Payroll affects your employees, your compliance obligations, and your profits. Effective payroll processing requires precise calculations, timely payroll tax payments, and consistent reporting.

Kemper 1st Choice Payroll offers full payroll services designed for your business. We handle everything from time & attendance tracking and gross-to-net calculations to processing direct deposits, payroll taxes, and required filings, including ACA reporting, garnishments, and child support processing.

Our solutions also support employee self-service (ESS), streamlined onboarding, 401K administration, benefit administration, and coordination of broader employee benefits.

Backed by Kemper CPA Group LLP and experienced professionals, we provide dependable service and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your payroll is managed correctly.

Payroll Processing

Processing payroll includes several employee-centered components, including timekeeping, employee information and employee payment delivery. The following sections outline the key components of the payroll process.

 
TIMEKEEPING - The first step in processing payroll accurately is understanding how the management of time is tracked within your business. Timekeeping can range from simple paper records to robust, integrated time & attendance systems. The method your business uses will determine how employee hours are submitted and prepared to begin the payroll process each pay period.
 
EMPLOYEE INFORMATION - Kemper 1st Choice Payroll offers clients a secure online platform for storing employee information. This information is essential for calculating gross wages, tax withholdings, deductions, and net pay. Clients can access their payroll data and workforce management tools, such as integrated timekeeping and ACA management, 24/7. When a new employee is added to the system, our team receives a notification and handles the required New Hire Reporting for you.
 
EMPLOYEE PAYMENT DELIVERY - Businesses have several options for how employees receive their pay on pay day. Payments can be issued through printed checks, debit cards, or direct deposit. Checks can be mailed, and pay advices for debit cards or direct deposits can be sent to employees by email. Employees may also access and download their pay stubs through Employee Self Service (ESS).

Employee Self Service (ESS)

Employee Self Service (ESS) provides employees with secure access to important payroll and company documents through an online portal. Employees can view items such as pay vouchers, W-2s, annual benefit statements, employee handbooks, job descriptions, and other documents. Employers control which information is available, helping streamline communication with employees. Providing digital access puts important information at employees’ fingertips while reducing paper use.

Garnishments and Child Support

Time-sensitive payroll obligations such as garnishment deductions and child support orders require careful attention and accurate reporting. Kemper 1st Choice Payroll helps employers understand their responsibilities and stay compliant with required notices and court-ordered documents. Our team also processes the required payments on your behalf, either through our check writing service or electronically.

Reporting & Analytics

Your people are your greatest asset, and understanding the associated costs is essential for effective business management. Having payroll reports available immediately after each payroll run keeps you informed of these costs. Online access to your company’s Report Library allows you to view all of the previous reports, including quarterly and annual documents, which are vital to have available throughout the year. Our Report Browser allows you to access established reports, which could be helpful in your day-to-day operations. You can run these reports anytime you need them. If you cannot find a report you need, Kemper 1st Choice Payroll offers Custom Reporting.

Taxes

Payroll taxes can be complex due to the many federal, state, and local regulations that govern withholding, reporting, and payment schedules. Requirements related to agencies such as the IRS, along with unemployment and other payroll taxes, create a compliance environment that can be difficult for businesses to manage on their own.

A payroll service provider can simplify this process by acting as your IRS Reporting Agent (RA). This authorization allows the provider to electronically file payroll tax returns, submit payments, and sign certain tax documents on your behalf. By collecting and remitting taxes with each payroll, businesses can better manage cash flow through a pay as you go approach. These services typically cover federal, state, and local withholding taxes as well as federal and state unemployment taxes.

Kemper 1st Choice Payroll supports businesses with payroll tax compliance across the country. Our tax specialists stay current with state and local reporting requirements and help ensure your payroll taxes are filed and paid accurately while explaining the process in clear, straightforward terms.