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Payroll: Do It Yourself or Get Help?

Payroll means working out employees’ pay, making the right deductions and reporting the information to HMRC. You can use software to do it yourself or pay a provider to help. The right choice depends on how complicated your pay arrangements are and how much time you have.

Updated: 7 September 2026.

Doing payroll yourself

Software may be enough if you have a small team, pay is fairly regular and someone has time to learn the process. You will need to enter accurate information, check the figures and meet the reporting and payment deadlines.

Check that the software covers your needs, including payslips, pensions and payments such as sick or maternity pay where relevant. Make sure someone can take over during holidays or illness.

Using a payroll provider

A provider can take on the calculations, payslips and reports. This can be helpful when hours change, people join or leave, or payroll is taking up too much of your time.

Services vary, so ask for a written list of what is included. You may still need to approve the figures, pay staff or send money to HMRC. As the employer, you remain legally responsible for completing PAYE tasks even when you use a provider.

What to ask a provider

  • Will you handle payslips, pension information and reports to HMRC?
  • When do I need to send hours, pay changes and details of new starters?
  • Who checks the final figures and makes the payments?
  • Are year-end work, corrections and employee questions included?
  • Who can I contact if something is wrong, and how quickly will you help?
  • How do you keep employee information secure?
  • Can I download our records, and what happens if we change provider?

Compare the full cost

Software costs include the subscription and your time. A provider may charge per employee or per payslip, with extra fees for setup, pensions or year-end work. Ask for a price based on your own team and pay arrangements.

A place to start

Write down what happens in a normal pay month: whose hours change, when staff are paid and which tasks take the longest. Use that list to compare software or explain what help you need. Your accountant or bookkeeper may also offer payroll support.