Balancing parenthood and running a business is no easy feat. Life can feel like a never-ending to-do list, with new things forever sprouting up to steal your attention away from what’s important.
This is what’s called the ‘time crunch’ of parent entrepreneurship. Always running from work to school, and back to work again. It can quickly become exhausting.
To stop your plate piling up, dedicate some time to understanding how you can make running your business a bit easier.
One aspect is payroll. Although it may not be the first thing you think about when it comes to time management, it can really make a difference to your day-to-day efficiency (even if you’re a sole trader or sole director of a Limited Company).
Why Payroll Matters (Even for Small Businesses)
A common misconception around payroll is that it’s just the act of paying people. In reality, it’s so much more than that. Payroll means staying on top of your accounts and making sure your record-keeping is up to date. It’s tuning into tax regulations and ensuring you’re still compliant. It also involves your pension contributions, holiday pay, sick leave, and even the tax-deductable Christmas party you throw for your team (or yourself).
If you’re the sole director of a Limited Company, or a sole trader earning over £35,000 and thinking of making the switch to an LTD, running payroll means the difference of thousands of pounds in tax-saving efficiency. That could be a whole month’s extra income — giving you more time to spend on what’s important.
For small business owners who manage teams, payroll might be the single most important thing to consider when budgeting for your business.
Falling behind on payroll means your people get paid late, or the wrong amount, which can breed feelings of apathy and resentment. Not an ideal recipe for productivity. Even worse, you risk facing penalties, which can add so much unnecessary stress to your life.
Thankfully, there are some tried-and-tested strategies to make sure payroll is one less thing you need to worry about.
Baby budgeting tips
- Automate your calculations
Manual payroll calculations take up so much time, as you shuffle through spreadsheets, payslips, and receipts. Automating these tasks using payroll software speeds it up, reducing errors in the process. With automated tools, you can calculate wages, taxes and deductions in just a few clicks.
- Simplify Tax Compliance
Keeping up with tax regulations isn’t easy, especially when the rules are always changing. Partnering with a payroll provider helps. Their systems are designed to stay up-to-date with the latest tax codes, so you can save time, and be safe in the knowledge that you’re compliant with the ever-changing demands of HMRC.
- Streamline your reporting
Good payroll isn’t just about paying your people. It means accurate record-keeping, and budgeting properly for what’s next. A proper payroll system will provide simple, easy-to-understand reports that give you insight into where your money’s going.
- Outsource Payroll Tasks
Outsourcing payroll services is a game-changer for parent entrepreneurs. Handing over the responsibility to a provider could result in hours reclaimed every month, not to mention the peace of mind of knowing that it’s all being handled correctly and compliantly.
Reclaiming Time for What Matters Most
When running a business as a parent, payroll shouldn’t be an afterthought.
Think of it as a time-busting solution to the administrative burdens that slow you down.
Every hour you save on payroll is another hour you can dedicate to what’s important: being with family and growing your business.
With tools like ADP’s user-friendly payroll services, parent entrepreneurs can enjoy the benefits of automation, expert support, and reliable compliance—all tailored to the unique needs of small businesses.
Whether you’re managing a small team or a solo operation, a smooth-running payroll can make all the difference.
ADP: The Solution for Busy Parents
Ready to simplify payroll and save time? Visit the ADP website to learn more about services or schedule a free consultation.
