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Run the Payroll Fee Auditor →Blog · Payroll Management · Financial Services
Financial Services & Accounting Firms: Managed Payroll for Small Businesses (Under 25 Employees) (2026)
Managed payroll at $25-$45 PEPM all-inclusive makes economic sense at nearly every size for financial services firms, but the specific value drivers differ depending on headcount.
Payroll at Different Sizes for Financial Services Firms
| Financial Services Firms Size | Monthly Cost | vs. In-House Hire |
|---|---|---|
| Small RIA or CPA firm (5-20 staff) | $125-$900/mo | Save $68K-$103K/yr |
| Mid-size firm (20-75 staff) | $500-$3,375/mo | Save $58K-$88K/yr |
| Regional firm (75-200 staff) | $1,875-$9,000/mo | Save $35K+/yr |
The comparison is against an in-house hire at $70,000-$105,000 fully loaded to $72K-$13K per year.
Under 25 Employees: The Clearest ROI
For financial services firms under 25 employees, in-house payroll cannot be justified. A payroll coordinator costs $70,000-$105,000 fully loaded -- compared to $625-$1,125/month for managed payroll. The savings pay for a year of managed payroll in the first 2-3 months.
25-75 Employees: Complexity Drives the Case
In the 25-75 employee range, financial services firms are dealing with more deferred compensation structures, FINRA recordkeeping, performance fee payroll, Series license holder compliance. An in-house generalist is less likely to have the depth needed in these areas. Managed payroll provides specialist coverage that reduces exposure.
75-200 Employees: Hybrid Approaches Emerge
At 75+ employees, financial services firms often consider a hybrid approach: an HR generalist handles employee relations and benefits while a managed payroll provider handles the compliance-heavy payroll function. This keeps an internal HR presence while outsourcing the most technically complex piece.
How to Get a Quote for Your Financial Services Firms
BEG quotes managed payroll based on your actual headcount and pay frequency. For most financial services firms, the first discovery call includes a custom cost comparison against your current setup.
Managed Payroll, Handled.
BEG manages payroll at $25-$45 per employee per month, all-inclusive. Get an instant cost comparison for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you handle deferred compensation structures?
Deferred comp plans under IRC 409A are handled with correct payroll treatment for the deferral year and distribution year, including W-2 Box 11 reporting.
Can you handle FINRA payroll recordkeeping requirements?
FINRA registered representatives require payroll records maintained for at least three years. We maintain complete records and can produce them in response to a FINRA examination request.
Can you produce Form 5500 payroll data for our benefit plan audit?
Yes. We produce payroll-based data including eligible compensation by employee, contribution amounts, and plan participation data to support the annual benefit plan audit.
What does BEG charge for financial services firm payroll?
Financial services payroll runs at $25-$45 per employee per month. Deferred comp handling, FINRA-compliant recordkeeping, and 5500 data production are included. For a 20-person firm, that is $500-$900 per month.
Related Resources
Anthony leads payroll solutions at Business Executive Group, a national managed payroll firm serving businesses across industries including Financial Services & Accounting Firms. BEG manages payroll at $25-$45 PEPM, all-inclusive, with deep expertise in compliance, multi-state filing, and industry-specific payroll requirements. Get instant pricing at beghr.com.
Authoritative source: U.S. Department of Labor: Wage and Hour Division
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