Jul 2021
30
Introducing BrightPay’s New Accounting API Features
We are delighted to announce BrightPay’s new API integration with AccountsIQ, Quickbooks Online, Sage Business Cloud Accounting and Xero. BrightPay's new payroll journal feature allows users to create wages journals from the finalised payslips for upload into specific accounting software. BrightPay will still continue to offer the option of a CSV journal.
Are APIs useful?
APIs are the little pieces of code that make it possible for software applications to talk with each other. With this direct integration, users will be able to directly send the payroll journal to the accounting package from within BrightPay. APIs make this background communication possible. So, it’s very useful for the end-user as it eliminates the need to export the CSV file from the payroll software and import it into the accounting system, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.
Interested in finding out more?
Stop copying the same figures from the payroll into your accounting software! Discover how you can free up time for you to spend on other tasks that really need your attention. Book a free 15-minute online demo now to find out more.
Related Articles:
Jan 2021
11
BrightPay Connect – It's better than ever before!
We are committed to consistently improving our software to better serve your needs and enhance your customer experience. This year we have introduced many new features to BrightPay Connect, including improved multi-user / working from home functionality and an extra layer of security.
Version checking when opening a payroll file
When you open the payroll, BrightPay Connect will check to see if there is a more up to date version of the employer file, for example, if the payroll was last updated on a different computer. If a more up to date version is available, you will be given the option to use the latest version, or you may also decide to ignore the latest version and continue working on the version that you are trying to open.
‘Other users’ checking when opening a payroll file
When you open the payroll, BrightPay Connect will notify you if someone else is still working on the same employer. BrightPay can notify you when the other user closes out of the payroll, and it will also tell the other user that you are waiting to access the payroll. This new functionality will allow for a completely seamless working from home process where there are multiple people that work on the same employer files.
Define and set custom leave types
You can now define up to nine additional custom types of employee leave. Six of the custom types are set up with default descriptions, which you can edit, add, or remove as need be.
Custom leave types act like the existing built-in kinds of leave, in that they are mutually exclusive and can only be applied to working days. They can be set on a per-employee basis, or batch set for multiple employees at once.
Improved calendar functionality
The calendar functionality in BrightPay Connect has been updated and improved, making it more user friendly and graphically appealing for both employers and employees. Improvements such as calendar and leave view, custom leave types and requesting leave are part of the new enhancements.
Book a demo of BrightPay Connect today to discover more features that can help you streamline your payroll and HR processes.
Feb 2018
6
The benefits of offering cloud payroll services
Accounting firms and payroll bureaus are increasingly moving into the cloud to offer clients a more flexible and streamlined payroll and HR service. Many believe that payroll isn’t a profitable service due to the complexity of the work, the manual administrative time required and the increasing number of mistakes when it comes to recording employee leave.
The actual process of running payroll is straightforward enough due to easy to use features in your payroll software. But what about the administrative payroll and HR related tasks such as processing & sending payslips, managing & recording employee leave, retrieving lost payslips, backing up your payroll data, sending payroll reports to clients and updating employee records? All of these tasks can take a considerable amount of managerial time to process and correct especially where errors have occurred.
The payroll landscape is changing and many payroll bureaus are offering clients a higher level of cloud HR functionality that automates otherwise time consuming tasks. Online access to payroll information for your clients and their employees offers significant benefits for today's bureau which can streamline many workforce management tasks.
Cloud Backup
Storing payroll information and data protection continues to be a challenge for payroll bureaus. With a cloud backup tool you will never lose your payroll data again. You don’t need to worry about backing up your payroll data. Where your payroll software is integrated with the cloud, your payroll data can be synchronised to the cloud whilst maintaining a chronological history of your backups. You can restore or download any of the backups to your PC at any time.
Eliminate Paper & Postage Processing
The concept of paper payslips that need to be downloaded and emailed or printed and enveloped and then posted is an outdated process. More and more employees want their payslips to be accessible and securely stored online. Payslips and other payroll related documents such as P60s, P45s and employment contracts can be easily accessible on an employee self-service online portal. With the cloud, payroll bureaus can avoid spending time printing, emailing and resending lost documents to employees. An online employee self-service option allows employees to view current and historic payslips and access all employee HR documents.
24/7 Online Accessibility
A cloud client and employee dashboard provides 24/7 flexibility and control of payroll information. Clients can access all employees’ payslips, payroll reports, amounts due to Revenue, employee contact details and can even approve annual leave requests. Employees can access their self-service portal on their computer or via their smartphones to view and access payslips and easily submit holiday requests.
Increased Bureau Productivity
Cloud functionality allows for many payroll related tasks to be synchronized with your payroll software. Payroll bureaus radically save time as they no longer need to send payslips to employees, send payroll reports to clients, resend lost payslips, look up holiday leave remaining for employees or manually process and record employee leave on the payroll software.
Annual Leave Management Tool
Annual leave requests can be approved in the cloud where clients can view a company-wide online calendar to easily approve leave while managing staff availability for their business. Employees can benefit as a cloud portal will calculate accurate leave balances in real time. HR managers or supervisors can be given access to approve holiday requests, without having access to view the payroll information.
Full integration with payroll software
Payroll software systems that offer full integration with the cloud is a must. Integrated payroll and cloud systems enables users to share and synchronise payroll data in real time. An online dashboard can link to clients payroll data that is saved on your payroll software ensuring all information is current and correct.
Embrace cloud payroll functionality
Using the cloud to automate many daily payroll and HR related tasks will improve efficiencies for payroll bureaus, employers/clients and their employees. BrightPay Connect is one such cloud solution that fully integrates with BrightPay Payroll offering:
- Cloud backup
- Bureau / client online dashboard
- Online payroll reporting
- Employee self-service
- Online leave management
- Safely store HR documents online
- Update employee details
- Affordability with discounts for multiple purchases
- Easy of Use
Book a demo to see how BrightPay Connect can improve your payroll service and improve your profits.
Related guides
Benefits of BrightPay Connect for Bureaus
What's New in BrightPay 2018?
PAYE Modernisation - Are You Ready For January 2019?
Oct 2017
2
Are you ready for PAYE Modernisation?
To raise awareness about forthcoming PAYE Modernisation in 2019, Revenue has commenced its awareness campaign by releasing an information leaflet “PAYE Modernisation – Are You Ready”.
This leaflet highlights the vital steps for new and existing employers to undertake in advance of 1st January 2019, in order to succeed in the imminent taxation system revolution.
The key idea behind PAYE Modernisation is that all communication between employer and Revenue will happen in “real time”. In order to effectively overcome the upcoming challenges, employers are being encouraged to focus on the quality and accuracy of the data they provide to Revenue.
In preparation for PAYE Modernisation, employers are advised to follow several easy steps to guarantee its overall success when it does come into effect in 2019:
- Register as an employer (for new employers)
- Verify the PPSN provided by employees (e.g. check it against a Public Services Card, P45 or other Revenue or DSP correspondence) and where the employee does not hold a PPSN, they should contact the DSP to apply for one.
- Register all employees with Revenue (i.e. P45(3) or P46 where the employee has no P45). Where the new employee has not worked in Ireland before, the employee must register the employment online using the Jobs and Pension service available in myAccount. The Jobs and Pension service can also be used by employees who are changing from one employment to another. Once the employment has been registered, Revenue will issue a tax credit certificate.
- Issue a P45 when an employee ceases employment and submit it to Revenue.
- Ensure an up-to-date tax credit certificate has been received for each employee. The leaflet outlines the basis of tax which should be applied on the first payday of a new tax year in the event that an up-to-date tax credit certificate for that year is not received.
- Ensure a complete PAYE, PRSI and USC record for each employee is held at the end of the tax year.
At Thesaurus Software & BrightPay, we have always strived to deliver excellence in customer service and professional expertise in both Irish and UK payroll. We widely welcome the upcoming PAYE changes. As Paul Byrne, director of Thesaurus Software Ltd, stated during the Revenue's public consultation process held in December 2016:
“Whatever system is adopted, it is important that it represents a step forward for all parties. We are already committed to not charging our customers for the additional development involved. In addition, we are considering making a free version of our software available for micro employers, those with one or two employees.”
Related articles
Sep 2017
11
Key Features you need to know about BrightPay Connect
BrightPay Connect is our latest cloud add-on that works alongside BrightPay Payroll. Automatically store payroll information in the cloud and enable online access anywhere, anytime for payroll bureaus, employers and employees. You’ll be up and running in seconds.
Secure online Backup
- Automatically synchronise and backup data to the cloud protecting against ransomware and cyber attacks.
Payroll Bureau / Client Dashboard
- Online access to clients’ payroll information.
- Invite clients to their own online dashboard which can be branded with your bureau’s logo.
- Clients can access payslips, payroll reports, amounts due to Revenue, annual leave requests and employee documents.
- Watch our BrightPay Connect video for payroll bureaus.
Employer Dashboard
- Online access to your payroll information.
- Invite your accountant to instantly access your payroll data 24/7.
- Access all employees payslips, payroll reports, annual leave requests, amounts due to Revenue and employee documents.
- Watch our BrightPay Connect video for employers.
Employee Self Service Portal
- Invite employees to their own online portal.
- Employees can view and download payslips, P60’s and P45’s. Easily submit holiday requests, view leave taken and leave remaining.
HR & Annual Leave Management
- View all upcoming leave in the BrightPay Connect company wide calendar.
- Authorise leave requests with changes automatically flowing back to the payroll.
- Upload HR documents including employee contracts and handbooks.
Book a demo today to see how BrightPay Connect can enhance your payroll processing.
Jul 2017
3
Revenue moves to PAYE Modernisation / Real Time Reporting
Following the announcement in last October’s Budget 2016, Revenue entered a consultation on the modernisation of the PAYE system.
Revenue’s proposal is that employers will report pay, tax and other deductions at the same time as they process and finalise their payroll. Similar to Real Time Information (RTI) in the UK, details of employees starting or leaving employment will be reported on the date of commencement/cessation and will eliminate the filing of P30, P35 and P45 forms.
Although, many businesses across Ireland have broadly welcomed the forthcoming introduction, some smaller businesses have expressed concern about the additional administrative burden due to poor internet access and the additional hours it may involve. Many businesses will be a risk as they have not invested in payroll software where they calculate their payroll manually.
Last April Revenue disclosed that it received 77 submissions to the consultation which represented a broad range of interests, both from large and small companies. For larger employers, the transition will be relatively straightforward, but Revenue is looking at alternatives to accommodate smaller employers, in particular, those who may still process their payroll manually.
IBEC state that while most of its members welcome the change, it is important that the system is flexible. A professional services group also warned that the work involved for employers to prepare for the implementation of PAYE modernisation / Real Time Reporting (RTR) should not be underestimated.
BrightPay already has the experience and expertise in developing the same real time features and functions for our UK customers. We are already collaborating with Revenue to ensure the transition for our customers to Real Time Reporting (RTR) / PAYE modernisation is smooth, user-friendly and ready for implementation in January 2019.
Interested in finding out more about PAYE Modernisation? Register now for our free PAYE Modernisation webinar. Click here to find out more.
Related articles
- PAYE Modernisation - an update
- What is PAYE Modernisation Software
- Revenue moves to PAYE Modernisation / Real Time Reporting
For further information, Revenue have provided the following link:
http://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/consultations-and-submissions/paye-modernisation/index.aspx
May 2014
1
Eircodes - the new postcodes for Ireland
Every address in Ireland will receive its unique Eircode in Spring 2015.
"The Eircodes will help the public, businesses and public bodies to locate every individual address in the State. Eircodes will bring many benefits to the daily lives of people, householders and businesses. Currently, around 35% of addresses - mainly in rural areas - do not have a unique name or number in their address. With Eircodes, delivery of services and goods will be much easier and quicker to these addresses." - www.eircode.ie
When people receive their Eircode next year, they will not need to change their address. They will just add the Eircode whenever it is needed or useful, so it will be very easy to start using it straight away.
Each Eircode has seven-characters that are unique to each mailing address. The seven characters are divided into two parts – a Routing Key and a Unique Identifier.
For businesses, some of the main things to consider are:
- Stationery, customer forms, websites and other places where your address is shown. Perhaps, plan print stocks of existing stationery items accordingly in the run up to Eircode Launch Date in Spring 2015.
- If you use a software package in your business, you will need to check with its supplier as to their plans for when and how they intend to incorporate Eircodes into the package.
- Some staff training may be needed especially if your systems or processes have changed somewhat to take advantage of Eircodes.
Our software offerings will all be updated to include an extra address field for eircodes and will incorporate all the required validation logic.
Jun 2013
19
BrightPay 13.2, With Local Property Tax (LPT) Support, is Now Available
Local Property Tax (LPT) payroll deductions will become mandatory for applicable employees from 1st July 2013 onwards. Revenue have already started to issue updated P2Cs with LPT amounts.
You will need to upgrade to BrightPay version 13.2 to handle LPT payroll deductions. When you next launch BrightPay, the upgrade should be automatically detected – just follow the instructions on-screen. If you have any problems upgrading, please contact us.
BrightPay 13.2 Release Notes
Local Property Tax (LPT)
- Ability to import P2C files which contain total LPT amounts. Total LPT amounts can also be entered manually.
- LPT calculation and inclusion of LPT values on payslips and workings.
- P45 and P45 Part 3 updated to support LPT values (both ROS files and printable versions).
- P30 updated to support LPT values (on-screen, ROS files, and printable versions).
- Several LPT fields have been added to analysis.
- Ability to enter LPT year-to-date information in a mid-year employer setup.
Other features, improvements and bug fixes:
- Ability to print employee calendar.
- Ability to print annual leave entitlement calculation.
- Ability to enter previous employment figures for P46 employees (before, it was only possible for P45 Part 3 employees).
- Ability to import several new mid-year year-to-date values when importing employees from CSV.
- Fixed an issue in which an incorrect PRSI class is stated on the P45 for an employee who had one or more zero-pay payslips.
- Fixes an issue in which certain USC rates/bands and previous employment figures are not correctly imported from a P2C file.
- Fixes an issue in which incorrect year-to-date values are shown on the Tax Deduction Card of an employee who started during the tax year.
Bright Contracts – Employment contracts and handbooks.
BrightPay – Payroll Software
