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Exploring QuickBooks Online Payroll Plans

Inspired by accountants, QuickBooks Online Payroll is a comprehensive payroll solution offered by Intuit. It provides businesses with an easy, efficient, and reliable way to manage their payroll processes. Thinking about exploring QuickBooks online payroll plans? We’ll cover the cost and features of each plan option below.

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What Are the QuickBooks Online Payroll Plans?

QuickBooks Online Payroll is a cloud-based accounting software from QuickBooks, one of the most trusted names in accounting. For government contractors required to maintain DCAA compliance, QuickBooks Online Payroll can be a valuable tool. QuickBooks Online Payroll customers can choose between three different payroll plans: Core, Premium, or Elite. 

  • The Core Plan helps you cover the basics of payroll, making it easy to pay your team and have your payroll taxes done for you.
  • The Premium Plan adds to the Core Plan by helping you manage your team and perfect each payday with HR support and expanded employee services.
  • The Elite Plan is the most comprehensive plan, designed for those businesses that want on-demand access to experts and protection of what matters most.

Which is right for you? Exploring QuickBooks Online Payroll plans in more detail might help clarify which tier might be best for your needs. 

QuickBooks Online Payroll: Core Plan 

The Core Plan starts at $40.50 per month, plus $5/employee/month.

The Core Plan is designed to cover all the payroll management essentials. The Core Plan includes the following features:

  • Full-service payroll, including automated tax calculations, filings, and payroll forms 
  • Automated payroll taxes, calculated and prepared on a pre-set schedule
  • 1099 E-File & Pay
  • Access to expert product support for any payroll-related inquiries
  • Next-day direct deposit
  • Health benefits and 401(k) plans for your employees

QuickBooks Online Payroll: Premium Plan

The Premium Plan is the most popular QuickBooks Online Payroll plan. At $52.50 a month (plus $6.80/employee/month), it includes all the features of the Core Plan, plus a number of additional functionalities to support growing businesses. The additional features you’ll have access to using the Premium Plan include the following:

  • Same-day direct deposit
  • Expert review, helping ensure accuracy by having a payroll expert review your payroll before processing
  • On-the-go time tracking, allowing employees to track their working hours remotely by using a mobile device 
  • Access to HR resources and tools, including employee handbooks and HR guides.
  • Simplified management of workers’ compensation administration 

QuickBooks Online Payroll: Elite Plan 

At $75/month (plus $8/month/employee), the QuickBooks Online Elite Plan offers the most comprehensive set of features and support options for businesses that require advanced payroll management. In addition to all the features available in the Premium Plan, the Elite Plan also includes the following:

  • 24/7 access to expert support 
  • Tax penalty protection, meaning that QuickBooks takes responsibility for any tax penalties you incur due to errors, handling notices or fines on your behalf
  • Access to a personal HR professional who can provide guidance or advice on HR-related matters, including compliance, employee relations, and best practices
  • Enhanced time tracking, offering more advanced features for tracking employee hours and managing labor costs effectively

And if you’re a government contractor, remember that payroll isn’t all that QuickBooks can help you with.

QuickBooks Accounting Software

An important part of achieving DCAA compliance is utilizing DCAA-compliant software. While the DCAA doesn’t require specific accounting software, it does require that whatever software you use for accounting and timekeeping meets certain stringent requirements related to job costing, tracking direct and indirect costs, and more. QuickBooks can do it all.

QuickBooks Time

QuickBooks Time is a time-tracking solution that can help businesses stay compliant with DCAA timekeeping regulations. Its features include manual entry (for a complete audit trail), daily compliance reminders, overtime alerts, an audit log, and detailed report production.

Whether your small business needs help with DCAA-compliant payroll, timekeeping, accounting, or more, GovCon can help. For over 20 years, GovCon has helped hundreds of clients navigate the complex world of DCAA compliance, streamline their operations, pass audits, and win contracts. We use our wealth of real-world experience to simplify your process, reduce the cost of compliance, and improve accuracy. We offer a range of DCAA compliance training programs, and our government contracting software is built specifically to manage DCAA accounting and compliance, leaving no expense unaccounted for. We’d love to show you how GovCon can simplify DCAA compliance for your small business. Contact us any time.

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