ADP Workforce Now
Comprehensive HR and payroll platform for mid-sized businesses with integrated payroll, benefits, talent management, and compliance tools.
SurePayroll
Website: www.surepayroll.com
SurePayroll at a glance
- Best for
- Micro-business payroll (1–10 employees)
- Pricing model
- Base fee plus per-employee monthly charge
- Deployment
- Cloud, with iOS and Android apps
- Regions
- United States
- Key integrations
- QuickBooks, Xero, Sage 50, AccountEdge
Last reviewed . Pricing and features change frequently — confirm current details with the vendor.
SurePayroll is an online payroll service for small US businesses, covering automated tax filing, direct deposit, and workers’ compensation integration. It operates as a Paychex subsidiary, positioned at the smaller end of the market than the Paychex Flex platform.
How accounting firms use it
Firms typically work through the accountant partner program, which provides one login for managing payroll across a client base rather than a separate account per client. The platform calculates and files federal, state, and local payroll taxes, runs direct deposit, and generates year-end W-2 and 1099 forms. Because the interface is deliberately simple, it lowers the training burden when moving a client from spreadsheets or manual cheques to outsourced payroll for the first time.
Partner firms generally choose between billing clients directly at a wholesale rate and referring clients for a commission — a decision that usually comes down to whether payroll is a billable service line or a retention tool.
Key features
Payroll runs support multiple pay schedules, hourly and salaried staff, and contractor payments. Automatic tax filing covers all three levels of US payroll tax. Optional add-ons include workers’ compensation administered on a pay-as-you-go basis, 401(k) integration, and health benefits. A separate household payroll product covers nannies and domestic staff, which is a recurring need for firms serving high-net-worth individuals.
Who it’s best for
Clients with roughly one to ten employees and straightforward pay structures — a single state, no complex benefits, no union rules. The economics work best where a small headcount keeps the per-employee component low and the firm wants minimal administrative involvement.
Clients with larger headcounts, multi-state payroll, benefits administration, or HR compliance needs generally move to Gusto, Paychex Flex, or ADP Workforce Now. Firms serving domestic employers often keep this platform specifically for the household payroll product even when the rest of their client base sits elsewhere.
SurePayroll FAQ
- Does SurePayroll integrate with QuickBooks?
- Yes. Payroll data can be exported to QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop, and integrations are also available for Xero, Sage 50, and AccountEdge. The integration posts payroll journals rather than syncing bidirectionally, so the accounting platform remains the system of record for the general ledger.
- How does the accountant partner program work?
- Firms sign up through a dedicated partner program that provides a single login for managing payroll across multiple client accounts. Partners generally choose between billing the client directly at a wholesale rate and referring the client for a commission.
- Does it file payroll taxes automatically?
- Yes, on plans that include full tax service. Federal, state, and local payroll taxes are calculated, filed, and paid automatically, and year-end W-2 and 1099 generation is included. A lower-cost self-service tier leaves filing to the employer.
- What are the main alternatives?
- Gusto is the most common comparison for small-business payroll with a stronger benefits and onboarding layer. Patriot Payroll competes at a similar price point, and Paychex Flex or ADP suit clients that outgrow micro-business payroll or need benefits administration and HR support.
SurePayroll Alternatives
Other payroll tools for accounting firms, ordered by how much of SurePayroll's functionality they cover.
BambooHR
HR and payroll software helping growing companies manage workforce processes, automated HR, payroll, and employee self-service.
ClockOn
ClockOn is an Australian workforce management platform combining rostering, time and attendance, award interpretation, and STP payroll in one system.
Deel
Global payroll and compliance platform for hiring and paying employees and contractors in 150+ countries with local tax compliance.
Gusto
Cloud-based payroll, benefits, and HR platform that simplifies payroll and HR management for small to medium-sized businesses.