Payroll. It sounds simple enough until you’re knee-deep in spreadsheets, puzzling over tax codes while wondering if you accidentally paid your intern the same amount as your CEO.
If you’re running a creative business, chances are payroll wasn’t what inspired you to launch it in the first place. But getting it right matters. Really matters. That’s where knowing when to outsource payroll becomes your backstage pass to more time, fewer headaches and a smoother business groove. Spoiler alert: it’s probably sooner than you think.
Let’s untangle this payroll party and help you figure out the best time to hand it off to the pros.
So, when exactly is the right time? Great question. The answer? The moment payroll starts making you sweat. If you’ve ever lost a morning trying to calculate National Insurance or googled “what even is a P60?” while clutching a cup of cold coffee, it’s time to consider outsourcing.
Maybe your team is growing faster than your ability to keep up. Or maybe you’re just over spending your weekends manually updating payslips. The earlier you bring in support, the more confident and efficient your payroll process becomes.
You’re not just paying people. You’re juggling compliance, too. Payroll is more than sending money to your team. It’s making sure tax, pensions, benefits and all the alphabet soup of regulations are taken care of. Mess it up and it’s not just awkward—it’s potentially costly.
And no one wants an angry HMRC letter arriving like an unwanted plot twist. That’s why many businesses, especially those in the creative space, turn to creative accountants (First use!). We get your vibe, we understand your business model and we speak fluent finance without making it feel like a lecture.
Signs it’s time to outsource Still unsure? Here’s a little cheat sheet:
- You’re spending more time on payroll than actual client work
- You keep making tiny mistakes that snowball into big issues
- You want to scale but worry payroll will implode
- You’ve hired your first employee and suddenly feel like you need a law degree
- You’d rather do literally anything else
If you’re ticking even one of those boxes, you’re in prime outsourcing territory.
Why creatives benefit more than most Creative businesses often have flexible teams—freelancers, contractors, part-timers and the occasional full-time unicorn. Keeping track of who gets what, when and how is more complicated than a Christopher Nolan film. That’s where creative industry accountants (First use!) really shine.
We know how to tailor payroll systems to fit your unique rhythm. Whether you’re paying a rotating cast of talent or scaling up a permanent team, we make sure the financial side flows like your favourite playlist.
The perks of letting go (of payroll, not your dreams) Outsourcing payroll doesn’t just save you time. It gives you clarity, consistency and peace of mind. You know things are being done right. Deadlines are met. Payments go out on time. Your team stays happy. And you? You get to do more of what you love without the background stress.
The best part? With creative industry accountants (Second use!), you’re not just getting help—you’re getting specialists who understand the creative world. We won’t ask why your assistant is paid in three currencies or judge your expenses from that weird music video shoot.
Let’s be real—this stuff isn’t fun. But we are. There’s no joy in manually inputting timesheets or wondering if you filed RTI submissions correctly. There is joy in having a team that handles it all with accuracy, speed and maybe a few laughs along the way.
That’s what you get with creative accountants (Second use!). Not just experts with calculators but real people who enjoy untangling this stuff so you don’t have to. Want to see what that looks like? Head over to our accountants for creatives page. We’ve made payroll pain-free for businesses just like yours.
Ready to drop the payroll pressure? If payroll has become the side hustle you never wanted, it’s time to let it go. Outsourcing to someone who gets you—and loves the stuff you loathe—is a total game changer. Whether you’re new to hiring or knee-deep in payslips, we’ve got your back. Visit Raedan and discover how easy payroll can be when the right team is behind you.