The Benefits of Processing Payroll for Schools with Modern Software

Educators receive a paycheck for the work they do, and for this to happen, someone has to run payroll. The thing is, running payroll for schools can be a complex task. You need to account for various types of employees, plus proper deductions, regulatory requirements, tax challenges, and staffing concerns which can make for a complicated payroll process. 

Luckily, modern payroll software can help address many of those factors. Here, we’ll explore the complexities of school payroll in more detail, along with how modern payroll platforms are the flexible solution schools need.

Simplified Payroll Processing for Schools

Easy Automation 

Educators have the tough task of developing tomorrow’s leaders. However, processing payroll can fall on employees who have full-time roles with other responsibilities. Payroll for schools isn’t just a simple task to add to someone’s to-do list. 

The best payroll tools available enable administrators to set up multiple pay rates and deductions to accommodate the diverse workforce of an educational institution. Plus, many have integrations to help share data, allowing accounting and time tracking tools to sync with payroll for a seamless experience.

Flexibility 

Many schools employ a mix of full-time and part-time teachers, administrative personnel, and substitutes. Seasonality is often another unique challenge. Hiring extra staff throughout the year requires close tracking to ensure compensation is accurate.

Replacing manual efforts and outdated systems with agile payroll software makes all the difference. Options like Justworks Payroll are flexible enough to account for a variety of employees. It’s simple to set multiple pay rates and custom pay schedules, schedule off-cycle and external payments, and pay contractors and employees in other states.

Employee Benefits and Deductions

Most schools offer access to health insurance and retirement plans. Both of these may include different contribution amounts and coverage levels, which can quickly become complex when determining premiums, contributions, and deductions. Some schools also offer voluntary deductions like union dues, charitable contributions, and savings plans. All of these calculations must be accurate to ensure all employees are compensated correctly.

Current payroll software allows administrators to set up a wide range of automatic deductions for benefits as well as benefits administration. Employees can review and sign up for benefits on their own through the platform, removing another administrative headache.

Streamlined School Payroll Compliance

Accurate Tax Calculations

With modern payroll software comes a modern approach to taxes. Calculating taxes is no longer a manual effort — schools can automatically update tax rates and ensure calculations are correct. By replacing manual data entry and human error with automated payroll systems, you can greatly reduce the risk of miscalculations.

Simplified Reporting

Reporting can be tedious, and educators already have a full plate. So why wouldn’t you choose a payroll option where reporting is automated? With software like Justworks Payroll, reports can be customized and generated seamlessly, allowing for a clear overview of your payroll expenses and tax obligations. Plus, having reporting that’s built into the software makes compliance with federal, state, and local regulations less of a challenge.

Proactive Audit Trail

An audit trail is a crucial aspect of maintaining payroll compliance and transparency. Automated payroll software can help schools keep a detailed record of all payroll transactions. Tracking and reviewing discrepancies becomes easier, which is helpful during audits or when addressing employee concerns.

Improved Teacher/Employee Satisfaction

Fewer Payroll Errors and Discrepancies

Managing school payroll can be stressful, but so can receiving an incorrect paycheck. When payroll is late or inaccurate, it can lead to unhappy employees. That’s why the outdated systems and manual data entry schools are quickly being replaced — incorrect hours worked, miscalculated taxes, and overlooked benefits are all risks with these methods.

Better Resource Allocation

Schools don’t always have enough staff to dedicate someone to payroll. This can lead to overworked employees, payroll errors, and delays in payroll distribution. The best payroll software includes automation features to help address resourcing.

Justworks Payroll For Your School 

Payroll can feel like a burden, but school payroll complexities are a thing of the past when you partner with Justworks. Efficiency and accuracy are cornerstones of software like Justworks Payroll, Our flexible solution helps manage the complexities of school payroll while helping simplify compliance, payroll taxes, and administrative tasks. Let us help you streamline the toughest parts of payroll and free up your staff to focus on nurturing the minds of the future. Ready to join? Let’s get started!