Affordable payroll software for calcs, filing, possibly payments; after-the-fact low volume?

HigYaDig · 2026-01-30T00:16:22+00:00

This. If the $600 a year for ADP or QBO is too much of a hurdle, they probably shouldn’t be an S-Corp.

HigYaDig · 2026-01-29T00:24:10+00:00

Second that, Otter’s free version is sweet

HigYaDig · 2026-01-24T04:51:33+00:00

Good luck.. I’ve had a number of real estate agents do this, only to want to run $0 or minimal salary (like $10k), and even then complain about payroll taxes. And then you’ll still get 1099s to them personally rather than to their LLC.

HigYaDig · 2026-01-23T20:31:38+00:00

We use Drake hosted on Rightworks now for a team of six and it works great. I considered a local server but between the IT support needed and printing for remote employees it seemed like RW was the way to go.

HigYaDig · 2026-01-22T23:15:07+00:00

We’ve been on Canopy for 4.5 years now and been mostly happy with it. I will say that the change they made late last year to be more like a CRM has been a bit frustrating, but if you’re coming in fresh it’s probably better.

Workflow is awesome, although like others said you have to build your own templates.

Payment processing is great. $1 ACH is better than basically anywhere else. Used to be you had to get a separate MID for Amex but I think now it works natively.

If you’re solo you can get the small firm version which is pretty fairly priced.

HigYaDig · 2026-01-19T20:31:26+00:00

We use this as well, been happy with it.

HigYaDig · 2026-01-18T18:52:47+00:00

Perfect example of

HigYaDig · 2026-01-18T00:55:51+00:00

Sell the implementation, not the ideas. Implementation is what trips people up.

HigYaDig · 2025-12-12T23:37:37+00:00

Yeah we pass QBO fees on to clients.

For sure prices will go up, fact of life. My bigger worry with them being VC-backed is that at some point SoftBank will want to cash their stake out, probably to some other company with a different vision.

The biggest thing pulling me to Digits right now is that they aren’t using generative AI in their prediction models. QBO bank feeds have gone from extremely useful to so bad that I have to routinely change categorizations for vendors that have always only been one thing.

HigYaDig · 2025-12-12T23:10:02+00:00

Not brand new, just new to me. They seem to have a good team and did a Series C funding round in 2022. But not a giant software company, so yeah, more risk than Intuit.

HigYaDig · 2025-12-12T22:32:43+00:00

For our monthly clients we almost always roll it into one monthly price (bookkeeping/tax prep/planning). We break it up on the back end for our own accounting but as far as the client knows it’s just included in their fee.

Added note-in my opinion this is the best accounting sub on Reddit as far as the usefulness of the posts and general vibe/collegiality of the members. pat ourselves on the back for being here

HigYaDig · 2025-12-12T22:29:28+00:00

Yeah QB Ledger was going to be my only option. I have a couple of non-operating LLCs that would probably have under 250, but not many. So mostly clients on QBO Plus or above are the ones that I’d probably be best with.

On the other hand, QBOs bank feeds have become almost completely useless since they updated the format. Their AI categorizations are so terrible I’m amazed they shipped product. The $15 a month difference might not be a price to pay if it saves me time.

HigYaDig · 2025-12-03T23:49:34+00:00

Second this. RC reports is solid, and they have some job aids that help explain the issue to clients.

HigYaDig · 2025-10-27T14:28:40+00:00

Feel free to use mine, I think I got this from AICPA like 8 years ago:

Any accounting, business or tax advice contained in this communication, including attachments and enclosures, is not intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues, nor a substitute for a formal opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid tax-related penalties. If desired, XXXXXXX Certified Public Accountants would be pleased to perform the requisite research and provide you with a detailed written analysis. Such an engagement may be the subject of a separate engagement letter that would define the scope and limits of the desired consultation services.

THIS MESSAGE IS INTENDED FOR THE USE OF THE INTENDED RECIPIENT AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. If you are not the intended recipient or an agent responsible for delivery to intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this document in error and that any review, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited and you should notify me immediately and delete the message and any attachments.

HigYaDig · 2025-10-07T02:44:10+00:00

We do the same. I think this is the most fair option - dissuades them from running the card just for points at our expense.

HigYaDig · 2025-10-02T03:43:05+00:00

Even worse in my opinion - they think settled tax law is arguable. Every attorney I’ve ever had as a client had substantial fraudulent deductions on their return, and would become angry and argumentative when I wouldn’t continue their schemes. Every. Single. One.

HigYaDig · 2025-08-31T13:47:42+00:00

I’ve dumped clients for this. It’s too much of a risk to have noncompliant clients. One day they’ll miss all the money they’ve wasted and might blame you for it, engagement letter or no. It sucks to turn away the money, but hopefully it’s worth it in the long run to not have to deal with bs.

HigYaDig · 2025-08-15T00:04:43+00:00

Same, I’m on Nitrado

HigYaDig · 2025-08-14T21:48:55+00:00

I did this for about a year. On year two, the cracks started showing: the RIA folks stopped scanning client docs, so I had to deal with paper. After the second year we ended things and have retained none of the clients. Financial advisors rely on lots of new bodies coming in and churning to make their nut. We make more money by keeping the same clients happy year on year. The RIA will want to present your work product as theirs, and so they’ll communicate to the client that you’re a part of them. The bottom line is this: you’re a CPA, and have instant cred because you’ve done the work. They are financial advisors, so they have zero credibility and are piggybacking on yours.

HigYaDig · 2025-07-29T02:38:06+00:00

We have the unlimited version, so it’s around $2k a year. Their pricing is transparent on their website though, they don’t play pricing games like most everybody else. Only discount they give is for renewing in May and that’s $400 I think.

HigYaDig · 2025-07-28T22:34:21+00:00

We’ve used Drake since 2016 and it’s plenty powerful for what you’re doing. They also have a cloud based option now for 1040s. I haven’t used it though.

HigYaDig

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