Challenge: Payroll bottlenecks
For Anne Pfleger, managing payroll at her company, Hancock Structural Steel, was a demanding, hands-on responsibility. Although the company effectively used Arcoro Time (formerly ExakTime) for time tracking, the payroll process within their Foundation accounting software fell entirely to Anne. This involved not just weekly processing but also navigating complex monthly, quarterly and annual tax filings, plus the intensive year-end W-2 preparations.
Due to the confidential nature of payroll data, delegation wasn’t feasible. This meant Anne’s workload was significant, and taking uninterrupted vacations was a persistent challenge. With her role expanding to Chief Accounting Officer, finding a more efficient, sustainable payroll process became essential.
Solution: Working with a trusted partner
Seeking efficiency gains and relief from complex tax requirements, Anne turned to Arcoro, already a valued partner through their use of Arcoro Time. Arcoro’s Payroll solution presented compelling advantages:
- Automated Tax Management: Offloading the complexities of tax calculation and filing.
- Streamlined Workflow: Integrating Arcoro Time data for faster, smoother payroll runs.
- Enhanced Data Confidentiality: Reducing internal handling of sensitive information.
- Cloud-Based Flexibility: Enabling secure remote access and management.
Confident in the potential benefits and in her relationship with Arcoro, Anne opted to participate in the Arcoro Payroll early adopter program.
A Collaborative Implementation
Joining the early adopter program fostered close collaboration between Anne and the Arcoro implementation team. Anne found this collaborative process highly beneficial. It allowed them to proactively identify and address unique situations, such as specific state tax requirements, ultimately improving the system for all users.
Throughout this phase, Anne emphasized the responsiveness and dedicated support she received from the Arcoro team.
Key Benefits and Results: Measurable Improvements and Peace of Mind
Even with the final integration steps underway, Anne’s company is already experiencing significant positive impacts:
- Substantial Relief from Tax Complexity: Arcoro now handles the majority of payroll tax filings. Anne estimates this alone saves her 4 to 5 full working days annually, eliminating a time-consuming and often stressful burden. “I’m looking forward to getting that off my plate,” she notes.
- Anticipated Efficiency Gains: Once fully transitioned, the time required for weekly payroll processing is expected to drop dramatically. The workflow will shift from comprehensive manual processing to efficient approval and review. “It’s going to take me no time at all,” she says confidently.
- Increased Operational Flexibility: The cloud platform allows Anne to manage payroll securely from anywhere, easily accommodating her travel schedule as CAO.
- Improved Work-Life Balance: Perhaps one of the most welcome changes is the ability to plan time off without the shadow of payroll processing. Anne looks forward to an upcoming trip, stating, “That truly was another reason [we switched]… I will be able to take a true vacation.”
- Enhanced Strategic Focus: By significantly reducing the time spent on tactical payroll administration, Anne can dedicate more valuable time and energy to her strategic responsibilities as CAO.
A Valued Partnership Delivering Results
Anne Pfleger is optimistic as the final elements for job costing and pay stub integration fall into place. The tangible time savings already achieved, the relief from complex administrative tasks and the consistent, responsive support from Arcoro affirm that implementing the Arcoro Payroll solution was a valuable strategic decision. It has not only improved operational efficiency but also provided Anne with greater flexibility and peace of mind, allowing her to better focus on driving the business forward.
Contact us to learn more about Arcoro Payroll.
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Download the case study: Streamlining Payroll: How Arcoro Helped a Customer Reclaim Time and Focus
