Is payroll services part of HR management or accounting?

Introduction

Payroll is an essential function in any organization, and it is crucial to understand which department is responsible for it. The two departments that are generally involved in payroll processing are human resources (HR) and accounting. However, it can be challenging to determine which department is responsible for which aspects of payroll processing. In this article, we will explore the responsibilities of both HR and accounting teams to determine whether payroll services are part of HR management or accounting.

What is a payroll service?

Payroll services are provided for paying salaries to the employees of a company. It starts with the development of a list of paid employees and ends with the recording of those expenses. It is a complicated procedure that necessitates collaboration across several departments such as payroll, human resources management, and accounts.

Roles of HR management in payroll services

The following are the roles of HR management in payroll services:

1. Employee benefits and compensation: HRM oversees employee benefits and compensation. This includes managing the administration of retirement plans, health insurance, and other employee benefits. HRM also negotiates salaries and wages with employees.

2. Employee records: One of the roles of HR management is to maintain employee records. This includes keeping track of an employee’s information like contact information, emergency contacts, employment history, and educational background.

3. Employee performance: The HR management oversees employees’ performance, which includes setting performance goals, tracking goals, and providing feedback. It also conducts performance reviews and makes suggestions for improvement.

4. Employment laws and regulations: One of the roles of HR management is to oversee regulatory compliance and employment laws. It ensures that the company complies with federal, state, and local laws. The HR department also observes changes in the law and updates policies as required.

5. Employee onboarding and orientation: The HR manager is responsible for conducting employee on-boarding and orientation. Making new employees familiar with information about the company, its policies, and its procedures. They also train new employees on the job.

6. Employee policies: One of the roles of HR management is to develop and implement employee policies. It means making policies related to attendance, working hours, and dress code. HRM also implements policies and provides employees with information about the consequences of violating them.

7. Employee relations issues: HRM is responsible for addressing employee relations issues, which includes investigating complaints, mediating disputes, and counseling employees. HR management develops policies to prevent and resolve such conflicts.

Roles of Accounting in Payroll Services

It is the responsibility of the accounting department of the company to manage the company’s finances and also ensure that all financial transactions are processed correctly. The following are the roles of the accounting department in payroll services:

1. Establish a payroll account and oversee payroll processing: One of the responsibilities of the accounting department is to set up and manage payroll processing. This is to make sure that all the information about the employees is accurate and up-to-date. They also ensure that the payroll is processed effectively and promptly.

2. Payroll reports: The accounting department is responsible for preparing and distributing payroll reports. These reports are prepared to show the working hours, wages, and taxes of the employees.

3. Reconcile the payroll account: One of the roles of the accounting department is to reconcile the payroll accounts. This reconciliation is to make sure that all the information about employees is accurate and up-to-date and that the payroll transactions are accounted for.

4. Compliances: It is the responsibility of the accounting department to comply with all federal, state, and local compliances, which include withholding taxes from employee paychecks and remitting the correct taxes to the appropriate agencies.

5. Employee direct deposit accounts: The accounting department is responsible for overseeing the employee direct deposit accounts. This is to ensure that employees’ paychecks are deposited into their accounts in a way that is efficient and prompt.

6. Payroll tax returns: One of the roles of the accounting department is to prepare and file payroll tax returns. The tax returns should be filed to ensure that the correct amount of tax is remitted to the appropriate authorities. 

Conclusion

We can conclude from this blog that both HR management and accounting play critical roles in managing payroll services. While the specific responsibilities of each role may differ, they are ultimately working together to ensure that employees are paid accurately and on time and that the business remains in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. Ultimately, successful payroll management requires close collaboration between HR managers and accounting professionals.