1. 2011 Review of Paramount Software Solutions, Inc. — Crest Payroll
Paramount Software - Crest Payroll
888-400-1613
www.ParamountSoftware.com
Best Fit: Companies and firms who want a
sophisticated, web-based payroll product that
integrates with their existing websites, as well as
organizations that use Paramount’s other applications
(eVault 365 DMS, Meridian MSP recruiting).
Crest Payroll from Paramount Software Solutions is a
web-based payroll solution for accounting professionals
that can be used to service clients of all sizes. Designed for easy use, Crest Payroll does not require any formal training to
process payroll. The application is currently undergoing significant interface and feature upgrades, and the next
generation solution should be available to users in the upcoming months. Except where specified, the review focuses on
the current generation offering.
Strengths
Website integration feature, included employee portals & firm-specific branding makes even the smallest firm appears
more professional. Custom batches of reports can be created & run at scheduled times & exported to different tabs in
an Excel workbook file. Clients & remote offices can collaborate by entering data directly into the website or by entering
data into a provided Excel sheet, which can be imported into the program. Supports wholesale payroll (accounting firm
re-bills to client) or direct bill relationships with accountant involvement.
BASIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS:
Crest Payroll is a web-based solution and may be accessed through most modern Internet browsers. Management has
indicated that all data captured within the system is maintained in a secure, offsite location. The user sign-in process
includes the user’s defined role (accountant, client or employee), an email user ID, password and a challenge text field.
Navigation is done through logically categorized tabs at the top of the screen with additional options on the left part of
the screen.
Crest Payroll opens to a dashboard view, which allows for the addition of new companies and details the status of any
upcoming or outstanding payroll runs. Users may also initiate wizards to guide through the setup process for adding
companies or employees. Integration with outside services, such as social network feeds, news and stock quote
information will be added in the upcoming product revision.
Crest Payroll has programmed payroll to be a three-step process within the system. Users enter or import time, review
ending results and end with processing the payroll. After these three steps are completed, Crest Payroll processes any

2. necessary remaining items, including paying benefit providers and garnishments. Users may export current payroll data-
entry screens to Microsoft Excel, which may then be forwarded to clients to populate and return. This data may then be
imported into Crest Payroll to alleviate any data entry. As an alternative, employees may enter time through the
employee portal, which integrates directly to the payroll entry screens. Each employee can have an unlimited number of
earning and deduction codes, as well as have payroll costs assigned to locations and departments. Direct deposit is
included and allows paychecks to be allocated to two separate accounts.
Crest Payroll offers human resource (HR) features, as well. Many of these features are the same as used by large
enterprises, but are scaled to fit smaller businesses. All features may be accessed by the employee or client, and the HR
features are not designed for collaborative use by the accounting professional. Functionality within the HR features
includes expense reimbursement requests, timekeeping and time off requests. Clients may also store employee
handbooks, safety and policy manuals, and other compliance documents. Paramount plans to incorporate electronic
signature by employees to note the receipt and/or reading of company documents in a future release.
REPORTING & MONITORING:
Upon completion of each payroll run, Crest Payroll processes all payments and compliance reporting on behalf of clients.
Compliance reporting is filed electronically where possible and permitted. All quarterly reports are generated and
archived online and are available at any time.
A number of native reports are offered in a variety of categories. Each report can be filtered based upon various
company setup options. Users can also create and save fully customized reports from within the application. Any report
can be added to a group, allowing multiple reports to be run at the same time. These groupings can also be exported to
Excel, with each report represented on a separate tab within the workbook. A newly added feature includes the ability
to email a report or group of reports to clients at set time intervals. All reports can be branded with the accounting
professional’s name and logo and exported to Excel, PDF, HTML and numerous image file formats.
INTEGRATION/IMPORT & EXPORT:
Crest Payroll integrates directly with other products within the Paramount Software Solution lineup, such as the eVault
365 document management system, its Meridian MSP recruiting management solution, the Summit DMS service
management tool, as and the included employee portal. Direct integration is provided for QuickBooks. Other accounting
general ledger and timekeeping solutions may integrate through importing and exporting CSV and Excel files as
appropriate.
HELP & SUPPORT:
Crest Payroll offers a variety of Help and support options. On-screen Help is available on each data-entry and reporting
screen and explains each feature and field listed on that page. A searchable knowledgebase and frequently asked
question section is available through the Paramount Software Solution website. Live chat, email and phone support are
also available, and all Help and support options are included in the system pricing.

3. CLIENT SELF-SERVICE FEATURES:
Crest Payroll offers industry leading integration with existing firm websites. Each firm website may provide direct access
to a firm-branded version of the Crest Payroll service directly through its website. Tools inside Crest Payroll allow for
custom color schemes to be selected to better match the firm website design, as well. Sign-in security certification is
provided through the Crest Payroll service and is extended to the accounting professional at no charge. These features
allow the accounting professional to maintain a professional appearance. Crest Payroll provides an employee portal,
through which employees have the ability to electronically view and modify their existing W-4 information, which is
directly linked to the subsequent payroll upon approval from supervisors. Employees may also view current and past pay
stubs, view complete pay history, submit time off requests and submit expense reimbursements along with a supporting
image or PDF file attachment.
SUMMARY & PRICING
With a user friendly and flexible interface as well as the ability to brand web views and reports with firm name and logo,
Crest Payroll provides a number of service offerings in one easy-to-use package. Client billing can be accomplished by
automatically drafting client bank accounts. Pricing is all-inclusive and is a flat fee regardless of features used or the
number of states. Base pricing for each client file starts at $17 per month with a tiered discount pricing model based on
the number of clients and average number of employees within those clients.
2011 Overall Rating: