Managing payroll is no easy feat, especially when your workforce spans multiple countries. The complexities of handling different currencies, various tax regulations, and staying compliant with diverse employment laws can overwhelm even the most seasoned HR teams.
Remote presents itself as a one-stop solution for global payroll, designed to make international payroll management less of a headache.
But does it truly align with your company’s needs?
This article takes a deep dive into payroll solutions, discusses the key attributes of a capable global payroll provider, and reveals some common challenges organizations face with such systems.
The goal? To help you determine if Remote truly meets the needs of your global workforce.
What does Remote do?
Remote.com’s payroll services offer a way to consolidate complex global payroll processes into a single platform. Remote simplifies tasks such as on-time, accurate salary disbursal, tax compliance, expense management for global teams. This ensures your company’s payroll is centralized, simplified, and dependency on third-party payroll providers minimized.
In simple terms, if you have employees in multiple countries, it’s easier to work with Remote to run payroll than partner with multiple third-party agents to do that for you.
What sets Remote’s payroll apart is its network of in-house payroll experts in each country, ensuring that your business remains compliant with local laws in every jurisdiction.
Additionally, Remote automates the entire tax withholding process. From onboarding forms to year-end reports, they make sure everything is accurate and readily available. This translates to less paperwork for you and reduces the risk of penalties from non-compliance.
Remote’s focus on compliance, efficient tax withholding processes, and comprehensive reporting tools positions it as a strong contender in the global payroll service market. Whether your team is large or small, Remote aims to make payroll management more straightforward and efficient, saving time and reducing the potential for errors.
What features should you look for in a capable global payroll service provider?
Selecting the right global payroll provider is a critical decision. It can significantly impact your organization’s operations and exposure to risks of non-compliance. The best providers offer more than just payment processing — they deliver comprehensive solutions that simplify complex international payroll tasks. So the solution you choose should be comprehensive enough to automate tax withholding, maintain labor law compliance, and support multi-currency payments, among other things.
Here’s what to look for in a good global payroll service provider:
1. Deep understanding of compliance with local employment laws
Compliance is non-negotiable when managing payroll across multiple regions. This includes processing payroll in line with the local laws, tax regulations, and employment standards of every country you operate in. Failing to comply with local regulations can lead to penalties and damage your company’s reputation. A good payroll company should have in-country expertise that keeps a tab on the ever-changing international employment laws and tax regulations, to ensure payroll accuracy and legal compliance across all regions.
2. Automated payroll calculations
Manual payroll processes often lead to errors, especially when dealing with multiple tax regimes and complex deductions. Automated payroll calculations handle tax rates, deductions, and benefits across different countries, reducing complexity and ensuring payments are accurate every time. This not only improves efficiency but also minimizes the risk of costly mistakes.
3. Integration with HR and finance tools
A robust payroll platform should integrate seamlessly with your existing HR and finance systems. This enables data synchronization across departments, reducing the need for manual input and minimizing the risk of discrepancies. The smoother the integration, the more efficient the data flow, and the more accurate your payroll processes will be.
4. Transparent reporting
Payroll data must be easy to access, interpret, and act upon. A global payroll provider should offer transparent reporting that provides full visibility into payroll data, tax withholdings, and payroll costs. Clear, actionable insights at your fingertips help ensure compliance, optimize workforce costs, and offer clarity for financial planning.
5. Employee self-service portals
Giving employees access to self-service portals empowers them to have control over their payroll information. Whether accessing pay slips, tax documents, or updating personal information, these portals reduce administrative burdens and increase transparency. More importantly, they enhance employee satisfaction by providing clarity and control over compensation details.
6. Scalability to support growth
Scalability is essential for future-proofing your payroll operations. Your payroll solution must be able to grow alongside your business. Whether you’re expanding into new markets or increasing your workforce, ensure your global payroll service provider can handle payroll for an increasing number of employees and regions without compromising on service quality or accuracy.
7. Multi-currency payments
With a global workforce comes the need for flexibility in payment methods. A provider that supports multi-currency transactions ensures that employees are paid in their local currencies with accurate conversion rates. This simplifies the payroll process, prevents payment delays, and ensures employees receive their salaries without the hassle of exchange rate fluctuations.
Opting for a global payroll provider with the right features and capabilities lays the groundwork for efficient and compliant payroll management. However, even with the best features, some providers may not meet expectations.
In the next section, we look at some of the common challenges organizations encounter with Remote’s payroll services and how Multiplier’s payroll offers effective solutions to address these gaps.
Solving Remote’s payroll challenges: How Multiplier stands out
Despite its benefits, Remote payroll has certain challenges that have been reported by its users. Below, we explore some of these challenges and show how Multiplier offers solutions to address them.
1. Delays in payroll processing
One common issues that Remote’s users face is delays in payroll processing. A user on G2 shared, “I have to wait 2-5 days for Remote to send my payroll, which causes stress.” These delays not only create stress but also disrupt employee trust in the system.
Multiplier’s solution: Multiplier ensures that payroll is processed on time, providing much-needed relief to employees who depend on timely payments. Suboganga V., a Data Entry Operator, praised the platform, saying, “I never encounter issues with timely salary payments, and I receive notifications about my payslips right on time.” This level of efficiency ensures that payroll runs smoothly without any delays or employee dissatisfaction.
2. Payroll errors and lack of real-time adjustments
Remote users have reported payroll errors that arise from a lack of real-time adjustments. Fabio F., a Software Engineer, explained: “I had to keep an eye on accounting for my PTO because the calculation happened to be slightly off at some point.” Such errors can disrupt the accuracy of payroll, creating extra work to fix the mistakes.
Multiplier’s Solution: Multiplier’s system allows real-time adjustments, ensuring payroll accuracy from the start. Ernesto Q., a Podcast Host, shared his positive experience: “The product itself is so easy to use, and the payroll features work perfectly, keeping everything accurate and on time. Joel has been great!” This ensures that payroll errors are minimized, and any necessary adjustments can be made immediately, improving accuracy and efficiency.
3. Confusing invoicing and billing
Another pain point for Remote users is its confusing invoicing and billing process. Alex V., Director of Human Resources, explained: “The schedule invoices option does not fully work for me, since I need to add a dynamic note stating the dates range the invoice is for but I do not have a way to automate it because every month it should change and include something like “From May 26th to June 25th” and that is the only thing that changes every single month and because of that, I have to do it manually on every month.” This lack of clarity can lead to inefficiencies and additional administrative work.
Multiplier’s Solution: Multiplier simplifies the invoicing process, making it easier to track and reconcile payments. Kristian A., Chief Product Officer, commented: “Multiplier’s invoicing process is clear and user-friendly, making payroll reconciliation much easier.” With transparent billing structures and easy-to-follow processes, Multiplier reduces the administrative burden and ensures clarity throughout.
4. Limited payroll reporting and insights
Remote users have also noted challenges with the reporting capabilities of the platform. Fabio F. highlighted this issue: “Sometimes you have to ask support to gather country-specific information, although I believe that’s to be expected considering that the company has to provide a UI that caters to all countries.” Limited reporting functionality can hinder businesses from gaining actionable insights into payroll data.
Multiplier’s Solution: Multiplier provides comprehensive reporting features that offer full visibility into payroll operations. Ernesto Q. noted, “The timesheet record and payroll functions are both reliable and accurate, ensuring smooth and timely management of our workforce, which allows us to focus more on growth and productivity.” This level of transparency helps businesses manage payroll efficiently while gaining deeper insights into costs and compliance across different regions.
5. Payroll compliance issues
Compliance with local payroll laws can be a headache for global businesses. Scott A., a Digital Learning Designer, shared his experience: “Sometimes it is difficult to find answers about benefits. I was wrongly included in a healthcare benefit for 1 year without the ability to remove myself from it.” Inaccurate benefits administration and compliance issues can lead to costly mistakes.
Multiplier’s Solution: Multiplier ensures full compliance with local employment laws and regulations. Laura V, Director of human resources also appreciated Multiplier’s compliance management, stating: “Multiplier helped us stay compliant with international payroll and benefits, ensuring that we adhered to local employment laws across multiple countries. It streamlined our onboarding process for international hires, reduced the administrative burden of managing global HR operations, and provided a centralized platform for tracking employee compensation and benefits.” With built-in compliance features, businesses can trust that they are meeting all local requirements without the fear of unexpected legal issues.
6. Inconsistent and unresponsive support
Many Remote users have expressed dissatisfaction with the support they receive. Christine B. mentioned: “A lot of people in your support team seem to not know what’s going on, and I had unanswered emails too. It would be helpful to give people an answer and a reasonable TAT of when they will be back if they are looking for answers.” Poor support can result in prolonged issues and operational slowdowns.
Multiplier’s Solution: Multiplier’s 24/5 support team is known for being highly responsive and helpful. Ernesto Q., a Podcast Host, shared his experience: “I have been really impressed with the service and support system — every time I’ve needed help, they’ve been quick and super helpful. The product itself is so easy to use, and Joel has been great!” This commitment to proactive and reliable customer support ensures that users receive timely responses and solutions, enhancing the overall experience.
By addressing these challenges head-on, Multiplier offers a more reliable, efficient, and compliant global payroll solution. Whether you’re dealing with delays, compliance issues, or lacklustre support, Multiplier has the tools and team to simplify your global payroll process and help your business thrive.
Checklist to switch from Remote to Multiplier
Switching payroll providers is a significant decision, often driven by the need for better service, more transparency, or increased efficiency. If you’ve encountered delays, lack of clarity, or insufficient support with Remote Payroll, it may be time to make the switch.
Multiplier offers a seamless, user-friendly platform with strong global compliance, making the transition worthwhile. Here’s a simple checklist to guide you through the process/
Assess what’s not working
Start by identifying the challenges you’re facing with your current provider. Common issues might include confusing billing, lack of transparency, or inconsistent support. Recognizing these pain points will help clarify how Multiplier’s features—such as streamlined invoicing, better compliance management, and responsive support—can address these concerns.
Verify compliance needs
Compliance is crucial when managing global payroll. Ensure your current provider meets the local labor law and taxation requirements in each country. If you’re facing compliance issues, it’s a strong indicator that it’s time to switch. Multiplier’s platform is designed to prioritize compliance, ensuring that your global payroll aligns with local laws, minimizing risks and penalties.
Prepare employee data
Before switching, make sure all your employee data—including salaries, tax information, and benefits—is accurate and up-to-date. This step will streamline the transition and reduce errors. Multiplier’s accurate payroll calculations and easy management of local payroll schemes make it easier to handle even the most complex payroll transitions.
Communicate the change
Notify your team about the upcoming switch to ensure clear communication and alleviate any concerns. Explain how switching to Multiplier will result in quicker payments, clearer reporting, and more efficient support, leading to an overall improved payroll experience.
Run a test payroll
Before fully transitioning, it’s essential to run a parallel payroll to ensure that everything is functioning correctly. This test will help identify any potential errors and ensure that your first official payroll with Multiplier goes smoothly.
Ensure strong support
Reliable support is critical during any transition. Multiplier’s dedicated customer service ensures that the switch is stress-free, providing ongoing assistance to help your team navigate the new system with ease.
By following this checklist, you’ll not only make the transition from Remote Payroll to Multiplier smooth and stress-free, but you’ll also set your global payroll operations on a path to greater efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
Multiplier: The smart solution for efficient global payroll management
Selecting the right global payroll provider can make or break your international expansion. While Remote offers the basics, it often falls short when it comes to handling compliance, scalability, and the seamless support businesses need to thrive globally.
That’s where Multiplier payroll comes in, offering a comprehensive solution tailored to the unique challenges of managing a global workforce.
With Multiplier, you can rely on automated, multi-currency payroll, 100% local employment law compliance, and real-time customer support that’s available around the clock. Our transparent pricing, backed by world-class service, ensures you have complete control over payroll operations in every country you operate.
Whether you’re onboarding talent or navigating complex labor laws, Multiplier’s global payroll solution is built to this very complex HR process stress-free and scalable for your growing business.
Book a Demo with Multiplier today and discover why we’re the preferred choice for global organizations.
