---
title: "Payroll for Startups | Accounting Prose"
description: "Explore how payroll for startups can streamline your finances. Discover stress-free FinOps as a Service with Accounting Prose. Starting at $150/mo"
type: article
version: 2
version_id: "9da327b1-64e1-4e77-b93c-c9ddd213d148"
generated_at: "2026-10-08T01:05:24.678Z"
language: en
reading_time: "19 min"
word_count: 3686
keywords: ["Payroll for Startups", "Accounting Prose", "Why founders choose us", "With Us vs Without us", "What you get", "How it works", "What Clients Say"]
url: "https://accountingprose.com/en/outsourced-payroll-services"
---

# Payroll for Startups | Accounting Prose

> Explore how payroll for startups can streamline your finances. Discover stress-free FinOps as a Service with Accounting Prose. Starting at $150/mo

## Key Takeaways

- Pay your people right, every time.
- Gusto Gold Partner and Xero 2026 Mid-Size Firm of the Year
- Why founders choose us
- With Us vs Without us
- What you get

## Contents

- [Pay your people right, every time.](#pay-your-people-right-every-time)
- [Gusto Gold Partner and  Xero 2026 Mid-Size Firm of the Year](#gusto-gold-partner-and-xero-2026-mid-size-firm-of-the-year)
- [Why founders choose us](#why-founders-choose-us)
- [With Us vs Without us](#with-us-vs-without-us)
- [What you get](#what-you-get)
- [How it works](#how-it-works)
- [Pricing](#pricing)
- [What Clients Say](#what-clients-say)
- [“Accounting Prose is at the top of their game.”](#accounting-prose-is-at-the-top-of-their-game)
- [“My accounting and finance stress has been relieved 100%”](#my-accounting-and-finance-stress-has-been-relieved-100)
- [“I FREAKING LOVE Accounting Prose!”](#i-freaking-love-accounting-prose)
- [“Accounting Prose is a new breed.”](#accounting-prose-is-a-new-breed)
- [“I don’t think of them as my accountants, but as my partner in business.”](#i-don-t-think-of-them-as-my-accountants-but-as-my-partner-in-business)
- [“I STRONGLY recommend Accounting Prose to any/all small business owners.”](#i-strongly-recommend-accounting-prose-to-any-all-small-business-owners)
- [“Accounting Prose is a high-tech responsive business partner with excellent customer service.”](#accounting-prose-is-a-high-tech-responsive-business-partner-with-excellent-customer-service)
- [“Accounting Prose is AWESOME!”](#accounting-prose-is-awesome)
- [“With Accounting Prose on board I can focus on running the business and not crunching the numbers.”](#with-accounting-prose-on-board-i-can-focus-on-running-the-business-and-not-crunching-the-numbers)
- [FAQs](#faqs)

# Outsourced Payroll for Growing Teams

## **Pay your people right, every time.** 

Accurate, compliant payroll on Gusto for one employee or a team across multiple states, run by specialists who know your business.

Book a Call

See pricing

## Gusto Gold Partner and  Xero 2026 Mid-Size Firm of the Year[](https://blog.accountingprose.com/xero-mid-size-firm-of-the-year-2026?hsLang=en)[
](https://blog.accountingprose.com/xero-mid-size-firm-of-the-year-2026?hsLang=en)[](https://blog.accountingprose.com/xero-mid-size-firm-of-the-year-2026?hsLang=en)

## Why founders choose us

### **Payroll shouldn't be a dirty word.**

Deductions, PTO, benefits, garnishments, and reimbursements pile up as you grow. As a Gusto Gold partner, we pair Gusto with a dedicated payroll specialist so running payroll stays simple. 

####  Unlimited payroll runs at no extra cost

####  Federal and state payroll tax filings handled

####  W-2s and 1099s filed ande delivered on time

####  Payroll tax accounts set up as you hire across states

## With Us vs Without us

### **Payroll off your plate, for good**

Running payroll yourself works until you hire in a new state, miss a deadline, or get a scary notice in the mail. 

#### RunniNg it Yourself

##### **Every run**

on your plate, every pay period 

##### Errors you pay for

A missed deduction or late tax deposit turns into penalties or unhappy employees. 

##### New-state surprises

Hiring in a new state means new tax accounts, and it's easy to miss one. 

##### Year-end scramble

W-2s, 1099s, and annual filings pile up at the worst possible time. 

##### No one to call

When something breaks on payday, you're the help desk. 

#### with accounting prose

##### **starting at $150**

per month, unlimited pay runs

##### A payroll specialist

A dedicated payroll specialist runs payroll with you and knows your setup. 

##### Every state covered

We set up payroll tax accounts as you hire in new states. 

##### Filings handled

Federal and state payroll taxes, plus year-end W-2s and 1099s filed on time 

##### Help when you need it most

No more waiting on hold, just to talk to a stranger. Questions answered quickly by someone who knows you and your team. 

## What you get

### **Why we run payroll on Gusto**

No matter if your employees are across the room, state, or the other side of the world, Gusto makes it easy to pay your team quickly and efficiently.

As a Gold Partner, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses grow with Gusto and have access to all the platform has to offer. Through our partnership, we go beyond full-service payroll to handle employee benefits, 401K matching, PTO, workers comp, and more, all in one easy-to-manage place.

### Simple onboarding

Stop struggling with outdated payroll systems. Migrating to Gusto is lightning fast and makes hiring and onboarding super simple. With features like automated software provisioning, you can sail through set up and get back to doing what you do best!

### Global payments

Easily pay all of your domestic employees, no matter where they are in the US, and pay international contractors in more than 80 countries. Preserve your cash on hand and in control of your payroll with optional next-day direct deposits.

### Unlimited payroll runs

Never worry about unexpected changes or extra fees when paying your team. Our flexible approach gives you the freedom to run payroll as often as you need, ensuring your employees and contractors get paid on time, every time.

### Remote-work ready

Expanding your US-based remote team? We’ll handle the payroll tax license setup, so you’re always compliant. Your dedicated payroll expert will support and guide you every step of the way.

### Automated taxes

Never miss a deadline with automated payment and filing of federal/state taxes and forms. Year-end filings, including Form W2 and Form 1099, are also available online for quick download.

### **Employee self service**

Your team can access pay stubs, tax forms, and onboarding documents anytime through our secure employee self-service portal. It’s simple, convenient, and keeps everyone in the loop—no more paperwork headaches.

## How it works

### **Up and running in three steps**

### **01**

#### **Book a call**

No need for a long, drawn-out sales process. We just need to know a little bit about your business before we get started. 

### **02**

#### **Sign your proposal**

A simple contract with your services, pricing, and terms, then we set up Gusto. 

### **03**

#### **Launch payroll**

Pay your team with confidence, with a specialist on call when something changes. 

## Pricing

### **Simple pricing that grows with your team**

A flat monthly fee based on how many people you pay, plus a one-time onboarding fee. You pay Gusto directly, so you can change your Gusto plan at any time. 

### STARTING AT

#### **$150**/month

For 1 to 5 people; pay $100 more for each additional 5. Plus a one-time onboarding fee, and you pay Gusto directly.

#####
 Unlimited payroll runs

#####  Federal and state payroll tax filings

#####  Year-end W-2s and 1099s

#####  A dedicated payroll specialist

[](javascript:void) 

## What Clients Say

### **Founders who stopped losing sleep over payday**

###

## “Accounting Prose is at the top of their game.”

Having a friendly and dedicated team assist in handling the books has been a huge time and money saver. They’ve always been flexible in working with our systems and making sure the right solutions are in place.

**Arthur Dodd
***Owner & CTO, Blue Collar Computing*

## “My accounting and finance stress has been relieved 100%”

As an entrepreneur and business owner of multiple businesses, they definitely know how to take the workload and stress off my plate so I can focus on what matters: growing my business.

**Jon Boles**
*Founder & CEO, Avintiv Media*

## “I FREAKING LOVE Accounting Prose!”

Thank you for streamlined processes, total accountability, and an awesome vibe and culture. I would recommend them to any small business or entrepreneur.

**Russ Perry**
*Founder & CEO, Design Pickle*

## “Accounting Prose is a new breed.”

They not only keep on top of my books, but they actively work to innovate their own tools and processes. Unlike any number cruncher I have ever met, they abandon outdated systems and move to new, innovative ones. Accounting Prose is worth every penny.

**Dean Heckler** 
*CEO, Heckler Design*

## “I don’t think of them as my accountants, but as my partner in business.”

Their forward-thinking approach and utilization of the best technology are what sold me on Accounting Prose. They have been easy to work with and always on point.

**Ken Marley**
*Owner, Denver Small Moves*

## “I STRONGLY recommend Accounting Prose to any/all small business owners.”

Since working with Accounting Prose, I've been able to focus more time and energy on operations & growing my business.

**Matt Johannsen**
*CoFounder & CFO, Upstairs Circus*

## “Accounting Prose is a high-tech responsive business partner with excellent customer service.”

Last Friday I had an urgent matter that needed immediate attention. My accountant listened, took immediate action, and helped resolve the problem Friday night, so that I could relax over the weekend.

**Brett Gibson**
*Owner, Gibson Law Office*

## “Accounting Prose is AWESOME!”

Accounting Prose is very professional and super organized.  I love how they use up to date and easy to use tools online. I highly recommend them!

**M****ike Arce**
*Founder, Loud Rumor*

## “With Accounting Prose on board I can focus on running the business and not crunching the numbers.”

Accounting Prose is amazing. They are knowledgeable, technically savvy and easy to work with. I would definitely recommend them.

**RoAnne Thorne**
*Principal & CFO*

## FAQs

### Questions founders ask us

-   Why Gusto?

    After trying every payroll software under the sun, we’ve found that [Gusto](https://accountingprose.com/gusto?hsLang=en) is simply the best! Check out what people are saying on G2, Trust Pilot, GetApp, and TrustRadius.

    If you’re happy with the payroll software you currently use, we’re happy to integrate it with Xero and let you keep running payroll on your own. Want to switch to Gusto instead, we’ll handle the migration for you.

-   What's included in the onboarding fee?

    Our onboarding fee covers setting up your payroll system, ensuring tax compliance, syncing your payroll accounts, and getting your team ready to get paid. It also includes a one-on-one call to review your unique needs.

-   What does payroll cost each month?

    We charge a flat fee based on the number of employees you have and you pay for your Gusto subscription directly (unlike Xero). This gives you the flexibility to upgrade or downgrade your subscription at any time.

    (You get the picture)

-   What is included in the monthly payroll fee?

    We handle payroll processing, tax filings, and support—so you can relax, knowing your team gets paid on time and stays compliant.

-   What add-on services are available?

    You can add services like payroll tax account setup, payroll tax research, garnishment management, and more. We’ll discuss your needs during the intro call.

-   When is the best time to switch payroll providers?

    If you’re unhappy with your current payroll service, the best time to make the switch is *now*. We can migrate your business to Gusto mid-month, quarter, or even year, so timing is not an issue.

-   Can you help me with multi-state payroll?

    Yes! We can run payroll in all fifty nifty United States and can set up payroll tax withholding and unemployment insurance accounts if they aren’t currently set up. We charge a fee per account set up, which varies by jurisdiction, and always get your written approval ahead of time to get things going.

-   Is there a contract?

    Yes, we’ll send you a simple contract that outlines your services, pricing, and terms.

-   How do I get started?

    Just follow the steps on this page:

    1.  [](https://share.hsforms.com/1gYeGs1DUS1m1jcrAs_yhWAyrmn?__hstc=82273865.c3f28909d952e4b9de35db502ad783e8.1777938174761.1791394793293.1791405227286.113&__hssc=82273865.42.1791405227286&__hsfp=913cf771e9537f741a791550c3437d55)

        [Book a call](https://meetings.hubspot.com/enzo-garza/free-consultation-enzo-sol)

    2.  Review & sign your contract

    3.  Launch payroll!

-   Can you file payroll taxes for me?

    Yes! We handle payroll tax filings at the federal and state level (941, 940, state equivalents), so you don’t have to worry about compliance.

-   Is there a contract?

    Yes, we'll provide a comprehensive agreement that outlines your services, deliverables, pricing, and terms. Our contracts are designed for long-term partnerships that grow with your business.

-   Do you process W-2s and 1099s?

    Absolutely. We handle year-end filings and make sure your team gets their forms on time.

-   How do you pay my team?

    We offer direct deposit, printable PDFs for onsite checks, and global contractor payments - so you can pay your team your way.

## We work with innovative companies across diverse industries including: [SaaS](/en/accounting-for-software-as-a-service?hsLang=en), [HaaS](/accounting-for-haas-companies?hsLang=en), [Marketing Agencies](/en/accounting-for-marketing-agencies?hsLang=en), [Consultants](/en/accounting-for-consultants?hsLang=en), [Law Firms](/en/accounting-for-law-firms?hsLang=en) & [eCommerce](/en/accounting-for-ecommerce?hsLang=en).

## Make the switch to stress-free payroll

Book a call. We'll review your current setup and get you running on Gusto the right way from day one. 

[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1622111/90cc11a9-277a-4042-8494-7f84f6242e76)

---

## About This Content

**Source:** [Payroll for Startups | Accounting Prose](https://accountingprose.com/en/outsourced-payroll-services)

*This content is provided for informational purposes. Please visit the original source for the most up-to-date information.*