Imagine walking into your church office on a quiet Saturday morning and opening two letters from the IRS.
Your longtime CPA, who used to handle everything, passed away unexpectedly a few months ago. You’re still figuring out payroll, taxes, and compliance. And now this?
For most small organizations and churches, losing a trusted financial partner creates a crisis that threatens your ability to pay bills, meet payroll, stay compliant, and focus on your actual mission.
At Whirks, we’ve worked with hundreds of small businesses, nonprofits, and churches facing these same kinds of transitions. We understand that when you’re searching for payroll and HR support, you’re not just looking for software or services. You’re looking for people who genuinely care.
This is the story of Jim Rowland, pastor at Community Bible Church in Memphis, who found himself in this exact situation. His journey reveals what it looks like when a payroll partner cares more about your peace of mind than just processing transactions.
A Sudden Loss Leaves One Memphis Church Scrambling for Payroll Help
Jim had worked with his CPA for years. Then, in July, his trusted advisor passed away unexpectedly.
"We were just like, what are we gonna do?" Jim remembers. "We didn't know any other CPAs. We didn't know what to do."
For a neighborhood church trying to serve its community in Midtown Memphis, this “business problem” was personal. Jim and his secretary scrambled to find someone—anyone—who could help them keep payroll running and stay compliant.
That's when Jim's secretary came across Whirks.
The Unexpected Relief of a Real Person Answering the Phone
Jim picked up the phone and called, unsure of what to expect. And what happened next surprised him.
"Can I tell you the biggest shock? A live person answered the phone," Jim says. "I was like, wow!"
In a world of voicemail systems and endless phone trees, that simple human connection made all the difference for Jim.
"It was so refreshing to hear a friendly, live voice," he adds. "Nobody answers the phone anymore. You have to go through all the voice prompts and all the numbers. My first impression? Wonderful!"
The person on the other end of the phone listened to what Jim needed and quickly connected him with Chance Baker, who came out to meet with the church team in person.
Why Listening and Empathy Matter More Than a Sales Pitch
During that first meeting, Chance didn't lead with a sales pitch. He listened. He explained things clearly and answered every question Jim and his team had.
"He put us at ease," Jim recalls.
After the meeting, Jim turned to his staff and said, "This is who we're going with."
Why? Because Jim saw something that mattered more than features or pricing. It was how Whirks made them feel.
"I always say that you can pay a person to do a job, but you can't pay them to care," Jim explains. "The people at Whirks care."
When IRS Letters Arrive, Here’s What True Partnership Looks Like
A few months after partnering with Whirks, Jim walked into the church on a Saturday and opened the mailbox. Inside were two letters from the IRS.
His heart sank.
The letters explained that the previous quarterly payroll filing had been incorrect. There was a sizable balance owed. At this moment, Jim realized his former CPA may have been sick longer than anyone knew.
"I was like, wow," Jim says. "I knew then it was a problem."
But instead of panicking, Jim remembered something: He had a partner he could call.
The Monday Morning That Restored Peace
Jim called Whirks first thing Monday morning. Cassie answered and immediately connected him with Alex, who handles tax issues.
Once again, a real person picked up the phone.
"I'm thinking, this company must have trained their people at Chick-fil-A,” Jim jokes. “They're unbelievable."
Alex listened to Jim's concern and asked him to scan and send over the IRS letters. Jim sent them while still on the phone.
After reviewing them, Alex said: "We'll take care of that. We'll pay it out of your account."
Jim was stunned. "Really? That’s it?"
"Yes," Alex confirmed. "It’s done. You can mark it off as taken care of."
About an hour later, Jim received a confirmation email. It was resolved.
What This Pastor’s Story Reveals About Payroll Support That Actually Works
Jim's experience isn't rare because of what Whirks did. It's rare because of how they did it.
"When we talk to anybody over there, it's like we're the only client they have," Jim says. "They treat us that way."
For Jim, this partnership means more than just accurate payroll. It means genuine peace of mind.
"I want other people to experience that," Jim shares. "To know that they can have all of this taken care of at a very reasonable price, and they can just mark it off as done."
4 Qualities That Set a Great Payroll Partner Apart
Jim's story shines a light on what really matters when choosing a payroll, HR, and compliance partner:
- Accessibility. When you call, a real person should answer—someone who can actually help you, not just transfer you through an endless phone tree.
- Responsiveness. Problems don't wait for convenient moments. Having a team that treats your urgent issues as urgent makes all the difference.
- Ownership. When something goes wrong (and eventually, something will), you need a partner who takes responsibility and fixes it without making excuses.
- Care. You can hire someone to process payroll. You can't pay them to genuinely care about your success. That has to be part of who they are.
Your Organization Deserves a True Payroll Partner
If you’re struggling with payroll issues, worried about compliance, or simply overwhelmed and exhausted by these time-consuming tasks, help is available.
Jim didn’t find peace of mind because Whirks has perfect software or the lowest prices. He found it because he connected with people who genuinely care about solving problems and making his life easier.
"We're totally sold on Whirks," Jim says. "We're totally happy. Totally satisfied."
His advice to other small organizations?
"People need to know we have a company like this in our city. This is the most excellent service I've ever received from any company."
Find Your Own Payroll Peace of Mind
You don't have to wait for a crisis to find a payroll partner who actually cares. Whether you're dealing with an urgent problem right now or simply want to improve your current situation, having the right partner makes all the difference.
At Whirks, we believe you deserve more than just a vendor who processes transactions. You deserve a partner who:
- Picks up the phone.
- Takes ownership of your problems.
- Makes you feel like you're their only client.
That's what Jim (and hundreds of other small businesses) experience when they work with us.
Ready to find your own peace of mind?
Let’s talk about how Whirks can support your business.
