Any suggestions about reliable PAYE software

We are having a nightmare with Iris Bureau payroll and looking for alternative

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We were pursuaded via dubious sales tactics to switch from Iris PAYEMaster to Iris Bureau software. With minor teething problems, this worked for about 6 months but the last two updates created some major issues to the point that we could not get the software to run properly. Via hanging on the phone for in excess of 5 hours, a temporary fix was done so we could complete our PAYE year end filings. Then, without any explanation as to what has happened, a senior (top??) support person remotely logs in and tells up that the way the Server is set up is all wrong and the Iris software has to completely deleted and reinstalled from scratch. I have had enough being messed around over the past 3-4 weeks and just want something that works, is robust, and has a support line that actually SUPPORTS. Software suggestions would be appreciated.

Replies (26)

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By MGD
11th Apr 2018 16:12

Moneysoft- very happy with them

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Replying to MGD:
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By MGD
12th Apr 2018 15:01

Welcome

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By pjd17mini
11th Apr 2018 16:34

A vote for Brightpay here..
P

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By mrme89
11th Apr 2018 16:36

Moneysoft and Brightpay are both highly recommended by Accounting Web users.

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By khalm0
11th Apr 2018 16:37

Moneysoft! Cheap and reliable. Simple to use also.

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By Cheshire
11th Apr 2018 16:38

Vote for Moneysoft from me. But just look around the site as there are loads of pretty recent posts on which is the best payroll software.

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JCACE
By jcace
11th Apr 2018 16:51

Brightpay all the way for me.
Free support included as standard.
Imports from Iris and a host of others.
CIS built in.
Intuitive Auto Enrolment handling.
Links seamlessly with NEST.
Very cost effective.
Cloud option for sending info to clients, although this is a paid-for add-on.

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By Selaen
11th Apr 2018 16:56

Brightpay for us; it's got its few niggles (it refuses to import departments) but it's way better than most things out there. Pretty much foolproof to use too!

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By Robertnz
11th Apr 2018 17:31

Many thanks to all. My only concern is the ability of any new software to import the client static data - Having to manually re-enter names, addresses etc etc for 150 clients would be an absolute nightmare - Which was why we stayed with Iris, only to find that they could not import all the data after all???

Fun and games

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By mbee1
12th Apr 2018 08:15

Brightpay for me - I moved from Iris Payroll Bureau two years ago. Brightpay is far more user friendly and much, much cheaper.

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By Moonbeam
12th Apr 2018 09:21

As JCACE has already implied, all payrolls take imports from other payrolls. So you can import csv data from Iris to any other payroll.

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By NYB
12th Apr 2018 12:02

Brightpay every minute of the way. Caters for importing. Cloud based option allowing client self service. Smooth slick product at a very good price with no add ons and superb back up system.

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By SteveHa
12th Apr 2018 15:39

Whilst I support what everyone has said about both Moneysoft and Brightpay, since you have been convinced to invest in Bureau standard software, I feel I have to ask what you are needing it for.

If you are just running a few, small, close company or sole trader payrolls, then both are fine. However, if you are operating a bureau with large employers (several hundred or thousand employees) then you need to look at other alternatives, such as Star, or Bond Payrite etc.

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Replying to SteveHa:
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By Robertnz
12th Apr 2018 16:25

We ended up with Iris Bureau because we were previously with Iris PAYEmaster, a sales person on a cold call IMPLIED that PAYEmaster was on its last legs (not correct in fact) and I was assured that the client data could be transferred easily (not true) which would make it smoother for the transition. To make things fully clear, we were not TOLD that PAYEmaster was being shut down, but it was implied that this would happen soon. We do not need mega-software, in terms of employee numbers - we have about 150 payroll clients of which most are 1-man bands so from what you say, Moneysoft or Brightpay should be fine. But the data transfer concerns me a bit, especially when the transfer from PAYEMaster to Bureau did not go than smoothly.

But thanks for you pointing out the potential issues for any change

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Replying to Robertnz:
By SteveHa
13th Apr 2018 11:02

The data transfer shouldn't be an issue. CSV export from IRIS, and import to either MS or BP. You may need employer details, employee details, and if you are doing it mid-year, YTD details.

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Sarah Douglas - HouseTree Business Ltd
By sarah douglas
12th Apr 2018 16:40

I recommend My Paye Ltd, they are really good and cloud based

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By chewmac
13th Apr 2018 10:10

Another vote for BrightPay under the circumstances. Having compared both MS and BP I think BP has a more modern interface. Very easy to use, support has been brill. I’ve never imported large data sets but I reckon their support would help you out.
Oh, and you’d save a packet over Iris prices I imagine.

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By Coppice Payroll
13th Apr 2018 11:04

I made the switch to BrightPay for the 17/18 Tax Year and continue to be blown away by the service. To add on to the comments that others have already made, I would like to explain how BrightPay made some changes that I requested.

It used to be the case in BrightPay that you had to manually prompt for Password Protection on files and that they would Auto-Open unless you unticked a box. This box would then be automatically ticked when you get to your next report. I emailed the support team and they told me that there was an update scheduled for the following week and that they would speak to the technical team about the issues. Sure enough, the very next week these changes were implemented.

With regards to Support, I have never seen such a responsive team. They frequently offer free webinars (I know a lot of companies do but it's always a nice touch) and usually email me back within the hour provided that they are open.

With some clients, I use BrightPay Connect. This does come at a small additional cost but is well worth it in my opinion. It's more than just remote access as it deals with all of the Payslip and P45 emails automatically (if you want it to that is). BrightPay offer a free license for you to test this and have online videos as well as a free personal demo webinar if you want it. I decided to inquire about this but was happy enough just trying it out while I waited and decided not to go ahead with it as the system is somewhat easy to use.

My advice, try their free trial and contact the support team about having a demonstration, I couldn't be happier with it all.

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By paulamani
13th Apr 2018 14:54

Moneysoft, especially if your payrolls are fairly straightforward. I have trialled BrightPay and it seems quite good too. I currently have a client (accountant) who uses Iris Bureau Payroll installed on a terminal server and apparently this type of installation is not ideal for Iris. Hardly a month goes by without having to reload backup data.
One thing to also bear in mind is that Iris will not let you access the data on the software once you cancel the licence so make sure that you transfer historical payrolls to your new software if you need to access them.
Hope that helps.

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Tornado
By Tornado
13th Apr 2018 16:17

We have abandoned PAYEMaster and moved our Bureau work to Brightpay for 2018/19.

What a difference, with many additional features and so much cheaper. Well pleased!

Have a look. The Brightpay staff are very helpful although the software is intuitive and we did not have to ask many questions anyway.

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By Alex_T
16th Apr 2018 10:41

Another vote for BrightPay for all the reasons already mentioned. It evolves year after year yet the price of the software remains the same. Support is excellent! I've recommended it to colleagues and clients alike and I've yet to hear a complaint.
Best of luck!

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counting
By Counting numbers
16th Apr 2018 10:50

Moneysoft and Brightpay are the two to look at. I use Brightpay and it’s a super product. Great support when we had any problems. I’d highly recommend it.

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Freddie
By Slim Freddie
17th Apr 2018 10:53

Brightpay all the way. It’s easy to use, a fraction of the cost of Iris and if I remember correctly moving my data was pretty straightforward with a little help from one of their support team. I've been quite concerned about GDPR compliance lately but Brightpay seems to be on top of that. I’ve started using Brightpay Connect too which gives my clients a login to view their reports, payslips etc. and their employees can access their payslips via an app. Definitely the way forward.

Also thought it worth mentioning that I heard recently that Iris PAYEmaster may be discontinued so persuading you to move to Iris bureau was definitely a sales tactic. Iris have come under a lot of criticism on here over the difficulty their customers' experience when trying to leave them. They enforce quite a draconian notice period. This might be worth checking if you haven't already done so.

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