You’re sitting down for a meeting with your accountant, expecting the usual conversation about budgets and taxes. Instead, they start talking about upgrading your payroll system, streamlining your benefits administration or adopting new human resources (HR) technology. It might seem unusual, but accountants are stepping into a new, valuable role—and it’s a terrific fit.

Today's accountants are strategic partners in business success. They’ve always been trusted advisors, helping businesses navigate tricky financial and compliance challenges. Now, they’re applying that same skill and care to your HR and payroll processes. And honestly, who better? After all, payroll and benefits are deeply tied to your company's finances and compliance needs—areas your accountant already understands inside out.

Given how deeply intertwined payroll, benefits and HR processes are with financial management and regulatory compliance, accountants are well positioned to provide guidance. They understand your financial ecosystem and compliance requirements, so they can identify where software and services could benefit your bottom line.

Think about the complexities you face every day—critical areas like the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting, payroll and taxes—just to name a few. Accountants are pros at handling these intricacies. Your accountant sees firsthand how these processes affect your business, so recommending solutions that automate compliance and reduce risk is a logical next step. In fact, our "Advisory Services Research Report" found 72% of accounting firms already work closely with third-party administrators in some capacity for benefits and compliance support. What’s more, isolved is among the top three human capital management (HCM) vendors recommended.

We recently spoke with an accountant who explained how excited she was to introduce clients to modern HR technology. She told us, “The evolution of our role into HR and payroll advisory makes complete financial sense to me. When accountants examine a business's financial health, they are already analyzing how payroll expenses, benefits costs and compliance requirements impact their bottom line. So, by extending our expertise to also recommend HR technology solutions, we are helping clients create a more seamless connection between their HCM and their financial systems.”

 Consider payroll inaccuracies. They’re frustrating, expensive and surprisingly common. isolved’s "Elevating HR in the Age of AI Report" found reducing payroll mistakes remains a top challenge for many HR teams. Your accountant knows how costly these errors can be. By suggesting integrated HR technology, they’re helping you not just stay compliant but also eliminate costly mistakes and redundancies.

The benefits of following your accountant’s advice extend even further than that, helping to strengthen your organization as a whole. HCM technology helps:

• Empower HR teams to be more strategic
• Improve engagement and retention
• Reduce manual administrative tasks
• Minimize the risk of human error
• Support and develop workforces

Better technology helps both you and your accountant. When HR is freed from manual tasks, they can spend their days supporting and developing your workforce—ultimately contributing to the long-term success and growth of your business. For your accountant, it means clearer, more accurate financial data, streamlined reporting and reduced compliance risks. This frees up their time to focus on strategic advice and in-depth financial planning, enhancing their value as your trusted business advisor.

Engaging proactively with your accountant can transform their recommendations into actionable strategies. Try asking your accountant specific questions about compliance issues they see within your organization or the financial analytics around your HR processes. Collaborating closely with your accountant creates alignment between your HR and financial objectives, making your business operations smoother and more cohesive.

Finally, as your accountant moves into this expanded role, welcome their guidance as you would any trusted advisor. Recognize they’re leveraging their financial insight to help you make smarter, more informed decisions that positively impact every corner of your business.

So, the next time your accountant brings up payroll, benefits or HR tech, give them your full attention. They’re probably about to make your life—and your business—a lot simpler.

Why is a trusted HR partner key for business success? Discover how to find and work with a reliable partner for your strategic HR needs here. 

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