How to Tackle Multi-Country Payroll Complexities Like a Boss

The Coca-Cola Company, the American multinational that is a household name, has 62,600 employees in over 200 countries across the world. Home-bred Infosys Ltd., has operations in 46 countries. 

The truly globalized nature of trade today means that a number of businesses operate in multiple locations. This makes for a complicated payroll management system. As such, payroll services are complex because of the myriad compliance requirements, employee categories, and reporting standards involved. When the diverse requirements in various domestic and international locations converge, it can be a daunting and expensive operation.  

However, some simple measures implemented in a payroll management system can help you ace the move.  

Outsourcing and Centralization

According to a survey conducted last year by Immedis, a Dublin-based payroll outsourcing services firm, 41 percent of respondents said that the chief problem they faced with global payroll was keeping up with tax legislations in multiple jurisdictions. 

Hiring in-house employees for taxation in every country could hike up operational costs. Instead, onboarding an experienced payroll outsourcing service that is specialized in multi-country tax laws can improve efficiency while reducing overheads.  

Another hack for a successful global payroll system would be to have centralized operations. Given the EU’s latest General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), it makes sense to consolidate all employee information in one location. The new GDPR rules apply not just to businesses operating in the EU, but also any company that interacts with residents or businesses in the EU. Centralization tackles the issue of both compliance and cost…like killing two birds with one stone. 

Standardization and Technology

Having different formats for payroll data in various locations can prove difficult for employees when they are relocated within the organization. This can disrupt centralized activity, even if payroll services are managed by an outsourcing vendor. Having a standardized platform with cutting-edge technology for collecting and storing information can simplify the process. 

The best payroll software is quick, able to minimize human error, and scalable across different locations and employee volumes. Adopting cloud-based technology and automation can transform how global payroll functions. 

Standardization and Technology

Having different formats for payroll data in various locations can prove difficult for employees when they are relocated within the organization. This can disrupt centralized activity, even if payroll services are managed by an outsourcing vendor. Having a standardized platform with cutting-edge technology for collecting and storing information can simplify the process. 

The best payroll software is quick, able to minimize human error, and scalable across different locations and employee volumes. Adopting cloud-based technology and automation can transform how global payroll functions. 

Integration Across Departments

Apart from centralizing information across various geographies, it is also important for payroll operations to work in conjunction with other departments. If the payroll services provider is the last to know about expanding business to a new location, or an employee movement, it can affect efficiency. 

Payroll, in conversation with the finance and legal departments, can determine how the decisions would affect the company’s bottom line and whether the move is justified. 

Takeaway

Ultimately, every growing business wants access to an international market. Having offices in different countries need not affect operational efficiency, especially when it comes to managing HR or payroll. The right outsourcing partner, armed with latest technology, and good internal coordination, can ensure that payroll is never an issue: whether with regulators, or with employees.