.
Book a free call to talk through your team, pay schedule, and payroll setup, we’ll review how you pay your team today and what a cleaner setup would look like.