Payroll and HR for Small Businesses

Small businesses juggle countless responsibilities—from managing payroll and taxes to keeping up with changing labor laws. As your team grows, even basic payroll tasks can become time-consuming and complex. Simplify your operations with payroll and HR solutions designed for small businesses—helping you stay compliant, save time, and focus on what matters most: running your business.

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Core Features of Our Services for Small Businesses

Payroll & Tax Processing
Compliance Management
Employee Experience & Engagement
Security & Protection
Time & PTO Tracking
Onboarding & Offboarding
Additional Tools

Take the Stress Out of Payday

We handle calculations, deductions, and payments for every type of employee—hourly, salaried, tipped, or working across multiple positions. Our system automatically accounts for blended overtime when employees work at different rates, shift differentials for nights or weekends, and department or job tracking so labor costs are allocated correctly. We also manage tip reporting for hospitality businesses and certified payroll with prevailing wage compliance for government contracts. The result? Accurate paydays, clean records, and stress-free compliance—even for complex jobs.

Stay Ahead of Ever-Changing Laws

Payroll isn’t just about paying employees—it’s about staying compliant with complex and ever-changing labor laws. We provide guidance on wage and hour rules, employee classification, and Maine-specific requirements like Paid Family and Medical Leave or Earned Paid Leave. Our team helps with audits, recordkeeping, and proactive updates when regulations change so you’re always prepared. We give you peace of mind knowing your payroll is accurate and your business is protected from costly compliance mistakes.

Empower Your Team with Tools That Make Life Easier

Keep your employees connected, informed, and supported through the isolved People Cloud mobile app. From checking paystubs and requesting time off to accessing earned wage advances and enrolling in benefits, everything your team needs is right at their fingertips. With add-on benefits like Earned Wage Access through ZayZoon, financial wellness coaching from FinFit, and an employee savings marketplace through isolved, you can offer the kind of benefits that improve satisfaction, reduce turnover, and show your team you care — without adding administrative burden to your day.

Keeping Your Data Safe and Secure

Protecting sensitive payroll and employee data is just as important as processing it correctly. Our system uses multi-factor authentication for every login, monitors for breached passwords, and applies role-based access controls to keep information safe. We also provide safeguards against direct deposit fraud and unauthorized account changes, giving you confidence that your business and employees are protected. You deserve peace of mind knowing payroll data is secure and your team is safe from fraud.

Service Page Image Employee Experience (1)

Accurate Time Data Means Accurate Payroll

Track employee hours and monitor paid time off all in one place. Our integrated timekeeping tools sync directly with payroll to eliminate manual entry, prevent errors, and ensure every employee is paid correctly — even when dealing with multiple pay rates or blended overtime. With built-in Maine compliance features like Earned Paid Leave tracking, staying on top of time and attendance has never been easier.

Service Page Image Employee Experience (2)

Set Your Employees Up For Success From Day One

Simplify the hiring process with digital onboarding that captures tax forms, direct deposit details, and employee acknowledgments before their first day. When employees move on, our offboarding tools help you stay compliant with Maine’s wage payment laws and recordkeeping requirements. It’s a smooth, secure process that keeps your team organized and your business protected.

Enhance Your Business With Streamlined Tools

Beyond payroll and HR, Paper Trails offers a full suite of connected services that make managing your workforce easier — from expense management and learning management to benefits administration, performance management and more. Our integrated isolved platform connects it all, helping Maine businesses build efficient, compliant, and employee-friendly workplaces.

Core Features of Our Services For Small Businesses

We handle calculations, deductions, and payments for every type of employee—hourly, salaried, tipped, or working across multiple positions. Our system automatically accounts for blended overtime when employees work at different rates, shift differentials for nights or weekends, and department or job tracking so labor costs are allocated correctly. We also manage tip reporting for hospitality businesses and certified payroll with prevailing wage compliance for government contracts. The result? Accurate paydays, clean records, and stress-free compliance—even for complex jobs.
Payroll isn’t just about paying employees—it’s about staying compliant with complex and ever-changing labor laws. We provide guidance on wage and hour rules, employee classification, and Maine-specific requirements like Paid Family and Medical Leave or Earned Paid Leave. Our team helps with audits, recordkeeping, and proactive updates when regulations change so you’re always prepared. We give you peace of mind knowing your payroll is accurate and your business is protected from costly compliance mistakes.
Keep your employees connected, informed, and supported through the isolved People Cloud mobile app. From checking paystubs and requesting time off to accessing earned wage advances and enrolling in benefits, everything your team needs is right at their fingertips. With add-on benefits like Earned Wage Access through ZayZoon, financial wellness coaching from FinFit, and an employee savings marketplace through isolved, you can offer the kind of benefits that improve satisfaction, reduce turnover, and show your team you care — without adding administrative burden to your day.
Protecting sensitive payroll and employee data is just as important as processing it correctly. Our system uses multi-factor authentication for every login, monitors for breached passwords, and applies role-based access controls to keep information safe. We also provide safeguards against direct deposit fraud and unauthorized account changes, giving you confidence that your business and employees are protected. You deserve peace of mind knowing payroll data is secure and your team is safe from fraud.
Track employee hours and monitor paid time off all in one place. Our integrated timekeeping tools sync directly with payroll to eliminate manual entry, prevent errors, and ensure every employee is paid correctly — even when dealing with multiple pay rates or blended overtime. With built-in Maine compliance features like Earned Paid Leave tracking, staying on top of time and attendance has never been easier.
Simplify the hiring process with digital onboarding that captures tax forms, direct deposit details, and employee acknowledgments before their first day. When employees move on, our offboarding tools help you stay compliant with Maine’s wage payment laws and recordkeeping requirements. It’s a smooth, secure process that keeps your team organized and your business protected.
Beyond payroll and HR, Paper Trails offers a full suite of connected services that make managing your workforce easier — from expense management and learning management to benefits administration, performance management and more. Our integrated isolved platform connects it all, helping Maine businesses build efficient, compliant, and employee-friendly workplaces.

Integrated & Automated Payroll Processing

Save time by automating recurring payroll runs. Once hours and deductions are approved, payroll processes automatically—ensuring every employee is paid correctly, on time, and with full tax compliance.

Withhold & File Taxes Accurately

Avoid costly penalties with automated federal, state, and local payroll tax filings. We calculate, deposit, and reconcile every payment while keeping you informed and compliant with evolving regulations.

Easily Manage Form W-2 Compliance

Automatically generate, file, and distribute employee W-2s and 1099s with complete accuracy. Year-end reporting, reconciliations, and electronic delivery are all handled in one place—saving time and reducing errors.

Track Paid Time Off & Accruals Effortlessly

Simplify PTO tracking with built-in accrual rules that align with Maine’s Earned Paid Leave law. Employees can submit requests online, and approvals flow directly into payroll for accurate balances and reporting.

Mobile Access To Paystubs, Time Off, & W-2s

Give employees easy access to their pay history, W-2s, and benefits through a secure self-service portal. Mobile access reduces administrative requests and improves engagement across your workforce.

Access Human Resource Support

Tap into HR resources and real experts when you need them most. From handbooks and compliance audits to employee relations guidance, our team helps you handle HR challenges confidently and stay compliant.

Small Business Payroll & HR FAQ's

Why do small businesses need payroll software?

Today, running payroll involves a lot more than just paying employees—it also includes tax calculations, filings, wage law compliance, and recordkeeping. A payroll service helps small business owners handle these responsibilities accurately and efficiently, reducing the risk of costly mistakes or penalties. With automated filings, employee self-service, and support from payroll experts, you can spend less time managing paperwork and more time running your business.

What does a payroll provider do?

A payroll service manages every aspect of paying your employees—from calculating wages and deductions to filing taxes and producing year-end forms. Most providers also handle new hire reporting, wage garnishments, and benefits deductions. Paper Trails takes this a step further by offering HR support, compliance guidance, and secure data management—all backed by a local Maine-based team that knows your business.

What features should I look for in small business payroll and HR software?

The best payroll software for small businesses should combine accuracy, automation, and compliance support. Look for features like automatic tax filing, direct deposit, PTO tracking, and employee self-service access. Integrations with accounting software, timekeeping, and onboarding tools are also important. At Paper Trails, small business clients benefit from a single platform that handles payroll, HR, and compliance—plus local experts to help when questions arise.

How can I switch payroll providers?

Switching is straightforward when you follow a clear plan. Pick a go-live date (quarter or year start is ideal, but mid-cycle works); gather documents (company info, bank details, pay schedules, employee data, YTD earnings/taxes, PTO balances, deductions, garnishments); confirm state/local tax registrations and rates; run a parallel payroll and reconcile results; communicate to employees (self-service setup, MFA, pay options); close out your prior provider (final run, tax filings responsibility, report downloads, and turn off debits); then go live with post-payroll audits. With Paper Trails, we project-manage the whole transition and do the heavy lifting so your team isn’t stuck in the weeds. Contact our team here to learn more!

How much does payroll services cost for small businesses?

Payroll service costs vary based on the number of employees and the features you need. Most small businesses pay a base fee plus a per-employee charge per pay run. Paper Trails offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees, ensuring you only pay for what your business needs.

Should I outsource payroll if I only have a few employees?

Yes—outsourcing payroll can be one of the smartest moves for small businesses, even with just a few employees. It saves time, ensures compliance, and eliminates the stress of keeping up with changing tax laws and filing deadlines. A trusted payroll partner like Paper Trails helps you stay organized, avoid costly errors, and gain peace of mind knowing your employees are paid correctly every time.

What kind of customer support do you offer?

Unlike national providers that route you through 1-800 numbers and call queues, Paper Trails provides direct access to a dedicated support team that knows your business. Our clients work with real people—local experts who understand complex regulations like Maine PFML and multi-state payroll rules. You’ll get live phone support, proactive communication, and ongoing resources like webinars, guides, and blogs, so your team always feels supported without getting lost in a ticket system.

How secure is your platform?

isolved, our payroll platform, is SOC 1 Type II audited and built with multi-factor authentication, role-based permissions, and advanced security protocols to keep sensitive HR and payroll data protected. At Paper Trails, we take security a step further by educating clients on fraud prevention, helping employees set up MFA, and sharing real-time alerts when new risks emerge. You can trust that your payroll and HR information is both secure and accessible only to the right people, when they need it.

What clients are saying about the team at Paper Trails

We love Paper Trails! Such speedy and personalized service, and everyone who works there is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. We switched to a large national payroll company for one year, and it was the worst decision. As soon as that year was up, we RAN back to Paper Trails. Look no further!!

Colby Marvin Bracy
The Nonantum Resort

We began with Paper Trails at the beginning of 2020 and have never once regretted the decision. Jeff, Chris, and Teresa have all made the process amazingly seamless which has let us focus on so many other important things to continue to grow our business. Paper Trails has saved me countless hours and headaches over the last few years. Congdon’s Doughnuts is better equipped for future growth thanks to Paper Trails.

Jillian Shomphe
Congdon's Doughnuts

For Employees

For Employers

Payroll and HR for Small Businesses

Payroll & HR Software for Small Businesses

Core Features of Our Services for Small Businesses

Payroll & Tax Processing

Compliance Management

Employee Experience & Engagement

Security & Protection

Time & PTO Tracking

Onboarding & Offboarding

Additional Tools

Take the Stress Out of Payday

Stay Ahead of Ever-Changing Laws

Empower Your Team with Tools That Make Life Easier

Keeping Your Data Safe and Secure

Accurate Time Data Means Accurate Payroll

Set Your Employees Up For Success From Day One

Enhance Your Business With Streamlined Tools

Core Features of Our Services For Small Businesses

Ready to Partner with a Local Payroll Expert?

Benefits of Using a Small Business and Payroll Software

Integrated & Automated Payroll Processing

Withhold & File Taxes Accurately

Easily Manage Form W-2 Compliance

Track Paid Time Off & Accruals Effortlessly

Mobile Access To Paystubs, Time Off, & W-2s

Access Human Resource Support

Small Business Payroll & HR FAQ's

Why do small businesses need payroll software?

What does a payroll provider do?

What features should I look for in small business payroll and HR software?

How can I switch payroll providers?

How much does payroll services cost for small businesses?

Should I outsource payroll if I only have a few employees?

What kind of customer support do you offer?

How secure is your platform?

Why Work With Paper Trails?

Local Support, Real People

Small Business Focused

Hands-On Implementation

Regulatory Expertise

Deep Industry Experience

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What clients are saying about the team at Paper Trails