On average, South African businesses lose in excess of R7.2 billion a year on avoidable business administrative costs according to the Sage Productivity Tracker. Payroll and HR software can go a long way in helping to reduce this burden.
Gone are the days of manual processes such as spreadsheets, cloud-based payroll software not only allows small business owners to access their data at any time, but it can also help them automate many of the tasks associated with payroll. This includes managing employee records, performing payroll calculations and issuing payslips which can be a massive drain on business owners’ time.
Other benefits are the handling of monthly employee tax submissions (PAYE, UIF, tax certifications) and other annual reconcilliations and various other statutory deductions, as well as the ability to generate compliance reports.
SME South Africa did the research – we compare two HR and payroll software offerings, taking into account features, price points and ease of use – PaySpace and Sage.
PaySpace
About
Established in 2000, PaySpace offers cloud-based payroll and human capital management software solutions to help businesses operate in the modern era.
Payroll Software Features
PaySpace offers embedded analytics, and manager and employee self-service, therefore, enabling businesses of all sizes to run a fully tax and legislative-compliant, ISO/IEC certified, cloud-based people management solution.
Their startup and small business offering – PaySpace LITE – has the following specific features:
– Standard payroll & HR reports.
– Accessible on any device.
– Proactive run-free payroll, plus mock payslip facility and unlimited interim payslip runs.
– Post bulk entries for multiple employees.
– Comprehensive leave administration.
– On-boarding/ termination notifications, security roles.
– Country-specific statutory reports, localisation e.g. RSA Employment Equity, auto medical scheme rate updates (SA only).
– Training & skills management.
– Advanced General Ledger, Organisation Structures – 1 Level, Position Management – Basic, API Integration (Web Services).
Prices
Request a quote online by filling in a form.
Benefits
– PaySpace was shortlisted for the global 2018 SaaS Awards for Best UX/UI/Design in a SaaS Product.
– Access to add-ons like Breezy HR, a cloud-based recruitment solution that allows businesses to attract and hire employees in less time and with less effort.
– For businesses expanding into the rest of Africa, they offer a Compliance Checklist eBook to assist business owners in better understanding expansion into Africa and how to avoid the pitfalls associated with local legislation and compliance.
Sage
About
Sage is well-known for helping businesses to manage their accounting and financials, operations, people, payroll and payments.
Payroll Software Features
For small businesses, Sage Business Cloud Payroll offers the following features.
– Legislative and payroll reporting.
– Medical aid, pension, provident and retirement funds.
– Time and activity management.
– Automated PAYE, UIF and SDL calculations.
– Automated payslips for employees.
– Leave management.
– Other features: annual, adhoc and performance bonuses, travel allowance and reimburse kilometres, commissions and overtime, leave and sick pay, independent contractors and labour brokers, bursaries and other non-cash benefits.
Prices
Sage offers both monthly and yearly pricing.
Prices for the Sage Business Cloud Payroll packages vary depending on the number of employees, ranging from two employees (R678 per annum) up to 60 employees (R15,385 per annum) – See here for full pricing.
Benefits
– Pre-defined SARS-compliant payslip definitions for easy setup.
– Access to analytics, reporting and dashboards.
– Access to training management, skills and competencies management, appraisals and interviews, expense management, and employee and management self-service.
– The service also offers customer support services.
– Access to the Sage Advice community.
– Free for 30 days.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this article are affiliate links and SME South Africa will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. All recommendations have been carefully considered and they are resources SME South Africa has found helpful and trustworthy.
