See What’s New: We’ve Taken Our Cloud Payroll Software to New Heights

Over the past 12 years, we’ve seen BrightPay grow and transform to become one of the leading payroll software in the UK. Last year, for the 23/24 tax year, Bright launched our fully cloud-based payroll software, BrightPay. The development of our fully cloud-based version of BrightPay is one of our biggest milestones to date.

Since the launch, we’ve seen customers move their payroll to BrightPay’s cloud-based software, reflecting a growing trend of businesses moving their processes to the cloud. Our cloud-based software offers enhanced capabilities not available in the desktop version, including real-time changes, multi-user accessibility, multiple pay schedules, and the ability to process payroll from an internet browser.

BrightPay has been continuously evolving over the past 12 months, with regular feature updates to enhance user experience and productivity. Continue reading below to learn about the features that have been added to the software since its launch and what features are on our roadmap.

Features of our cloud payroll software

1. Payroll journals

BrightPay has direct API integration with 8 different accounting software providers, allowing you to easily send your payroll journals to your accounting software, in just a few clicks.

BrightPay is integrated with the following accounting software providers:

• Xero

• Sage Business Cloud Accounting

• Quickbooks (Online)

• FreeAgent

• ClearBooks

• Kashflow

• QuickFile

• Zoho Books

The software also allows you to export your payroll journal as a CSV file, for easy upload to your bookkeeping software. You can export files in formats suitable for the following providers:

• Kashflow

• Quickbooks (Desktop version)

• Sage Accounts

• Xero

2. Batch payroll processing functionality

For bureau users, from the main dashboard, you have the ability to perform tasks for multiple employers at the same time. You can select all employers, or you can select certain employers, and in batches you can:

• Finalise any currently open pay periods

• Check for PAYE coding notices

• Send any outstanding RTI submissions

This feature is particularly handy when you have a number of single director payrolls or clients whose payroll doesn’t change each period.

3. Automatic payslip distribution

Payslips can be emailed, printed or exported as a PDF. Payslips can also be made automatically available for employees through an employee self-service portal, once the payroll has been finalised.

4. Import / update employees with CSV or FPS files

When you upgrade to our cloud payroll software, you won’t need to manually enter employee details. You can simply import and update employees using a CSV or FPS file, getting you set up in no time.

5. Import pay records

Import pay records for hassle-free payroll, including payments, additions, deductions and more. Save time, whether you’re migrating from a different system or simply looking to streamline your processes.

6. Check for and download coding notices

You can now streamline your payroll process by searching for and downloading coding notices directly within the payroll software. This helps to make sure the payroll is always accurate.

7. Search for employers and employees

BrightPay’s search facility allows you to search for organisations, employers and employees within the software. This feature will be expanded on in the future.

8. Integration with payment platform Modulr

BrightPay is integrated with payment platform, Modulr. This means that you have the ability to pay employees and HMRC directly through BrightPay. Payments can be made 24/7, 365 days a year, and payments will land in employees’ bank accounts on the same day. This helps ensure employees are always paid on time and helps avoid payroll errors.

New features coming soon:

We also have some new features which will be made live in BrightPay’s cloud-based payroll software in the coming weeks. They include:

• Employees will have the ability to request time off through the Employee Self-Service Portal. This request will then be sent to a “manager’s portal”. A manager can be assigned to an employee to look after any annual leave requests from that employee as well as view a calendar of employees’ past and upcoming leave. Once the leave request has been approved by the manager, the annual leave will automatically flow through to the payroll software.

• Employees can view the personal information their employer has on file for them through the Employee Self-Service Portal. This is a read-only feature at the moment, but in the next few weeks, functionality will be added that will allow employees to request updates to be made to their personal information, such as updating a phone number or home address.

• There is no extra charge for the Employee Self-Service Portal.

What’s next?

Our commitment to innovation and excellence drives us to constantly enhance our cloud payroll software. We aim to cement our position as a top choice in the cloud payroll software market by delivering software that meets and exceeds the diverse needs of payroll processors across the UK. So, stay tuned for further updates!

This content may have been developed with the assistance of AI tools. Content is reviewed by a member of the Bright team before publication. Guidance on legislation can be obtained from your industry body.