BACK OFFICE NEEDS:
TO STAFF OR TO OUTSOURCE?
T
2016 Issue 2 |
THE
SCORE
42
his is one of the many questions business owners debate
at one point or another, and the solution will vary based
on each organization’s needs and resources. Whether
you’ve been in business for more than 30 years, or are just
starting out, any change in your organization is a good time
to take a step back and examine your needs, resources and
options. You may want to re-evaluate your back office functions
if you:
• Experience staff turnover
• Purchase restaurants in a new state
• Feel your current needs aren’t being met
• Want to streamline your back office functions
• Keep thinking you want to go paperless but don’t know
where or how to start
Let’s say you perform your back office functions in-house.
That means you’ll need software to perform your payroll, bill
payment, accounting, financial reporting, human resources and
document management functions, for which there are myriad
solutions available in today’s market. And if you decide to
outsource, you’ll need to find a provider to perform the services
you need.
How do you decide which option is best for you? The
following are some factors to consider:
COST
This may be difficult to compare because not all systems
or providers have the same pricing structures. Ask detailed
questions to uncover hidden costs, including any equipment or
software you may be required to purchase. When considering
your in-house costs, staff salaries and benefits are likely the
largest chunk of your expenses. Remember to factor in equipment, software upgrades and maintenance as well.
YOUR NEEDS
How many birds are you trying to knock out with this
stone? More and more businesses are looking for an all-inone solution, particularly for their payroll and HR needs.
Health insurance, ACA reporting, WOTC (Work Opportunity
Tax Credit), electronic on-boarding, pay cards and document
management are all hot buttons in the restaurant industry
right now – not to mention your accounting, reporting and bill
payment needs. It’s rare to find one solution that will do it all, so
finding one that integrates with other functions is key.
YOUR STAFF
Your current staffing situation may be one of the most
important factors in your decision. If you already employ