Managed Payroll vs. QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll bolts a payroll module onto your accounting software, but you are still the one running the cycle, chasing tax notices, and fixing errors at year-end. BEG manages the entire payroll function for $25-$45 PEPM -- all-inclusive, fully hands-off.
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Why Buyers Leave QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll is a module bolted onto your books, not a payroll department. Someone on your team still has to run every cycle, approve every payment, and catch every exception before it becomes a problem.
Tax penalty protection is only included on the higher tiers. On lower tiers, if a filing is late or wrong, you are the one dealing with the IRS notice and the penalty, not QuickBooks.
Support is tier-gated. Real-time help is reserved for Premium and Elite plans. If you are on Core, you are largely on your own with help articles and chat queues when something breaks mid-cycle.
Side by Side
| Factor | BEG Managed Payroll | QuickBooks Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost (50 employees) | $1,250-$2,250 all-in | $2,250-$4,500+ at Premium/Elite tiers |
| Who runs payroll | BEG: fully managed | You, inside QuickBooks |
| Hidden fees | None -- one flat PEPM | Tier upgrades, tax penalty protection, add-ons |
| Migration required | No -- works in your system or isolved | Already tied to your QuickBooks books |
| Ideal company size | Growing companies, 10-500 employees | Solo owners and very small teams |
| Dedicated contact | Yes -- one BEG specialist | Tiered support, chat on lower plans |
The BEG Difference
Common objection: "Our accounting is tied to QuickBooks and we do not want to disturb it."
You do not have to rip out QuickBooks accounting to fix payroll. BEG manages the payroll function separately and delivers clean summary entries that sync with your existing QuickBooks books. Your accountant sees no disruption. Your payroll team disappears.
Common objection: "We keep getting pushed to upgrade our QuickBooks Payroll tier."
$25-$45 PEPM covers everything: payroll processing, tax filings, W-2s, direct deposit, compliance monitoring, new hire reporting, garnishments, and year-end close. You are not paying more every time you need a feature that was gated behind the next tier.
Common objection: "I am not sure our current QuickBooks Payroll tier is even the right one."
Send us your last three QuickBooks Payroll invoices and we calculate your true cost per employee per month, including tier fees and add-ons. Most growing companies discover they have outgrown the DIY model entirely. The audit is free and yours to keep whether or not you become a BEG client.
The Math
BEG managed payroll is $25-$45 per employee per month, all-inclusive. One flat rate that covers every cycle, every filing, every year-end form.
Onboarding Capacity
To guarantee a flawless first payroll cycle, BEG limits new managed payroll onboards to 3 per month. Get your quote this week to secure your slot in the next available onboarding cohort.
We review your setup and send your exact monthly cost within 24 hours. No commitment required.
Common Questions
Yes. BEG manages the payroll function and delivers clean journal entries that sync with your existing QuickBooks accounting. You keep your books exactly as they are; you just stop running payroll yourself.
QuickBooks Payroll ranges from about $45 PEPM on Core to $90+ PEPM on Elite, depending on features like tax penalty protection and same-day direct deposit. BEG managed payroll is $25-$45 PEPM all-inclusive with a dedicated specialist running every cycle.
Not necessarily. BEG can work alongside your existing QuickBooks accounting or, if you prefer a full HCM platform, we can migrate you to isolved with zero disruption to your payroll cycle.
BEG includes W-2 preparation, tax filing, garnishment processing, year-end close, and employee paycheck support in the flat PEPM rate. QuickBooks gates tax penalty protection and premium support behind higher tiers.
Yes. QuickBooks Payroll is built for solo owners and very small teams doing it themselves. Once you are managing 10 or more employees, BEG takes the entire function off your plate at a comparable or lower effective cost.
Managed Payroll by Industry
Industry-specific payroll compliance and processing, fully managed at $25-$45 PEPM.
Industry-specific payroll compliance and processing, fully managed at $25-$45 PEPM.
Industry-specific payroll compliance and processing, fully managed at $25-$45 PEPM.
Industry-specific payroll compliance and processing, fully managed at $25-$45 PEPM.
View the full managed payroll hub: industries, states, pricing, and how it works.
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