At a glance
Explore this case study if:
- You’re looking for a reliable, automated payroll solution
- You manage multiple businesses and need a payroll system that you can trust
- You want to save time and reduce manual payroll tasks with automation and easy award interpretation
A business built on problem-solving
Sharon Sibthorpe, founder of BGS Computers, started her business with a very different focus – computer repairs and upgrades. As she worked with clients, she quickly realised that many of them needed help with their bookkeeping software, particularly MYOB. Over time, her business naturally evolved from IT support to bookkeeping and, eventually, to becoming a registered BAS agent.
Now, Sharon manages the payroll and bookkeeping needs of over 20 businesses including 70 employees using Employment Hero Payroll. Many of her clients are small retail store owners, often with fewer than five employees. Some rely on her for full back-office support, while others need help with payroll and compliance. As she puts it, “I’ll do anything from minimal to full back-office support, depending on what they need.”
Why Sharon chose Employment Hero Payroll
When Sharon’s clients started using NetSuite, they needed a standalone payroll system that was easy to integrate and cost-effective. That’s when she discovered Employment Hero Payroll.
“It was a great standalone payroll option. The cost per employee per month made it very affordable, and it was exactly what we needed.”
The platform also stood out for its ability to manage awards effortlessly. “I love the built-in modern award interpretation. It automatically updates wages when an employee has a birthday, and I get a notification as well. It’s almost set and forget.”
The game-changing features of Employment Hero Payroll
With 20 businesses and around 70 employees relying on her, Sharon needed a payroll system that wouldn’t slow her down. The payroll featured delivered in multiple ways:
Automated pay runs
For clients who receive fixed salaries, Sharon schedules automatic pay runs. “It just does everything for me. All I have to do is check the email reminder, finalise the STP, and it’s done. It saves me so much time.”
Easy modern award interpretationWorking with small retail businesses means Sharon has to keep up with various modern awards and Fair Work requirements. With the payroll module, she doesn’t have to stress about missing updates. “If I set everything up correctly – casual, part-time, full-time – it handles it all. The wage rates update automatically, and I know it’s right.”
Streamlined rostering and timesheets
Encouraging her clients to use timesheets and rostering has also been a major time-saver. “When my clients use the rostering and timesheet features, it’s a huge help. It means I don’t have to manually type in hours. I have some stores that stopped using it when managers changed, and I immediately noticed how much harder it was without it.”
Quick fixes and flexibility
Even when things don’t go as planned, the system’s flexibility makes life easier. “If there’s an error or missing information, I can easily reverse or correct it. No feedback from my clients is usually the best feedback – it means everything is working perfectly.”
Saving time and staying on top of compliance
Managing payroll for 20 businesses means Sharon spends a lot of time in Employment Hero Payroll, especially on Mondays – her biggest payroll day. She and her team use the platform throughout the day to process wages, check approvals and lodge STP submissions.
“I’m in and out of the system all day. Every little thing that saves time – like automated super payments and scheduled reports – it all helps me focus on compliance and staying on top of my clients’ needs.”
Sharon recently started using the platform’s superannuation function as part of the transition to payday super. “Before, I was manually typing super contributions into the ATO clearing house every month or quarter. Now, I can do it all in one place – it’s been great.”
The verdict: “If you’re considering it, just do it”
When asked if she’d recommend Employment Hero Payroll to others, Sharon doesn’t hesitate. “For something that saves you this much time and efficiency, it’s worth paying for.”
Her biggest piece of advice? Use the award interpretation and automation features. “Some of my clients opted out of the award compliance feature, and I don’t think it’s as good without it. The automatic wage updates alone make it worth it.”
For Sharon, Employment Hero Payroll is more than just a tool – it’s a crucial part of how she supports her clients. With time-saving automations, compliance peace of mind and features that simplify payroll, she can focus on what really matters: keeping her clients’ businesses running smoothly.
“I’ve been using payroll systems since 1999, and this is by far one of the easiest and most efficient ones I’ve used.”
Want to see how Employment Hero Payroll can work for you? Book a demo today and discover how it can simplify your payroll processes.
