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Payroll Off Your Plate — For Good

Running payroll sounds simple until you're buried in tax deadlines, direct deposit schedules, and compliance rules that change without warning. We handle all of it as part of our year-round business accounting services, so you can get back to running your business.

What "Handling Payroll" Actually Means

Most business owners don't realize how much is bundled into payroll until something goes wrong. When we take over your payroll, here's what we manage on your behalf:

 

  • Employee and contractor pay runs on your schedule
  • Direct deposit setup and processing
  • Federal, state, and local payroll tax calculations
  • Payroll tax deposits and quarterly filings (941, SUTA, FUTA)
  • W-2 and 1099 preparation at year-end
  • New hire reporting and compliance tracking

 

You tell us who gets paid and how much. We take it from there.

The Real Cost of a Payroll Tax Error

Payroll tax penalties aren't hypothetical — the IRS charges them automatically when deposits are late or filings are incorrect, and they compound fast. A single missed deadline can trigger a penalty of 2% to 15% of the unpaid amount, depending on how late the deposit is.

 

The problem is that payroll taxes are easy to get wrong. Rates change, classification rules shift, and local tax requirements vary by jurisdiction. When you're managing payroll yourself alongside everything else a business demands, the margin for error is real.

 

We manage payroll tax filing in-house alongside your bookkeeping and sales tax obligations, so nothing falls through the cracks. Every deposit goes out on time. Every filing is accurate. And if a question comes up, we're already inside your numbers.

Part of a Bigger Picture, Not a One-Off Service

Payroll doesn't live in isolation — it connects directly to your books, your tax liability, and your cash flow. That's why we offer payroll as part of our ongoing business accounting relationship rather than as a standalone transaction.

 

When your bookkeeping, payroll, and sales tax are all handled by the same team, your financials stay clean and consistent year-round. There's no reconciling records between three different vendors. No gaps in your expense tracking. No surprises at tax time.

 

If you're already working with us on bookkeeping or sales tax, adding payroll is a natural extension. If payroll is your starting point, those services are available as your business grows.

Who We Run Payroll For

We work with small and mid-size businesses across Ohio, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, and beyond. Our clients include:

 

  • Businesses with hourly, salaried, or mixed workforces
  • Companies with both W-2 employees and 1099 contractors
  • Startups setting up payroll for the first time
  • Established businesses that have outgrown DIY payroll software
  • Business owners who've inherited a payroll mess and need it cleaned up

 

If your current payroll setup costs you time, stress, or sleep, that's reason enough to talk.

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Over 20 Years of Experience, 170+ Five-Star Reviews

AFK Accounting has been handling the financial side of small businesses for over two decades. Our lead accountant holds degrees in both accounting and forensic accounting and spent five years in JP Morgan Chase's fraud department — which means we understand compliance and financial risk at a level most accounting firms don't.

 

Our clients consistently tell us we explain things clearly, respond when it matters, and handle their finances like they're our own. With 170+ five-star Google reviews across our Ohio and Florida offices, that reputation is well-documented.

Common FAQs

Payroll Questions We Hear Often

  • Who can run payroll for my small business?

    Any licensed accounting firm or payroll specialist can process payroll on your behalf. AFK Accounting handles payroll as part of our ongoing business accounting services, managing everything from pay runs and direct deposit to tax deposits and quarterly filings.

  • How do I handle payroll taxes as a small business owner?

    Payroll taxes include federal income tax withholding, Social Security, Medicare, FUTA, and applicable state and local taxes. Each has its own deposit schedule and filing deadline. We calculate, deposit, and file all of these on your behalf so you're never exposed to late penalties.

  • What's included in small business payroll services?

    A full-service payroll provider handles pay calculations, direct deposit, payroll tax deposits, quarterly and annual filings, and year-end W-2 or 1099 preparation. AFK manages all of these in-house as part of your ongoing accounting relationship.

  • Can AFK handle payroll if I have both employees and contractors?

    Yes. We process payroll for W-2 employees and track payments to 1099 contractors, handling the appropriate withholding, reporting, and year-end forms for each.

  • What happens if payroll taxes are filed late?

    The IRS assesses penalties starting at 2% of the unpaid amount and increasing to 15% depending on how overdue the deposit is. State agencies have their own penalty structures. We manage all payroll tax deadlines proactively so late filings aren't a risk you carry.