Other bureaus initiate automated clearing house (ACH) transactions from the client, and remit payment either electronically or in the form of paper checks against the bureau's holding account.
Because local bureaus tend to only a very narrow geographic area and often see themselves as competing together against the nationwide giants rather than one another, they often band together and form alliances and trade associations whereby they share expertise and consolidate their negotiating power with their vendors.
Local bureaus vary in their ability to accommodate special needs, they also add a level of service that can be lost in the national arena.
The existence of single-industry financial bureaus is dependent on the finance complexities of the industry itself and the desire or need to handle unique requirements.
Companies should always perform their due diligence when selecting a bureau and compare both traditional providers along with those who focus on their industry.
[2] Annual changes in tax codes, PAYE and National Insurance bands as well as more and more statutory payments and deductions having to go through the finance often mean there is a lot to keep abreast of in order to maintain compliance with the current legislation.
Bureau software is created for finance professionals and has one purpose: to mass-produce accurate financials for many companies simultaneously.
Clients generally have a low tolerance for errors because finance is a high-dollar affair that can become expensive when mistakes are made - and this may be a motivation not to simply switch from one software package to another.