Payroll Migration: Why Timing (and Expertise) Matters
Switching payroll providers sounds simple. New software, new login, hit go—right? Wrong. Payroll migration can quickly turn into an expensive, time-sucking nightmare if you don’t know what you’re doing (or worse, if you hand it off to someone who doesn’t either).
I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Here’s what you need to know before you make the leap.
The Golden Rule: Don’t Switch Mid-Year
Unless you absolutely have to, never migrate payroll in the middle of the year. It’s messy, complicated, and it almost always costs more in time and money to fix later.
The best time to switch payroll companies? January 1st. Clean year, clean reports, clean slate.
The second-best time? At the end of a quarter. That way, your quarterly 941s are filed and closed, and the new provider can import your data in one lump sum instead of paycheck by paycheck.
Case Study: The Client Who Didn’t Listen… Completely
One of my clients switched from a full-service payroll to Gusto, since it was integrated into a new practice management software he was switching to, and he would “save money” by making the switch. His office assistant handled the setup with the practice management software who had this integration. Sounds fine, right?
Except she didn’t import historical payroll before running the first payroll in Gusto—because the practice management software company NEVER asked if there was any current payroll, and it wasn’t even a part of their onboarding. As a business owner, you have no clue what needs to be done, and you trust that your new provider is doing it all right. But, alas, the new provider was clueless. The end result? Every past paycheck had to be entered manually—13 payrolls with about 15 employees each. Guess who got to clean that up? Me.
I charged thousands to fix it, and it could have been completely avoided if we’d timed the migration correctly and had the right person handling it. Unfortunately, I was informed this was happening a day before the payroll was run, and I had no access to the system for weeks; I had no opportunity to prevent the mess that was created.
Self-Service vs. Full-Service Payroll
Not all payroll systems are created equal. Here are a few things to know & a few examples of companies that I am knowledgeable with:
- Full-Service (like Heartland or Time & Pay): You get a dedicated person to run payroll for you, handle filings, and deal with questions. Great if you want minimal hands-on involvement. Basically, you report employee hours and benefit information, and they do the rest.
- Self-Service (like Gusto): Extremely user-friendly and cost-effective, but you (or your staff) are responsible for setup and ongoing accuracy. If you don’t know what you’re doing, mistakes can snowball fast. You can also partner with a bookkeeper who provides payroll processing and get a hybrid of full/self-service with this option.
Best Practices for a Smooth Payroll Migration
- Plan Early: If you want to switch by January 1, start planning in October.
- Choose the Right Fit: Don’t just chase the lowest cost. Think about service level and support.
- Close Out Properly: Finish a quarter before migrating—make sure filings are complete.
- Bring in a Pro: Your office assistant (no matter how smart) is not a payroll expert. Don’t set them up to fail.
Check the Reports: After migration, confirm that everything ties to your 941s and other filings.
The Bottom Line
Payroll migration is not a DIY project unless you want to risk paying twice—once for the switch, and again for someone like me to fix the mess. Done right, it’s smooth, clean, and sets your business up for success. Done wrong, it’s a Mother Trucker of a headache.
So if you’re considering a switch, get professional guidance and do it at the right time. Your future self (and your CPA) will thank you.
👉 Ready to make a payroll switch without the mess? Let’s talk. I’ll help you plan it, execute it, and keep your numbers tight—so you can focus on running your business. My favorite payroll provider is Gusto & I’ll provide my referral links below:
To sign up as a business owner with Gusto, click here.
To sign up as an accountant user with Gusto, click here.
Click here to work with Lookout Bookkeeping for payroll services.
