Geoffrey Goudy CPA » Personnel

What’s your commission rate?

admin — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:41:27 +0000

Sales commissions. Make it too rich you risk staff dissension. Make it too complex you create more issues than incentive. The ideal commission promotes enthusiasm and teamwork. Understand your company’s culture before implementing any commission plan and then keep it consistent.

Semi-monthly v. Bi-weekly

admin — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:41:13 +0000

Sure, 24 pay periods versus 26. But from an accounting point of view, simple versus cumbersome. Clean cutoff is always desired so end-of-month timing under the semi-monthly method works best, especially if a majority of your employees are salaried. Otherwise, several accrual adjustments must be made.

Outsource payroll

admin — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:40:46 +0000

Outsourcing payroll, no matter the size of the business, makes considerable sense in light of the myriad of potential penalties should errors be made. And the cost to do so is relatively cheap compared to the headaches in replying to notices from federal and state agencies. It is far easier to worry about ensuring adequate funds for the pay run than also worrying about computing correct withholds, timely tax depositing and timely tax reporting.

Detailed timekeeping is not just for professional disciplines

admin — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:40:19 +0000

Sure, attorneys and electricians bill out their time. All service providers do. But every business would benefit from some sort of employee reporting of how time is spent performing duties. It makes employees accountable and furnishes employers with more concrete performance evidence for periodic reviews.

Consider employee versus independent contractor rules carefully before hiring

admin — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:40:02 +0000

A misstep here could be very costly. While it is understandable for business owners to prefer the hire of non-employees, make certain that these individuals meet the basic requirements of such designation. And make certain these contractors complete a Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, for your protection.

Be timely with your periodic 401k remittance

admin — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:39:38 +0000

Don’t mess around with employee withholdings, especially retirement plan deferrals. These amounts are to be remitted to trust when readily available for transmittal, but under no circumstance can it exceed two weeks from the date originally withheld from wages. Good rule of thumb – transfer retirement plan deferrals the later of wages paid or payroll taxes deposited date.

Apply strict payroll cutoff

admin — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:39:24 +0000

A buffer is good. But too short and estimates will be required. Make it too long and employee complaints tend to rise. So cut off payroll time periods at least 5 days in advance of actually paying payroll. For example, cut off time through the 10th for payment on the 15th.

Accrued vacation is a current liability

admin — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:39:10 +0000

So choose your desired paid time off (PTO) arrangement carefully. Plans such as “use or lose” will have a zero dollar liability at year-end as long as vacation is prorated for mid-year hires and carryover is not permitted for any circumstance. Otherwise, you must compute your liability and it may be quite shocking.