Before payroll software, there was manual payroll, in which the payroll personnel had to perform all payroll tasks by hand. A manual payroll system results in a high room for error. Consequently, many employers invest in payroll software. One of the most critical features of payroll software is the ability to create checks. The scope and needs of your business determines which type of payroll software you should use. Furthermore, how you generate and print your own payroll checks depends on the software.

Research the payroll software market. Search online for the best payroll software available. Ensure it has all the features you need such as wage, deduction and tax calculation and reporting; direct deposit; W2 and 1099 processing; and check printing.

Use accounting software such as Peachtree if you have considerable accounting tasks along with payroll. Use stand-alone payroll software such as Pensoft if you require more payroll features. Peachtree and Pensoft are popular among small business. Use custom/in-house payroll software such as Ultipro if your payroll is large, you would like a full HR feature attached, and if you are conducting mass check printing; for instance, 1000 employees.

Use the payroll software’s check-printing feature to print your own payroll checks. The procedure varies per software. Still, there is a general pattern for the process leading up to the actual check printing.

Enter the employees’ hours into the system and make necessary adjustments such as changes to deductions. Print a pre-processing report, which allows you to double-check employees’ payroll data such as exact deductions, and wages to be paid. Make changes if necessary. Then, locate the check-printing feature; generate and print the checks.

Tip

Contact the payroll software vendor if you experience trouble with any feature of the software.