Choosing a payroll provider is a big decision for any business owner. You're entrusting someone else with the critical business function of paying your employees accurately and on time.
At Whirks, we get a lot of questions from prospects who want to understand exactly what working with us looks like. Some are just starting their search, while others are frustrated with their current provider and exploring alternatives.
We believe in transparency from the start. The more you know upfront, the better decision you can make for your business. That's why we've compiled the most common questions we hear, along with the answers.
Our goal isn't just to win your business. We want to help you determine if we're the right fit. Some of these answers might actually disqualify us from working with you, and that's perfectly fine. We'd rather be upfront about our limitations than waste your time (or ours) on a partnership that won't work.
How Does Whirks Pricing Work?
Of course, one of the most common questions is around cost. You can actually find all of our pricing information on our website. We use a per-employee-per-month (PEPM) pricing model. This means you pay a set amount for each active employee on your payroll each month.
Our pricing starts around $10.25 PEPM for payroll-only services. As you add services like benefits administration, time tracking, or HR support, the cost increases accordingly.
The advantage of PEPM pricing is predictability. You know exactly what you'll pay based on your team size. There are no surprise fees for processing payroll or hidden charges for basic features.
What Does Conversion to the Whirks Platform Look Like?
We aim to get you up and running within 30 days, though we often complete conversions much faster. For example, we recently converted a 16-location restaurant group with 450 employees in just 20 days.
Here's what you can expect:
- We convert all your historical payroll information for the current tax year.
- Your employees don't need to re-enroll or sign up for new accounts.
- We pull all employee data into our system automatically.
- Everything is tied to your pay dates, and we work around your schedule.
If you meet with us today and your next payroll is in a week, we'll do everything possible to pick up that payroll run. But we also won’t rush the process.
How Are You Different from Other Payroll Companies?
We're a boutique firm focused on providing a white-glove experience. You're not just a number to us. We actually know your name and get familiar with your account.
Our philosophy centers on three principles, and it's how we stand apart from other payroll providers:
- The Right Tools: We have a full suite of tools for hiring, developing, tracking time, managing benefits, and processing payroll. But not every client needs everything. We tailor our services to your industry and specific needs.
- The Right People: You get a dedicated support team that knows you and your business. When you call, you're not shuffled between different representatives who have to learn your situation from scratch.
- The Right Way: We believe there's a strategic way to handle payroll and HR that ultimately helps business owners succeed. In addition to processing payroll, we provide guidance when we see opportunities for improvement.
Do You Offer Insurance and Benefits?
Yes, we provide comprehensive benefits administration, including:
- Group health insurance
- Dental and vision plans
- Life insurance
- Disability coverage
- Retirement plans
- ACA compliance support
Many people don't realize we offer benefits because we're still building awareness in this area. If you're looking for a one-stop solution for both payroll and benefits, we can definitely help.
Are You a PEO?
No, we're not a Professional Employer Organization (PEO). We remain your payroll and benefits partner while you maintain control as the employer of record.
Can I Track Employee Time in Your System?
Absolutely. We offer integrated time and attendance tracking that flows directly into payroll. This eliminates double data entry and reduces errors.
Do You Have a Performance Management Tool?
Yes, we include performance management features as part of our comprehensive HR platform.
Do You Work with My Industry?
We work exceptionally well with these industries:
- Restaurants and bars
- Gyms, salons, and spas
- Home health and hospice
- Assisted living facilities
- Nonprofits
- Private and charter schools
- Churches
- General white-collar businesses (office-based employees)
If your industry isn't listed, that doesn't automatically disqualify you. We work with many different types of businesses, and we can likely work with yours too.
Will I Have a Dedicated Support Team?
Yes, you'll have a dedicated Client Success Specialist who knows your business and serves as your primary contact. You won't be shuffled between different representatives every time you call.
We pride ourselves on consistency. When you need help, you'll talk to someone who understands your account and can solve problems quickly.
How Does Tip Management Work?
Our system handles tip reporting and calculations automatically. We can track both cash and credit card tips, ensure minimum wage compliance, and handle all the tax implications correctly.
This is especially important for restaurants and other tip-based businesses where compliance can get complicated quickly.
How Do You Handle Multiple Locations?
Our system easily accommodates businesses with multiple locations or units. You can track payroll, time, and reporting by location while maintaining centralized oversight.
When Is Whirks NOT a Good Fit?
We believe in being upfront about our limitations. We're not the right choice if you need:
- Certified Payroll: We don't offer prevailing wage or government-certified payroll services.
- Job Costing Integration: If you need detailed job costing built into your payroll system, we're not the best fit.
- International Payroll: We don't handle payroll for employees in other countries, including Canada.
- Call-in or Faxing Payroll: Our goal is to empower you to use our system confidently, not manually key in your data for you. If you prefer calling or faxing your payroll information, you'll need to find a different provider.
If any of these apply to your business, we'd recommend looking for a solution better suited to your needs.
What About Employee Handbooks and HR Compliance?
We provide employee handbook creation and ongoing updates as laws change. Federal and state regulations change frequently. Unfortunately, most businesses create a handbook once and forget about it for years.
We help keep you compliant by updating your policies as needed. While we probably care more about this than most business owners do, staying compliant is essential to the success of any business.
Why Should I Switch from My Current Provider?
We don't assume you should switch. Sometimes your current solution is working fine, and change isn't worth the effort.
We help you identify both business and personal impacts of your current situation. Maybe your processes are too time-consuming, creating delays in paying employees, or forcing you into constant fire-drill mode. Perhaps you're growing, and your current system won't scale with you.
If those impacts aren't significant enough to justify a change, then switching probably isn't right for you. And that's OK.
Let’s Find Out If We’re the Right Payroll Partner for You
These questions cover most of what we discuss in initial conversations. If you've read this far and nothing has disqualified us from working together, we'd love to talk about your specific situation.
Our approach is simple: We want to understand your business, identify where you might benefit from our services, and give you honest guidance about whether we're the right fit.
The worst thing that can happen is you'll learn something useful about payroll and HR best practices. The best thing that can happen is you'll find a partner who can take these time-consuming tasks off your plate so you can focus on growing your business.
Let’s find out if we’re the right fit. Schedule a quick discovery call to explore how we can support your business… or just get some practical insights on payroll best practices.
Here's exactly what you can expect in that call:
