Top 8 Payroll softwares for Canadian businesses going global

Payroll software can help you keep track of expenses and ensure your team members always receive their wages on time. Avoid mistakes, scale your business, and maintain smooth financial operations with the right payroll system.

Let’s take a look at the top payroll software, including key criteria for the best software systems for Canadian businesses. We’ll also consider how you can use Wise to take your business global, all while reducing international costs.

Take your business abroad with Wise 🚀

Table of contents
Criteria for choosing your international payroll software Top 8 Payroll software to help your business go global 1. QuickBooks Online 2. ADP Workforce Now 3. Ceridian Dayforce 4. Payworks 5. Wave 6. Sage 50 Cloud Payroll 7. Paysavvy (now Rise) 8. Desjardins Payroll and HR Services Wise(formerly Transferwise) for International Businesses

Criteria for choosing your international payroll software

There are some key criteria you need to consider when choosing the best international payroll software for your business.

Let’s take a look at the main features you need from your payroll software.

1. Multi-Currency Support: The best payroll for international businesses needs to provide multi-currency options, such as Wise. But more on that later!

2. Compliance Management: Many payroll systems include up-to-date compliance management. This will make sure your business complies with the law at all times. By making the most of intelligent algorithms, you can reduce the margin for human error. You can also access important details to file your taxes.

3. Scalability: If you want to effectively scale your business, you need to have the best processes in place. Choosing the right payroll software will reduce time spent filling out forms and paying employees – giving you time to focus on growing your business worldwide.

4. Integration: Integrate your payroll system with different management software, such as accounting tools like Xero® or QuickBooks Online®. This can keep everything for your business in one place, smoothing out your financial operations.

5. User Interface and Ease of Use: Choose payroll software with a simple user interface, such as easy direct deposit options and employee scheduling tools to automate as much as possible.

6. Multilingual Support: If you’re used to operating in multiple languages, such as French and English, you may need multilingual support from your payroll software.

7. Payment Processing: Each month, your business sends out countless payments – from employee wages to tax contributions. It’s not just about paying for expenses, you also need to work out sick pay and vacation time. Save time with the right international payroll software.

8. Tax Filing: Your payroll system should automatically work out any tax deductions from your employee wages, and you can keep track of all your payments in one place. You can also file your taxes via many payroll systems.

9. Customization: Some payroll software options offer advanced features for international businesses in Canada. Customization tools may include cash flow management and collaboration options.

10. Employee Self-Service: Bring everything in your business together with employee self-service. Your employees can clock in and out or enter their shift and vacation dates, with shared calendars available with many systems.

11. Security: Security is a top priority when you’re dealing with employee, customer, and business data. Look out for payroll software with advanced security features, such as data encryption.

12. Customer Support: If something goes wrong, you need accessible customer service to get help for your business. This may include 24/7 support or advanced resources to make the most of your software.

13. Pricing Structure: Different payroll systems use different pricing structures, such as a tiered membership system. Some companies may also offer special discounts, so make sure to check the pricing structure before making your choice.

14. Reviews and Reputation: It’s important to read reviews of potential international payroll software, as it can help you understand whether the software is the best choice for you and your business.

15. Reporting Capabilities: Many payroll systems offer reporting capabilities and insights, letting you access your accounting records or employee analytics whenever you need them.

16. Time and Attendance Tracking: Use your international payroll software to manage your time, with integrated scheduling for you and your employees, and automatic calculations for overtime.

Top 8 Payroll software to help your business go global

Let’s take a look at some of the best payroll software to take your business global, including an overview of key features for international businesses in Canada.

1. QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online offers a huge range of payroll and business management tools for businesses of all sizes, including freelancers and companies with multiple employees.

With a QuickBooks Online Essentials membership, you can:

• track income and expenses
• manage bills and payments
• access multi-currency support

You can also add up to 25 users with an Advanced QuickBooks membership.¹

Easily integrate your QuickBooks account with Wise Business. Keep track of your international transactions and sync your balance statements and records.

2. ADP Workforce Now

ADP Workforce Now® is a popular international payroll software for Canadian businesses – and you can use this platform to support your global workforce strategy.

Use ADP Workforce Now to improve your financial operations, including:

• fast payroll solutions
• time management tools
• HR services
• easy integrations

ADP Workforce Now offers a range of different systems to suit businesses of all sizes, including tailored support for small businesses, mid-sized businesses, and large businesses with 1000+ employees.²

3. Ceridian Dayforce

Ceridian Dayforce® is one of the best payroll software systems in Canada, connecting global businesses with accessible management tools.

This payroll software is known for its global reach. Use Ceridian to send payments to employees and clients in 160+ countries.³

With Ceridian Dayforce, you can:

• automatically pay your employees
• manage compliance within your business
• access advanced HR analytics

Ceridian offers a suite of products for businesses, so it’s important to decide which system is the best for you.⁴

4. Payworks

Payworks® creates payroll management software for Canadian businesses to conduct transactions all over the world.

Use Payworks as your international payroll solution, including:

• custom reporting
• tax filing capabilities
• integration with other helpful tools
• unlimited payroll previews for your employees⁵

You can also access fantastic customer service at Payworks, with calls to the service team answered in under 60 seconds.⁶

5. Wave

Wave® is a money management tool for small business owners and freelancers. There are lots of key features for international businesses in Canada:

• Send invoices and payments
• Track your expenses
• Access a user-friendly interface to simplify your payroll process
• Monitor your cash flow
• Pay your staff⁷

It’s free to use Wave’s invoicing and accounting software, but it may be too basic for some businesses – and you may need to pay for payroll services or access to an advisor.⁸

6. Sage 50 Cloud Payroll

Sage 50 Accounting® gives you access to simple payroll systems and payment processing. You can also use this user-friendly software to manage your business cash flow and track your spending.⁹

Rated 4.4 on Trustpilot Canada®, there are lots of great features for Canadian businesses going global¹⁰:

• Prepare payroll cheques and direct deposits
• Pay your employees
• Customize the platform to your needs
• Schedule payroll payments

Use Sage 50 Cloud Payroll to manage and prepare your taxes, including your T4, T4a, T5018, ROE, and RL-1 forms.¹¹

You can now reap the benefits of Sage business cloud payroll with your Wise Business Account!

7. Paysavvy (now Rise)

Rise®, formerly Paysavvy®, is one of the best international payroll software options available in Canada, helping you streamline all of your HR processes in one place.

Use Rise to:

• make payments in 90+ local currencies¹²
• set up payroll for your employees
• manage compliance and submit your taxes

You can use Rise to hire, onboard, and pay your team – whether they’re based in Canada or further afield. You can also integrate Rise with other useful tools and resources, including FreshBooks®, Xero, and QuickBooks.¹³

8. Desjardins Payroll and HR Services

If you’re an employer, Desjardins® can help you manage your business payroll, with 38,000 businesses using this system.

Desjardins Payroll and HR Services offers a range of features for global businesses, including:

• remittance management
• payroll processing
• integrated tools
• payroll data, reports, and analytics

You’ll pay a custom rate for Desjardins, with different rates for businesses of different sizes.¹⁴ Access advanced security features to protect your money – and your data. This includes a 4-part identity protection and fraud support.¹⁵

Wise(formerly Transferwise) for International Businesses

Use Wise Business to take your business global, with advanced payroll features, an easy-to-use interface, multilingual support, and dedicated fraud prevention for you and your business.

Simplify your business operations with Wise:

• Send batch payments to up to 1000 people at once, including flexible international payments at the mid-market exchange rate
• Set up invoicing and reporting with API integrations and customized API tokens
• Manage team expenses with your Wise card
• Integrate Wise with Xero, Quickbooks, and other tools via the Wise app marketplace

Manage your business cash flow in multiple different countries – all from one Wise Business account. With features to pay overseas staff and withdraw money from platforms like Amazon®, Wise is the all-in-one solution to your payroll needs.

Stop manually paying out to clients and employees – and spend more time building your global reach!

To find out more about taking your business global, check out Wise.

Grow your business internationally with Wise for all your payment needs

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Sources

1. QuickBooks Online

2. ADP Workforce Now

3. Ceridian Dayforce

4. Ceridian Dayforce

5. Payworks

6. Payworks

7. Wave Apps

8. Wave Apps

9. Sage 50 Cloud Payroll

10. Trustpilot Canada

11. Sage 50 Cloud Payroll

12. Rise Works

13. Rise People

14. Desjardins

15. Desjardins
    Sources verified on: 14 December 2023