Payroll Companies & Payroll Services in Kennebunk, ME

Paper Trails is a payroll and human resources firm based in Kennebunk, Maine. It has been in business since 2004 and works mainly with small and growing employers in Maine and the rest of New England. The company offers payroll processing, HR advice and compliance support from one source. Clients use one technology platform, and a local team provides the service, so businesses don't have to deal with a remote call center.

Payroll and Tax Services

Paper Trails' main offering is full-service payroll. It covers every kind of worker: hourly, salaried, tipped, and staff who hold more than one position. The system handles blended overtime when an employee works at different rates. It also applies shift differentials for nights or weekends and assigns labor costs to the right department or job.

The firm calculates, deposits and files federal, state and local payroll taxes for its clients. That includes quarterly returns and year-end W-2 and 1099 forms, and owners or their accountants can pull audit-ready reports. Employers that bid on public contracts can get certified payroll with prevailing wage tracking.

S-corporation clients get help with owner pay, such as setting reasonable compensation and reporting shareholder health insurance correctly.

Platform and Add-On Modules

The software runs on isolved and is set up as one connected system that covers employees from hiring through retirement. On top of payroll, clients can add:

• Applicant tracking through isolved Hire
• New hire onboarding and offboarding
• Time, attendance and scheduling
• Benefits enrollment and carrier administration
• Employee expense reimbursement
• A learning management system for training
• Performance reviews, goals and feedback
• Workplace giving and volunteer programs

HR Consulting and Compliance

Paper Trails also has local HR consultants. They can act as a part-time HR department or take on individual projects. A starter package includes an HR audit, a custom employee handbook, a review of job descriptions and onboarding checklists.

A monthly advisory tier adds multi-state handbook updates, annual I-9 and personnel file audits, training setup and a set number of project hours each year. Hourly custom work can include recruiting, leadership coaching, terminations, workplace investigations and salary benchmarking. The compliance team keeps clients informed about wage and hour rules and worker classification.

It also covers Maine-specific programs such as Paid Family and Medical Leave and Earned Paid Leave.

Industries and Client Sizes

The firm has experience in many industries. These include restaurants and hospitality, where it handles tip pooling and FICA tip credits, and municipalities with union and department rules. It also serves healthcare, manufacturing, landscaping, construction, financial and professional services, cannabis, and car dealerships that mix commission, flat-rate and hourly pay.

Schools are on the list too, where staff are paid on different academic calendars. Its clients range from very small companies to large organizations with many departments. It also works with accountants, benefit brokers, workers' comp carriers and investment advisors.

The company stands out mainly for its service model. Each client has one dedicated payroll contact who knows the business and helps with setup and day-to-day questions. Paper Trails also runs monthly webinars on payroll, HR and compliance and produces a podcast for small business owners. Buyers who want a Maine-based provider with personal support may find it a good fit.