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Insights and Expertise




          Master your payroll, master your business





                                                                organized payroll systems stand out, improving their
                                                                chances of securing funding.

                                                                Accurate payroll also becomes  crucial during economic
                                                                downturns.  Government  relief  programs  often rely on
                                                                payroll  records  to  determine  eligibility.  Businesses  with
                                                                record gaps or discrepancies risk exclusion from much-
                                                                needed financial assistance.

                                                                Positioning a retail business for success requires priori-
                                                                tizing payroll accuracy. Beyond avoiding penalties, this
                                                                strategy ensures access to critical resources, providing a
                                                                competitive edge in times of growth or uncertainty.
                                                                Choosing the best payroll solution for your needs

                                                                As a business consultant, you can point out to your mer-
                                                                chant customers that selecting a payroll system tailored
        By Elie Y Katz                                          to their specific business needs is vital to long-term suc-
        National Retail Solutions (NRS)                         cess. They can start by evaluating the size of their work-
                                                                force, the mix of salaried and hourly employees, and any
                 ayroll mistakes can wreak havoc on retailers   additional complexities, such as operating across multiple
                 in your merchant portfolio. Employees who      locations.
                 receive  incorrect  paychecks,  experience  pay-
        P ment delays or encounter tax errors lose trust        Retailers can choose from three main options:
        in their employers.                                        • In-house management for smaller teams or busi-
                                                                     nesses with simple payroll needs.
        This loss of confidence often drives top talent to search for
        more dependable workplaces. Retaining skilled employees    • Outsourced payroll providers for expert compliance
        becomes a  costly challenge, with rehiring expenses and      support without the internal workload.
        the loss of institutional knowledge adding to the burden.
        Legal repercussions are another risk. Missteps in wage,
        hour or tax compliance can lead to significant fines from       Avoiding payroll pitfalls leads to success
        agencies like the IRS or the Department of Labor. Beyond
        the financial penalties, legal troubles tarnish a merchant's   Ensuring payroll accuracy helps retailers avoid risks and
        reputation, shaking both employee morale and customer     strengthen their businesses in several ways.
        trust.
                                                                       Employee trust and retention: Payroll accuracy fos-
        With diminished morale, productivity and overall busi-         ters trust and helps retailers retain top talent.
        ness performance typically take a sharp downturn, hurt-
        ing everything from sales to customer satisfaction.            Legal and financial risks:  Avoiding mistakes in
                                                                       wage, hour or tax compliance puts an end to hefty
        The hidden value of pristine payroll records                   fines and related legal trouble.
        Merchants will appreciate being reminded that accurate         Hidden benefits: Precise payroll records help busi-
        payroll management offers more than compliance—it              nesses qualify for tax incentives, secure funding, and
        opens doors to growth opportunities. Maintaining precise       access government relief programs.
        records allows them to qualify for government programs
        and tax incentives, such as the Work Opportunity Tax           Security and compliance: Automation, accuracy and
        Credit, which can potentially save a business thousands        data protection make for a reliable payroll system
        of dollars.                                                    that all stakeholders can have confidence in.

        Also, when applying for loans or grants, solid payroll re-     Strategic advantage:  Accurate payroll minimizes
        cords are essential. Lenders and grant agencies scrutinize     risks, enhances morale and supports business growth.
        payroll data to assess a business’s health. Businesses with

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