Payroll Services in Bozeman, MT
If running payroll eats your week or has you watching the calendar for the next filing, our payroll services in Bozeman take it off your list. At Blackfin Accounting, your team gets paid right and on time, the filings get done, and your payroll matches your books.
Why Bozeman owners hand us their payroll
Your books and payroll sit with one team, so your numbers match and you only have to explain your business once.
Ask a question and you'll hear back within one business day, all year.
Chris Kimbell, our founder, spent twelve years building and running an IT company here in Bozeman, so he knows what it's like to make payroll. Our story.
Payroll is sensitive information. With a background in IT and cybersecurity, we use modern tools and take protecting it seriously.
What our payroll service covers
We recommend Gusto to our Bozeman bookkeeping clients, and you can read why we recommend Gusto on our blog. It covers:
- Your team paid on schedule, with direct deposit and pay stubs
- Federal and state payroll tax filings
- W-2s and 1099s at year end
- Full-time employees, part-timers and 1099 contractors in one system
- Online paperwork for new hires
- A shared dashboard, so you and your bookkeeper see the same numbers
- Payroll that shows up correctly in your monthly books
Payroll mistakes we help you avoid
Payroll mistakes can seem small at first and then snowball. We write about common payroll mistakes on our blog, and these are the ones we watch for most:
- Calling someone a contractor when they're really an employee, which can lead to fines, back taxes and unhappy workers
- Missing a payroll tax deadline, which can mean penalties and interest
- Getting overtime wrong. Under federal law, non-exempt employees get 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek, and bonuses and commissions can change the math
- Losing records. Pay stubs, W-4s, I-9s and timesheets protect you if an employee disputes something
- Letting your process go stale. Laws change, tax rates move and your team changes, so payroll needs a fresh look at least once a year
Payroll in Montana
Running payroll here means withholding Montana state taxes along with federal ones. If you use subs, Montana has its own rules for independent contractors, including the Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate. Our post on 1099 contractors versus W-2 employees in Montana walks through what to collect.
Who we run payroll for
We work with businesses that sell skill and time: contractors and trades, law firms, dental and medical practices, and real estate teams. Most of our clients bring in $100K to $10M a year and have employees on payroll. Whether you're paying yourself a salary or running a full crew, the setup grows with you.
We work with service businesses in Bozeman, Belgrade, Big Sky, Livingston, Manhattan and Three Forks, and across Montana.
Switching payroll to Blackfin
Moving payroll sounds like a hassle. We do the legwork of moving your records over, and we can usually start within a few days to a week once we have the information and access we need.
If your books need work too, our bookkeeping services in Bozeman and bookkeeping cleanup fit right alongside payroll.
Common questions
How much does a payroll service cost?
It depends on what you need. We'll learn about your business on a quick call, then give you a clear quote.
Can I run payroll myself?
You can, and it seems simple until you forget to withhold Montana state taxes, misclassify a part-timer or miss a quarterly report. One late filing or wrong paycheck can mean compliance problems, unhappy employees and letters from the IRS.
Is it worth it with a small team?
Often, yes. Gusto works whether you're paying yourself a salary or you've got a full team of employees and contractors. Call us and we'll talk through what fits.
What payroll software do you use?
We recommend Gusto to our Bozeman clients. It handles direct deposit, pay stubs, W-2s and 1099s, and federal and state filings.
Do you handle 1099 contractors as well as W-2 employees?
Yes. Full-time employees, part-timers and 1099 contractors can all run through the same system.
How soon can you start?
Once we have the information and access we need, we can usually start within a few days to a week.
Let's talk
Every business is different. Let's talk about yours.
Book a 15-minute call and we'll learn how your business runs, then give you a clear quote.
Call 406-404-8955, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm Mountain Time. We reply within one business day.