Hi, I have been asked by a client to do his payroll. I am not sure how to set it up, i do have experience in payroll in the retail sector and have recently started book-keeping service.
If you are going to be the main correspondent regarding your clients payroll, i.e. you want the Inland Revenue to send you all the information, tax codes etc, then you will need to get your client to sign a 64-8 to authorise you.
You will also need some payroll software, unless you plan on doing it manually. I can't recommend any packages yet, as currently looking for myself.
I recommend that you also sign up for online filing with the Inland Revenue, so that you can file P35's, P45's etc online.
I use Sage Instant Payroll, can be bought on e-bay for less than £100 and took me a few hours to learn how to use it. The backup from Sage is very good, costs c.£10 a month but worth it, they update you with all the regulatory changes etc.... Recommended if you find yourself doing a lot of payroll work, also posts the journal entries directly to your Sage Accounts Package if you have one.
I know some dont like Sage and there are really good alternatives eg MS Office Accounting which is free, Quickbooks etc.. but i find Sage works well and if you do work for accountants, they mostly use Sage so can dovetail well in with them.
Thank you Gill and Nigel. With regards to Sage Instant Payroll can I use it only for 1 company or several?- incase i get furture clients requesting payroll service aswell.
