Payroll outsourcing provides options for health care industry

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Jeff Hunter is president of The Payroll Company, which offers payroll, tax and human resource functions to businesses.|ret||ret||tab|

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People employed in health care have a wide variety of education, experience, job duties and work schedules. All these differences in certification and job tasks result in many pay levels, which results in a complicated payroll system. The more variables involved in the payroll process, the more it makes sense to utilize payroll outsourcing.|ret||ret||tab|

Outsourcing payroll can benefit health care companies by conserving two important resources: time and money.|ret||ret||tab|

In addition to the complexities of calculating payroll, it can be difficult keeping up with constantly changing payroll regulations.|ret||ret||tab|

Payroll services have the ability to cater to the individual payroll needs of various types of health care companies. Depending on the size and preferences of each company, payroll services can offer different kinds of time tracking systems. |ret||ret||tab|

Some companies prefer traditional methods of calculating hours. This often includes a time clock, where employees literally punch in and out. At the end of the pay period, the payroll administrator physically calculates the total number of hours each employee has worked. Unfortunately, it sometimes proves to be extremely time-consuming and prone to calculation errors.|ret||ret||tab|

An updated version of the time clock payroll system gives businesses the option of replacing the time cards with employee badges. The badges look similar to a credit card with a strip to swipe through a machine, which clocks employees in/out. The clock transfers the information to payroll software at the payroll service. This method is simple and very efficient for calculating total hours for individual employees. It saves time and helps avoid human error by automatically adding the hours. |ret||ret||tab|

Employees can clock in/out at their desks by using a Web clock system. This Internet time clock system allows employees to click on an icon on their computer's desktop. After logging in with a password, employees can clock in/out with a simple click of the mouse. Besides the ease of use of this method, the Web clock system also allows employees and managers to view their time card totals. It gives managers the capability to set up automatic deductions for lunch or other expenses. Many companies appreciate that this system doesn't require any computer program installation; each user simply needs access to the Internet. This system is great for tracking holidays, sick days and vacation.|ret||ret||tab|

Another popular method is a phone clock-in/out system. Each employee calls from a phone anywhere to clock in at the beginning of the day and out before they leave at the end of the day. The information is transferred from the phone system into payroll software. Fortunately, the software takes care of the calculation steps. This system eliminates the necessity for employees to keep track of a time card or identification badge. The flexibility of the system is a great feature for any business whose employees change work location.|ret||ret||tab|

Another feature many payroll services offer companies with traveling employees is mileage-tracking systems. They often utilize payroll software that has the ability to pull mileage information from spreadsheets. |ret||ret||tab|

Payroll services can help health care companies select the best time-tracking system for their individual needs. |ret||ret||tab|

Outsourcing payroll can help companies improve efficiency and profitability. Because they no longer have to calculate hours and stay current on payroll regulations, they have more time to run their businesses.|ret||ret||tab|

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