Payroll Services
Description
This U.S. industry comprises establishments (except offices of CPAs) engaged in the following without also providing accounting, bookkeeping, or billing services: (1) collecting information on hours worked, pay rates, deductions, and other payroll-related data from their clients and (2) using that information to generate paychecks, payroll reports, and tax filings. These establishments may use data processing and tabulating techniques as part of providing their services.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector comprises establishments that specialize in performing professional, scientific, and technical activities for others. These activities require a high degree of expertise and training. The establishments in this sector specialize according to expertise and provide these services to clients in a variety of industries and, in some cases, to households. Activities performed include: legal advice and representation; accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll services; architectural, engineering, and specialized design services; computer services; consulting services; research services; advertising services; photographic services; translation and interpretation services; veterinary services; and other professional, scientific, and technical services. This sector excludes establishments primarily engaged in providing a range of day-to-day office administrative services, such as financial planning, billing and recordkeeping, personnel supply, and physical distribution and logistics. These establishments are classified in Sector 56, Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services. |
| 541 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services subsector group establishments engaged in processes where human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis, where an individual or team is responsible for the delivery of services to the client. The individual industries of this subsector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the services provider. The distinguishing feature of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services subsector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. Thus, the establishments classified in this subsector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires degrees, though not in every case. |
| 5412 | Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services 4-digit industry group | Industries in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services subsector group establishments engaged in processes where human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis, where an individual or team is responsible for the delivery of services to the client. The individual industries of this subsector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the services provider. The distinguishing feature of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services subsector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. Thus, the establishments classified in this subsector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires degrees, though not in every case. |
| 54121 | Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services 5-digit NAICS industry | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing services, such as auditing of accounting records, designing accounting systems, preparing financial statements, developing budgets, preparing tax returns, processing payrolls, bookkeeping, and billing. Illustrative Examples: Accountants' offices Payroll processing services Bookkeeping services Tax return preparation services |
| 541214 | Payroll Services 6-digit U.S. detail | This U.S. industry comprises establishments (except offices of CPAs) engaged in the following without also providing accounting, bookkeeping, or billing services: (1) collecting information on hours worked, pay rates, deductions, and other payroll-related data from their clients and (2) using that information to generate paychecks, payroll reports, and tax filings. These establishments may use data processing and tabulating techniques as part of providing their services. |
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Classification References
- 01Establishments of CPAs are classified in U.S. Industry 541211, Offices of Certified Public Accountants;
- 02Establishments of non-CPAs providing tax return preparation services only are classified in U.S. Industry 541213, Tax Preparation Services;
- 03Establishments of non-CPAs providing accounting, bookkeeping, or billing services along with payroll services are classified in U.S. Industry 541219, Other Accounting Services;
- 04Establishments primarily engaged in processing financial transactions (except central bank) are classified in Industry 522320, Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities; and
- 05Establishments primarily engaged in providing data processing services (except payroll processing services and financial transaction processing services) at their own facility for others are classified in Industry 518210, Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services.
Index Items
Motion picture production payroll services
Payroll processing services
Talent payment services
How Item Can Help
Advanced analytics tools identify trends in payment delays and regulatory compliance needs, allowing businesses to proactively adjust their payroll workflows and reduce errors.
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 541214.
American Management Association
A leading trade association offering resources and networking for payroll service providers.
US Small Business Administration
A US government directory listing small businesses, including payroll service companies, by region.
National Association of Payroll Companies
An industry association dedicated to supporting employers with payroll compliance and benefits administration.
