Payroll Companies & Payroll Services in Washington, IL

Overview

Phillips, Salmi + Associates, LLC, known online as PSA CPA, is a certified public accounting firm based in Washington, Illinois, a short drive east of Peoria. It also has a second office in Springfield. Aaron Phillips and Lori Salmi started the practice in June 2010, and both still lead it as managing members. The firm works with individuals and with companies of every size and legal structure across Central Illinois, and it names Peoria among the communities it serves.

Payroll and Business Services

For employers comparing payroll providers, the relevant offering is the firm's small business services line, which combines payroll with bookkeeping and general accounting. PSA CPA does not sell a standalone payroll software product.

Instead, it treats payroll as one part of a broader outsourced finance function, so the team that handles pay can also keep the ledger current and prepare the company's tax returns. The website does not list detailed payroll features such as pay frequencies or filing schedules, so prospective clients should ask about these during an initial consultation.

The firm's advisory work also covers decisions related to payroll, including how owners should pay themselves and which employee benefits plan fits a company's budget.

• Payroll support as part of small business services
• Bookkeeping and business accounting
• Individual and business tax preparation
• Tax and business advisory, including entity selection
• Guidance on owner compensation and benefits plans
• Audits and assurance engagements

How the Firm Works With Clients

The partners describe their approach as individualized. New engagements start with questions about the client's operations, goals and concerns. The firm then puts together a tailored set of services and revises it as the business grows or changes entity type. Engagements can be brief or ongoing. Clients can reach staff year-round by phone or email or arrange in-person meetings.

The firm will also coordinate with an existing outside accountant or bookkeeper, for example to clean up records. Because the practice is relatively small, clients usually deal directly with the people handling their work. A secure online portal is available for exchanging documents.

The firm also puts weight on client education, with the aim of helping owners understand their finances well enough to speak confidently with lenders and investors.

Industries and Credentials

PSA CPA reports serving more than 30 industries and types of organizations. These include automotive services, construction contractors, manufacturers, healthcare providers, retail and food and beverage businesses, professional service firms, environmental services, charities, foundations, municipalities and public school districts. The firm belongs to the AICPA's private company practice and not-for-profit sections and to the Government Audit Quality Center. It states that it has earned the top peer review rating for the quality control system covering its accounting and auditing work.

The team includes CPAs along with a small business consultant, a small business specialist, tax and audit managers, a tax specialist and a client relations specialist. The firm suits Peoria-area employers who want payroll handled by the same accountants who manage their books and taxes, rather than by a payroll-only vendor.