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QuickBooks 4 Contractors blog

QuickBooks for Contractors blog

  • There is so much news and information floating around the web – it’s difficult (at best) to keep up! I’ve added a WordPress plug-in that grabs information from my Twitter stream to help me (and hopefully you as well) keep up with everything. Look for the Weekly Wrap-Up: News You Can Use every Friday. See what caught my attention this week in these topics: Accounting & Taxes, eBooks/Webinars/Videos, Payroll/Certified Payroll/Prevailing Wage, QuickBooks, Small Business/Organization/Productivity, Construction, and Social Media/Marketing/Website Design.

  • Entering payroll for normal employee work hours and drive time and passing only the work hours through to client invoices is not only important but confusing. The following question was submitted by a reader who pays from the start of the first job till the end of the last job of the day (not including lunch break). I have my employees fill out a time tracker sheet each day that shows the time started at the first job till the end, drive time in between jobs, so on and so forth. I enter this into QuickBooks but I can't figure out where to enter in drive time to pay the girls their hourly wage on payroll but to not invoice anyone for drive time.

  • Can you deduct the cost of lost equipment from your employee’s pay? As a business owner I'm betting that on more than one occasion you have had an employee who has lost his company provided cell phone more than once and you've have to replace it. Perhaps you want to recover the cost of the phone via a payroll deduction - before you do, read the rest of this article, because the answer depends first on state and federal restrictions and second on how much you want to deduct.

  • There is so much news and information floating around the web – it’s difficult (at best) to keep up! I’ve added a WordPress plug-in that grabs information from my Twitter stream to help me (and hopefully you as well) keep up with everything. Look for the Weekly Wrap-Up: News You Can Use every Friday. See what's in store this week!

  • An important QuickBooks Payroll System Maintenance Announcement - a system-wide upgrade will start at 6 p.m. on Thursday 5/24/2012 and continue through 5 a.m. on Tuesday 5/29/2012 - Direct Deposit will also be effected and don't forget that this is also the Memorial Day holiday weekend! QuickBooks Payroll will not process direct deposit checks dated for Monday, May 28, 2012 due to the Memorial Day holiday. In order for your employees to receive their paychecks before Monday, May 28, you should change your paycheck date to Friday, May 25 and send your payroll by 5pm PT on Wednesday, May 23.

Certified Payroll Training

How To Fulfill Your Certified Payroll Reporting Requirements.  Live 2-hour training webinar - $89.00 per person.  Click here for more information.

certified payroll reporting training webinar


  

New QuickBooks Support & Training Website

We've launched a new website specifically for QuickBooks Support & Training.  Visit Learn to Use QuickBooks in your construction business.

Read more...

Certified Payroll Solution Program Updates

This section is used to provide information about general and state specific program updates, how to obtain the update and implement any necessary changes.

 

 


Documents

Order by : Name | Date | Hits [ Ascendant ]

Instructions for the April 2012 New York Certified Payroll Updates Instructions for the April 2012 New York Certified Payroll Updates

Date added: 04/18/2012
Date modified: 04/18/2012
Downloads: 25

This support document contains information about how to set Certified Payroll Solution up to automatically create an electronic certified payroll report, which you can then upload to the New York Department of Transportation's Equitable Business Opportunity (EBO) system.

Instructions for Setting Up the Florida DOT forms Instructions for Setting Up the Florida DOT forms

Date added: 02/15/2012
Date modified: 02/15/2012
Downloads: 78

This document will walk you through the setup of Certified Payroll Solution in order to generate the Florida Department of Transportation {DOT} Wage and Hour Record, along with the accompanying Deduction and Fringe Benefit Records.

Add Check Numbers, Race, Gender or Totals to the WH-347 form Add Check Numbers, Race, Gender or Totals to the WH-347 form

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Date added: 02/15/2012
Date modified: 02/15/2012
Downloads: 116

This support article will provide you with instructions for how to add Check Numbers, Race, Gender, and Totals to the Federal WH-347 form.  It also provides you with complete details on how the totals are calculated.

Illinois Department of Labor Certified Payroll Update Illinois Department of Labor Certified Payroll Update

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Date added: 04/14/2011
Date modified: 04/14/2011
Downloads: 243

The Illinois Department of Labor has recently updated the requirements of their certified payroll report, making it quite complex.  Hourly fringe benefit rates must now be reported and the printed report MUST indicate if the fringe is paid to the Employee or a Union/bona fide plan.  Additionally, according to a Prevailing Wage Auditor that we spoke to, the report must display the total of ALL other hours that the employee worked during the week, whether the hours were on private or other prevailing wage jobs --- even though the actual form makes it look like you would only need to report hours on non-prevailing wage projects.

This document will provide you with instructions on how to set up Certified Payroll Solution to accurately produce the DOL form in addition to the DOT, City of Chicago and the Federal WH-347.

Hawaii Certified Payroll Update Available Hawaii Certified Payroll Update Available

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Date added: 10/05/2009
Date modified: 04/14/2011
Downloads: 333

Hawaii has implemented their own "State Prevailing Wage Laws", effective as of October 1, 2009.  Currently, these requirements consist of two different certified payroll report forms and regulations administered by the State of Hawaii - Department of Accounting & General Services - Public Works Division and the Department of Education.

We have updated Certified Payroll Solution to comply with these new regulations.

New Trial Users/Customers will automatically receive this update within their download.

Existing customers, through a current Annual Maintenance contract, will be able to download this update by starting Certified Payroll Solution and going to the Help menu -> choosing Check for Updates and selecting Version 5.0.382 and clicking download and install twice.  After the program update has been installed, go back to the Help menu -> Check for Updates, and this time, select State of Hawaii forms to obtain the new forms.

Download this document for complete instructions on how to set CPS up to accept these new forms/reporting requirements.

American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Reports Update American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Reports Update

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Date added: 05/12/2009
Date modified: 04/14/2011
Downloads: 282

 

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), provides the State Departments of Transportation and Federal Lands Agencies with $27.5 billion for highway infrastructure investment.

With this money, there also comes an increased level of reporting, which we have added to Certified Payroll Solution to better and more fully serve the needs of our customers who may be working on these types of construction projects.

We have added the ARRA Reports to Certified Payroll Solution to better meet the needs of our customers.

Click the "Download" button to obtain complete details for obtaining the update and setting up CPS, to run these reports.

Alaska Form Updates & Other Changes Alaska Form Updates & Other Changes

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Date added: 04/28/2009
Date modified: 04/14/2011
Downloads: 240

 

Effective 4/28/2009 with version 5.0.340

Washington Certified Payroll Update Washington Certified Payroll Update

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Date added: 04/13/2009
Date modified: 04/14/2011
Downloads: 390

 

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries – Prevailing Wage Program has initiated some changes to both the Certified Payroll Report and the Payroll Affirmation.  These changes will become effective with CPS Version 5.0.332 - which we have released today in BETA format; and is available by starting the CPS program -> going to the Help menu -> choosing Check for Updates.

This is a 2 part update, one for the updated program and the second to obtain the new forms; with a total of 3 possible steps to complete the update successfully.  The following steps will need to be performed on EACH computer where CPS is installed.

For complete instructions on how to update your software, obtain the new forms, AND how to comply with the new reporting mandates - click on the "Download" button below.

Users & Permissions in Certified Payroll Solution Users & Permissions in Certified Payroll Solution

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Date added: 03/04/2009
Date modified: 04/14/2011
Downloads: 334

Setting up Users & Permission within the Certified Payroll Solution program.

Click the Download button (below) for complete instructions on how, to Users, passwords, and permissions.

This feature was first introduced on March 4, 2009, in version 5.0.328

Updating CPS to comply with new WH-347 reporting requirements effective 1/18/09 Updating CPS to comply with new WH-347 reporting requirements effective 1/18/09

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Date added: 01/14/2009
Date modified: 04/14/2011
Downloads: 270

 

Beginning January 18, 2009, the Federal WH-347 certified payroll reporting mandates change, for more information click here.

All current customers should update their Certified Payroll Solution software to Version 5.0.312.

Complete instructions for updating your software, and implementing any necessary change, are contained in this document.  Total time to complete the update and implement changes should be less than 20 minutes.

Important Note:  A last minute "bug" was discovered in the "electronic" certified payroll submission portion of the program.  You will want to download and install Version 5.0.313

Updating CPS to work with a new version of QuickBooks Updating CPS to work with a new version of QuickBooks

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Date added: 09/30/2008
Date modified: 04/14/2011
Downloads: 402

Each year, when Intuit produces a new version of QuickBooks, we have to do a compatibility update for Certified Payroll Solution in order for it to work with the new version.  These compatibility updates are usually available on the same day that the new version of QuickBooks is available to purchase, and we notify you via an email Newsletter that they are available.

Compatibility updates MUST be downloaded and installed on ALL computers that have the CPS program in order for CPS to be able to "talk" with the new version of QuickBooks.  Failure to install compatibility updates will result in an "Unsupported version of QuickBooks detected.  Program ending." error message.

Following these instructions should provide you with a successful upgrade experience, as these are the EXACT same steps that you would be asked to perform by a support rep should you call for help; thus eliminating the call.

2 pages.  PDF format.

CPS & Vista/Upgrading or Replacing Your Existing Computer with a Vista Computer CPS & Vista/Upgrading or Replacing Your Existing Computer with a Vista Computer

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Date added: 09/16/2008
Date modified: 04/14/2011
Downloads: 321

 

We have updated Certified Payroll Solution (CPS) to work with Vista. Our testing and debugging process has basically gone well, with a few exceptions. The known problems are listed in this document, and there are special instructions for updating or replacing your existing Windows XP PC to a Vista PC.

The information provided in this documentation is provided free of charge. Phone support for this, and all other Vista situations, is billable.

10 pages with lots of screenshots. Updated 8/18/08

For some reason we are having issues with this document, for now, please click the VIEW button to open the pdf document.

Note:  We've found some free training courses on Windows Vista, to help you to better understand some of its new features and security improvements.  These courses are offered in conjunction by Dell and PC Magazine and are available by clicking here .

Changing How Social Security Numbers Are Displayed on your final reports Changing How Social Security Numbers Are Displayed on your final reports

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Date added: 05/13/2008
Date modified: 12/19/2011
Downloads: 280

We have had several customers request that social security numbers not be displayed on the final certified payroll reports, and have even heard "rumors", that certain agencies no longer wish to have social security numbers displayed. We have seen NO official documentation to this effect, but feel that this could, indeed, be required in the future.

Follow these easy steps to make your own choice as to how social security numbers are displayed on your reports, keeping in mind, that what you want and what is required, may be two totally different things.

1 page.

Certified Payroll Solution Update Procedure for QuickBooks 2008 Compatibility Certified Payroll Solution Update Procedure for QuickBooks 2008 Compatibility

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Date added: 10/01/2007
Date modified: 04/14/2011
Downloads: 243

 

Recommended instructions for upgrading to a new version of QuickBooks, and obtaining your Certified Payroll Solution Compatibility update. Compatibility updates MUST be downloaded, and installed, in order for CPS to "talk" with the new version of QuickBooks. This information was emailed to all customers in a newsletter dated October 1, 2007.

2 pages.

Obtaining Certified Payroll Solution Updates Obtaining Certified Payroll Solution Updates

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Date added: 08/14/2007
Date modified: 04/14/2011
Downloads: 333

 

Program “bug” fixes are available on the Web Service Center as we correct them, and we do not notify you; however, you may access the Web Service Center, at any time, to see what is available.

Program “enhancements”, such as the release of a compatibility update for a new version of QuickBooks, or the release of an updated certified payroll report, are made available on the Web Service Center, and we do notify you, via email, that “enhancement” updates are available, and what the enhancements are.

As a customer of Sunburst Software Solutions, Inc., it is your responsibility to maintain your program, unlike Intuit and Microsoft, we do not, arbitrarily and automatically, update your software, as we feel that borders on an invasion of your privacy. You are, also, responsible for downloading and installing updates, following the specific instructions for that update, which we provide on the Web Service Center, via email, and here in our Support Area.

7 pages with screenshots.