Mar 2021
16
TWSS Reconciliation – An Important Update
One year after the introduction of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), the Revenue reconciliation process is finally underway. Revenue have now compared the total subsidy amounts paid to employees, against the subsidy amounts paid to the employer. This has allowed Revenue to determine the amount of TWSS owed back to Revenue from employers.
All employers who availed of the TWSS will receive a Statement of Account in their ROS inbox on Monday 22nd March 2021. Employers will have until the end of June to review the detailed information and accept the reconciliation amounts. Once you have accepted the reconciliation calculation, you will either be paid any additional amount due to you by Revenue or be required to repay any amount that you owe to Revenue.
Free Webinar
Join Thesaurus Software for a free webinar on Wednesday 24th March at 10.30 am. In this webinar, we will be joined by a guest speaker from Revenue who will discuss what you need to know about the TWSS reconciliation process. Plus, we will demonstrate how to cross-check reconciliation amounts with the payroll software and how payroll automation can help your business during COVID-19.
Agenda
- TWSS Reconciliation Process
- Reconciling amounts in Thesaurus Payroll Manager
- Reconciling amounts in BrightPay
- How payroll automation can help you with COVID-19
*** High demand for this webinar. Book your place now to avoid disappointment. ***
If you are unable to attend the webinar at the specified time, simply register and we will send you the recording afterwards.
Related Articles:
- COVID-19 & Working from Home - 1 Year On
- EWSS Q&A - Common Support Queries
- Lockdown 3.0 - What have payroll processors learned?
Mar 2021
10
COVID-19 & Working from Home - 1 Year On
It’s been exactly one year since BrightPay sent all employees to work from home for 2 weeks as a mysterious flu-like disease called COVID-19 began spreading across Ireland and the UK. Those 2 weeks have turned in 52 weeks... and counting.
On March 10th 2020, employees were given access to all the tools and resources needed to work from home well in advance of the lockdown panic that came towards the end of March 2020. BrightPay worked with employees to try and strike a balance between ensuring employees could be productive and focused when not in the office, whilst also juggling often hectic home lives as we all adjusted to lockdown. Keeping in-touch and keeping moral up was a key priority.
The company was in a fortunate position to be able to continue employing all members of staff during such a scary and uncertain time. BrightPay’s COVID-19 response plan involved additional staffing and increased hours to assist customers. With payroll being an essential service and part of every business, the show had to go on!
BrightPay has been at the forefront for employers and accountants when it comes to The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and were the first payroll software provider to release software upgrades to cater for the schemes as changes were announced. BrightPay’s overall response to COVID-19 was rated 98.6% in a recent customer survey, and this included payroll upgrades, webinars, online guidance and customer support.
BrightPay won the COVID-19 Hero Award (supplier) at the Accounting Excellence Awards that took place recently. There were a number of criteria that were considered by the panel for this award. Judging took into account the speed, time and relevance of businesses’ COVID-19 response and how many customers accessed it.
Despite all the COVID-19 scheme changes, upgrades and webinars, the developers have been kept busy constantly improving the software and introducing new features. BrightPay’s optional add-on product, BrightPay Connect now supports two-factor authentication sign in. This means you can add an extra layer of security to the employer login on your BrightPay Connect account in case your password is stolen.
As remote and flexible working are now the new normal, BrightPay in tandem with BrightPay Connect now allows for a completely seamless "working from home" experience where there are multiple individuals who work on or require access to the same employer files. BrightPay Connect can help you prevent conflicting copies of the payroll, including an ‘other user check’ and a ‘version check’ when opening the payroll.
Let’s hope we all return to a somewhat normal life within the next year, and that I won’t be writing ‘working from home 104 weeks later’ this time next year. BrightPay wishes you the very best as we enter Year 2 of living with COVID-19.
If you are looking to change payroll software provider or looking to bring your payroll in-house, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Book a free 15-minute online demo to see how BrightPay can change your world of payroll.
Related Articles:
- Lockdown 3.0 - What have we learned?
- BrightPay Connect – It's better than ever before!
- Is BrightPay the right fit for your business?
Mar 2021
8
International Women’s Day 2021
Thesaurus Software is proud to be supporting International Women’s Day 2021.
The theme of International Women’s Day this year is “Choose to Challenge”, a theme we wholeheartedly agree with. When we challenge the norms, the status quo, the “because that’s just the way it is”, we create change. At Thesaurus Software we firmly believe that change is necessary for development and improvement, so much so that it is embedded in our core values.
This year we are enhancing our Inclusion and Diversity efforts, in the hope that all staff will feel comfortable in bringing their whole self to work. International Women’s Day is our first day of celebration this year, our aim is not only to celebrate our women, but to raise awareness of inclusion more generally.
Promoting Gender Equality at Thesaurus
We are proud to say that we have always had a strong representation of women right across our company.
Our senior management team is 66% female. Across the Company as a whole, we are 64% female.
As we grow, we are continuously looking at how we can best assist our employees to grow and be themselves. In the last six months, we have introduced two key initiatives which help us achieve this.
- Firstly, LinkedIn Learning has been made available to all employees. LinkedIn Learning has been a game-changer for our employees and opened the window on learning and awareness.
- Secondly, we have just introduced paid maternity and paternity leave. We really hope that this will help new parents to be successful both at work and at home.
Our Female Leaders
We asked some of our female leaders for their thoughts on working in leadership;
“It’s important that all managers inspire, engage, and encourage their team. This is what I strive for. As a female manager, I’m very privileged to work for a company that recognises and promotes these values for both men and women equally. Females in any workplace should never underestimate what they are capable of achieving” - Karen Bennett, Chief Commercial Officer
“My advice to my 20-year-old self would be to think of your career as a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t ever settle on the first job or career path you undertake, if you are not invested in it. Allow yourself the time to discover what are you passionate about doing. Finding a job that I love has certainly helped me reach the point in my career that I’m at today.” - Victoria Clarke, Product Development Manager
“As a woman working for Thesaurus Software for the past 23 years and fast approaching retirement, I feel I am now entering the most exciting period of my career at Thesaurus Software and rather than winding down, the journey forward in this fast-growing company, supported by our amazing CEO, Paul Byrne has no limits.” - Ann Tighe, Senior Business Development Manager
“Working at Thesaurus as a woman in management, I feel inspired by other female leaders and peers within the company to lead my team with the same encouragement I feel every day. I have always felt hugely supported as a woman within Thesaurus which has provided me with the tools I need to motivate and empower my team, particularly as I progressed into the management role.” - Cailin Reilly, Sales Manager
“After joining Thesaurus Software as a Marketing Intern, I never thought that I would be where I am today after just 6 years. Working at Thesaurus Software has really given me the opportunity to progress, both in terms of personal and professional development. No two years have been the same and it has been an exciting time to be part of the team, helping the company grow to where it is today.” - Rachel Hynes, Marketing Manager
IWD 2021 in Thesaurus
Some of our fantastic team have taken part in the IWD challenge, standing up socially distantly and choosing to challenge. See their fab pictures below.
This year, we will also be using our LinkedIn Learning platform to raise awareness around inclusion and equity in the workplace. We have a series of short informative videos addressing a range of topics that we will share with staff remotely during March.
Our message to all our employees today is, bring your whole self to work, your thoughts and ideas are valued, we love to hear them. Working together, trusting, respecting and supporting each other we can only do great things.
Oct 2019
3
One year later... Can PAYE Modernisation be considered a triumph?
Join BrightPay’s Paul Byrne as he takes you through the PAYE Modernisation journey so far, and decides whether or not PAYE Modernisation has been a success. During the webinar, Paul will also review some of the most common mistakes employers have made to date and what employers should expect in 2020.
As part of this webinar, we’ll take a closer look at BrightPay Connect and how important it is to backup your payroll data for PAYE Modernisation. Ian Jenkinson will take you on a whistle-stop tour revealing the hidden benefits of our self-service employee app and explain how BrightPay Connect’s cloud platforms can improve your payroll processes.
We are delighted to be joined by our guest speaker Sinead Sweeney, who is the PAYE Modernisation Change Manager at Revenue. Sinead will discuss what has happened since PAYE Modernisation has gone live and what challenges businesses are facing.
The webinar is CPD accredited for accountants and payroll bureaus. The webinar is free to attend and takes place on 23rd October at 11.00 am for payroll bureaus and 24th October at 11.00 am for employers. Limited places available - book your place now to avoid disappointment.
Can’t make it? Register for the webinar anyway and we will send you the on-demand recording when it’s ready.
More upcoming webinars
BrightPay is hosting a number of webinars over the coming months. More upcoming webinars include:
Aug 2019
19
Upcoming Webinars - Brought to you by BrightPay
PAYE Modernisation Webinars | Guest Speaker: Revenue
BrightPay has teamed up with Revenue where we will look back on PAYE Modernisation in 2019 and decide if the new real time payroll reporting system has been a success. The PAYE Modernisation webinar series features four webinars for employers and four webinars for payroll bureaus and accountants, starting with PAYE Modernisation: One year on - was it a success? which takes place at the end of September.
Payroll & Cloud Platforms
Cloud technology is here and it can easily compliment any SME workplace. This webinar busts the myth that employee related technology is only for the big employer. During our webinar on the 2nd of October - Payroll and cloud platforms: What employers need to know (and why employees love it) - we take a look at exactly how you can manage your employee administration with cloud technology. Huge cost and time savings can be made by using the right technology.
Employment Law Webinars
Business Owners and Managers are all too aware of the ongoing challenges and constant changes in the area of Employment Law and HR Best Practice. This webinar will offer the opportunity to keep abreast of change and plan for the future, including terms and conditions of employment, gender pay reporting, parental leave and WRC 2019 targets. Join us on the 12th of September for 2019 HR & Employment Law Landscape to make sure you’re kept up-to-date with employment law.
Don’t miss out!
Subscribe to our newsletter today to find out about more upcoming webinars, events, special offers, legislation changes, payroll related news and other group products. You will be able to unsubscribe at anytime.
Feb 2018
22
Getting Ready for PAYE Modernisation
January 2019 will see the introduction of PAYE Modernisation - the most significant reform of the Irish PAYE system since its introduction in 1960. This new system will mean that employees’ pay and deductions will need to be reported to Revenue in real time.
PAYE Modernisation will be operational for all employee payments being made from 1st January 2019 and will make it easier for Revenue, employers and employees to ensure that the right tax is deducted and paid at the right time.
As a result, employers and payroll bureaus will need to review their current business processes and practices in order for the new requirements to be met.
Free PAYE Modernisation Webinars
To help with the rollout of PAYE Modernisation, BrightPay by Thesaurus Software have teamed up with Revenue to bring you free online training webinars. These webinars are designed for employers and payroll bureaus to discuss what PAYE Modernisation will mean for your business and to help you prepare for the transition to the new system.
Our next PAYE Modernisation webinars take place in March and are free to attend. Guest speakers include Sinead Sweeney (Revenue) and Sandra Clarke (Irish Tax Institute).
- 27th March @ 11.00 am
Employer Webinar: Are you ready for PAYE Modernisation?
Find out more | Register here - 28th March @ 11.00 am
Payroll Bureaus: Getting ready for PAYE Modernisation (CPD Accredited)
Find out more | Register here
If you are unable to attend the webinar at the specified time, simply register and we will send you the recording afterwards.
Sign up to BrightPay’s newsletter
GDPR is changing how we communicate with you. After May 2018, we will not be able to email you about webinar events, special offers, legislation changes, other group products and payroll related news without you subscribing to our newsletter. You will be able to unsubscribe at anytime. Don’t miss out - sign up to our newsletter today!
Sep 2015
28
Free business event for employers in the North East - Taking care of business
After previous successful events, Revenue is participating in another free one-stop-shop event for SMEs, “Taking Care of Business”. If you own or manage a small business, or are thinking of starting your own business, you should visit www.takingcareofbusiness.ie to register as places are limited.
This is an initiative organized by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation.
The events have been designed to help small and start-up businesses understand and benefit from the services provided by a range of State Bodies.
Attendees will:
• Meet with representatives from a number of State Offices & Agencies
• Get information & advice on running your business
• Find out ways to save your business money
• Receive support to help you in your business
This half-day event will take place on Thursday, 8th October in the Westcourt Hotel, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
To find out more and to register, please visit www.takingcareofbusiness.ie
May 2015
22
IPASS - Annual Payroll Conference
IPASS (IRISH PAYROLL ASSOCIATION) held their annual payroll conference in Croke Park on the 21st May. Paul Byrne and Audrey Mooney from Thesaurus Software Limited attended the conference. They enjoyed meeting the other exhibitors, the delegates and listening to the guest speakers. The speakers included Lindsay Melvin the CEO of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP), John Kelly from the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), representatives from Revenue and Department of Social Protection (DSP).
It was also an opportunity to show our payroll product BrightPay which is available for Irish and UK payroll. BrightPay is a simple but powerful payroll software package that makes managing payroll quick and easy. It is designed for small to medium sized businesses, accountants and other payroll bureau providers.
BrightPay Ireland can be downloaded from www.brightpay.ie
BrightPay UK can be downloaded from www.brightpay.co.uk
BrightPay installs as a trial version, which you can use licence free for 60 days at no cost.
Thank you and congratulations to Noelle Quinn and the IPASS team for another successful and enjoyable annual conference.
Mar 2015
24
Free business event for SMEs in the South East - Taking Care of Business
After previous successful events, Revenue is participating in another free one-stop-shop event for SMEs, “Taking Care of Business”. If you own or manage a small business, or are thinking of starting your own business, you should visit www.takingcareofbusiness.ie to register as places are limited.
This is an initiative organized by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation.
The events have been designed to help small and start-up businesses understand and benefit from the services provided by a range of State Bodies.
Attendees will:
• Meet with representatives from a number of State Offices & Agencies
• Get information & advice on running your business
• Find out ways to save your business money
• Receive support to help you in your business
This half-day event will take place on Thursday, 30th April in the Tower Hotel, Waterford.
To find out more please visit www.takingcareofbusiness.ie
Sep 2014
24
e-Day has come and gone - 5 practical tips!
The government, its departments and agencies no longer issue cheques to or accept cheques from businesses. From a business perspective this has an impact on payments to government such as VAT payments and any employer deductions to payroll made at source.
Here are five practical tips published by the Irish Independent to assist businesses in being ready for life without cheques:
1.Review your historic payments to government or its agencies in order to understand the typical value of these payments, how often they are paid, and identify the date the next payment is due in order to understand what impact this will have on cashflow.
2. If these payments were previously made by cheque, you will need to find out the recipient’s payment details including BIC / IBAN, in order to make a successful payment on time to avoid late payment penalties.
3. Understand your current processes for making payments to identify which have to change, and ensure that you are aware of the SEPA regulations on timelines for submission of electronic payments. If pay-runs currently happen at a particular time of the week or month, these may need to change in order to fulfil the requirements under SEPA.
4. Recognise that e-Day is simply the next step under the National Payments Plan that will fundamentally change the way that businesses manage payments as the market shifts from cash and cheque to electronic formats. You will need to ensure efficient cash flow management and enable faster payments into your business by facilitating your customers to pay you electronically or offer card payments
5. Whilst e-Day might necessitate process change in your business which is typically uncomfortable and time consuming, it is important to bear in mind that cheque payments typically carry longer clearing times, are more costly and lead to longer delays in getting paid as a business.
