Payroll & Compliance

    Accurate payroll, on-time filings, and full compliance support, so you can pay your team with confidence.

    Small business payroll and accountant payroll support serving Denver, Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Colorado Springs, and all 50 states.

    • In-house support
    • Tax-compliant payroll
    • Secure onboarding
    • Year-round guidance
    • Multi-state coverage

    Where Payroll Goes Wrong for Small Businesses

    Payroll is the one area where a small administrative miss turns directly into a penalty notice, and the notice usually arrives long after the mistake.

    Filing deadlines do not wait

    Payroll tax deposits and quarterly returns run on their own calendar. A missed date creates penalties and interest that no later payment removes.

    Worker classification is easy to get wrong

    Treating a worker as a contractor when the relationship looks like employment creates back-tax exposure that surfaces years later.

    Multiple states multiply the rules

    Each state has its own withholding registration, unemployment insurance account, and filing cadence for remote employees.

    What Our Payroll Services Include

    Processing, filings, and year-end forms handled by the same team that maintains your books.

    Payroll processing support

    Pay runs coordinated on your schedule, with wages, withholdings, and direct deposit reviewed before each cycle.

    Payroll tax filing

    Federal, state, and local payroll tax deposits and returns prepared and filed on the required schedule.

    W-2 and 1099 preparation

    Year-end forms prepared, reconciled to the payroll records, and distributed to employees and contractors.

    Payroll system setup

    Payroll software configured for your pay periods, departments, and benefit deductions, including migration from an existing provider.

    Multi-state payroll compliance

    State withholding and unemployment registrations handled where your employees actually work.

    Contractor compliance support

    Contractor onboarding documentation and reporting kept in order so classification is defensible.

    Free consultation to review your current payroll setup and filings.

    Why Payroll Compliance Matters

    Payroll isn't just about cutting checks, it's about staying compliant, protecting your business, and keeping accurate records.

    Payroll errors trigger penalties quickly

    Late deposits, incorrect withholdings, or missed filings can result in IRS penalties that add up fast.

    Proper withholding protects owners

    Getting payroll taxes wrong can create personal liability for business owners, even in an LLC or corporation.

    Clean payroll integrates with your books

    Accurate payroll journals flow into bookkeeping and tax prep, making year-end easier and more accurate.

    The right setup saves time

    A properly configured payroll system runs smoothly every pay period with minimal intervention.

    Payroll Giving You Headaches?

    You shouldn't have to worry about missed filings or compliance issues. We make payroll simple, so you can focus on your team.

    Payroll Services

    Complete payroll support from setup to year-end, processing, compliance, and integration with your books.

    Payroll Processing & Support

    • Employee Payroll Processing Support

      Accurate processing for every pay period

    • Pay Schedule Setup

      Weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly options

    • Direct Deposit Coordination

      Set up and manage direct deposit for employees

    • PTO and Deduction Tracking Support

      Track time off, benefits, and deductions

    • Multi-Location or Department Payroll Tracking

      Segment payroll by location, department, or project

    Payroll Tax Filings & Compliance

    • Federal Payroll Tax Filing Support

      Forms 941 (quarterly) and 940 (annual) filings

    • State Withholding and Unemployment Setup

      State tax registrations and filings

    • Local Payroll Tax Compliance

      City and county taxes where applicable

    • New Employer Registration Guidance

      Federal and state employer accounts

    • On-Time Deposit Scheduling Support

      Avoid penalties with timely tax deposits

    Year-End & Worker Reporting

    • W-2 Preparation & Filing Coordination

      Annual employee wage statements

    • W-3 Summary Filing

      Transmittal of wage and tax statements to SSA

    • 1099 Contractor Reporting Support

      1099-NEC forms for independent contractors

    • Worker Classification Guidance

      Employee vs. contractor determination support

    Payroll Setup & System Integration

    Business Owner & S-Corp Payroll Strategy

    Ongoing Support & Cleanup

    We don't just run payroll, we help it's compliant, properly recorded, and integrated with your financials.

    Who We Help

    From first employee to multi-state payroll, we help you stay compliant.

    Contractors & Trades

    Certified payroll, job costing, multi-state crews

    Restaurants & Hospitality

    Tip reporting, varying schedules, seasonal staff

    Professional Services Firms

    Salaried employees, bonuses, partner distributions

    Medical Practices

    Benefits coordination, multiple locations

    Startups and Growing Teams

    First-employee setup, equity considerations

    Multi-State Employers

    State registrations, remote employee compliance

    Your Payroll Support Team

    Our payroll specialists handle the details, filings, compliance, year-end forms, so you never have to worry about penalties or missed deadlines.

    Management professional at Centennial Accounting Group
    Management
    Tax accountant at Centennial Accounting Group
    Tax Accountant
    Senior accountant at Centennial Accounting Group
    Accountant

    "We treat every client like they're our only client."

    Meet Your Payroll Team

    How Payroll Works With Us

    A clear process from setup to year-end, with support at every step.

    1

    Payroll Setup + Employer Registrations

    We configure your payroll system, register with federal and state agencies, and set up employee records.

    2

    Run Payroll + Tax Filing Support

    Process payroll each period with accurate withholdings, deposits, and quarterly tax filings.

    3

    Year-End Forms + Ongoing Compliance

    W-2s, 1099s, and annual filings, plus ongoing support for notices, audits, or changes.

    Most businesses can be onboarded within 1 week depending on payroll provider access.

    How Payroll Onboarding Works

    Four steps from first call to your first processed pay run.
    1. Step 1

      Schedule a free consultation

      Walk through your headcount, pay schedule, states, and current payroll provider in about 20 minutes.

    2. Step 2

      Review your current payroll records

      We check filings, registrations, and classifications to find any gaps before they turn into notices.

    3. Step 3

      Receive a tailored payroll plan

      Scope, pay-run calendar, and fee confirmed in writing, including any cleanup of prior periods.

    4. Step 4

      Begin ongoing payroll support

      Pay runs, deposits, and filings handled each period, with year-end forms prepared on schedule.

    Most transitions are timed to a quarter boundary to keep filings clean.

    Why Businesses Choose Us for Payroll

    Payroll tied to your books

    Payroll entries flow into the same ledger our accounting team maintains, so wages and liabilities always reconcile.

    Deadline ownership

    Deposits and quarterly returns are tracked by our team rather than left on your calendar.

    Multi-state experience

    Registrations and filings handled across state lines for remote and distributed teams.

    A person to call

    Payroll questions go to a specialist who knows your account, not a general support queue.

    What Payroll Clients Say

    "I've been working with Centennial Accounting Group for over 8 years. This firm has always taken care of me. They have great prices, I trust them and I have recommended them to all my friends and family. Thank you!"
    Sam SalmanOwner, Five Stars Mechanical

    Payroll is handled in house by our Denver team and reconciled against the same ledger our accounting and tax professionals work from.

    Read more client reviews

    What You'll Need to Get Started

    Gather these items for your payroll consultation. Don't have everything? We'll help you figure it out.

    • Legal business name + EIN
    • State(s) where employees work
    • Payroll history (if switching providers)
    • Employee details (pay rate, start date, withholding forms)
    • Benefits or deductions information (if applicable)
    • Access to bookkeeping/accounting software

    We'll send a secure checklist and intake form after your initial consultation.

    Payroll FAQs

    Common questions about payroll services, tax filings, and compliance.

    Denver payroll services

    Payroll for Denver and the Colorado Front Range

    Full-service payroll for Denver-area employers, including Colorado withholding, unemployment insurance, FAMLI, and Denver Occupational Privilege Tax. Direct deposit, tax filings, and year-end W-2s all handled locally.

    Local response: Colorado + Denver-specific payroll tax filings included.

    Denver Metro Cities Served

    • Denver
    • Aurora
    • Lakewood
    • Centennial
    • Englewood
    • Littleton
    • Arvada
    • Westminster
    • Thornton
    • Wheat Ridge
    • Golden
    • Highlands Ranch

    Front Range Cities Served

    Headquartered at 3773 Cherry Creek N Dr, West Tower Suite 630, Denver, CO 80209 · Serving the entire Denver metro, Colorado Front Range, and all 50 states remotely.

    Payroll Doesn't Have to Be Stressful

    Let our team handle payroll compliance so you can focus on running your business.

    Schedule a Free Payroll ConsultationCall (720) 603-9700
    Headquartered in Denver, CO, supporting payroll in all 50 states

    Important disclosure about government services

    Centennial Accounting Group is a private accounting firm, not a government agency, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the IRS, the Colorado Department of Revenue, or the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Employer registrations and payroll tax accounts can be set up directly with those agencies at no charge. Our fees cover our professional payroll processing and compliance services only.

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