There’s a good chance you’ve considered switching payroll providers at some point. Maybe your current service is declining, mistakes are happening more often, or perhaps you’ve outgrown what they can offer. But then the doubts creep in, and suddenly staying put feels safer than making a move.
The truth is that most of the reasons people don’t switch payroll providers aren’t based on reality. They’re based on myths – stories we tell ourselves about what might go wrong, rather than what actually happens when you work with the right provider.
Myth #1 “The data transfer will be a nightmare”
The fear
Your payroll data is complex, spread across different systems, and full of historical information that needs to be perfectly transferred. One wrong move and everything falls apart.
The reality
You’re not the one transferring the data – we are.
At Ascend, we have many ways to get your data. We can liaise directly with your current payroll provider to handle all data transfers. Alternatively, you can give us access to your software so we can get what we need. You don’t need to understand file formats, extract reports, or coordinate between systems. That’s
what our team of payroll experts does every single day.
We’ve got a technology toolkit that can extract data from virtually any source, modern platforms, legacy software, even paper documents if that’s what we’re working with. We’ll track down everything we need and make sure nothing gets lost in translation.
We keep you in the know, but aim to minimise the time (and resource) you have to spend providing us with the data.
Myth #2 “My current provider won’t cooperate”
The fear
Your existing provider will make things difficult. They will drag their feet, refuse to share data, or make the switch as painful as possible.
The reality
Most payroll providers act ethically. After all, winning and losing clients is just par for the course. But if they are problematic, don’t worry. We’ve dealt with uncooperative providers before, and we know exactly how to handle them.
If your current provider isn’t playing ball, we can mobilise our team of experienced payroll professionals who’ve spent years onboarding payrolls in every imaginable situation. We know the workarounds, we understand the regulations around data access, and we won’t let roadblocks stop us from getting you switched over smoothly.
We’re persistent, we’re professional, and we don’t give up until your payroll is exactly where it needs to be.
Myth #3 “Our records are too messy”
The fear
Your payroll isn’t in perfect shape. Maybe there are gaps in the data, incomplete records from previous years, or information that’s scattered across multiple systems. You assume you need to sort it all out before you can even think about switching.
The reality
It doesn’t matter what state your payroll is in. Believe us, we’ve probably seen worse, and we’ve fixed it.
- Missing data? We’ll fill in the gaps.
- Incomplete year-to-date records? We’ve rebuilt entire payrolls from the start of the tax year when necessary.
- Paper-based systems mixed with digital records? We can extract and consolidate everything into one clean, compliant system.
We’ve even pulled data from HR records to reconstruct complete payroll histories when providers have lost information or gone out of business.
Whatever your situation looks like right now, you can relax. We’ve got this.
Myth #4 “My staff won’t get paid on time”
The fear
This is the big one. The absolute worst-case scenario. Staff don’t get paid correctly, or at all, and suddenly you’ve got a crisis on your hands.
The reality
This is exactly why we plan every switch meticulously.
Your employees getting paid correctly and on time isn’t just a priority; it’s non-negotiable. We coordinate every aspect of the switch to ensure there’s zero disruption to payroll runs. We verify all data before processing, we run test scenarios, and we maintain constant communication so you know exactly what’s
happening and when.
Throughout their careers, our team has switched thousands of payrolls, and keeping pay running smoothly is what we do best.
Myth #5 “Switching will take up too much of my team’s time”
The fear
Your team is already stretched thin. The thought of adding a major project like switching payroll providers feels impossible to fit into your workload.
The reality
We work around you, not through you.
The Ascend Easy Switching Service is designed to have minimal impact on your internal resources. We don’t expect you to project-manage the switch, attend endless meetings, or divert your team’s attention from their actual jobs.
We handle the heavy lifting. You’re kept informed, you approve the key decisions, but the day-to-day work of extracting data, rebuilding records, and coordinating the technical side? That’s all us.
Myth #6 “It’s too risky to make a change”
The fear
What if something goes wrong? What if the new provider isn’t any better? What if you end up worse off than you are now?
The reality
Staying with a provider that isn’t working for you is the real risk. Every month you stay put with a payroll service that’s letting you down, you’re paying a price – in time spent fixing errors, stress from worrying about compliance, and missed opportunities to improve your processes.
Yes, switching requires change. But when you work with a provider who’s done this many times before, who has the systems and expertise to handle any situation, and who guarantees your payroll won’t miss a beat? That’s not risky. That’s smart business.
Read our blog “Why sticking with a struggling payroll provider is riskier than you think” for more on this topic.
The truth about switching to Ascend
Here’s what actually happens when you switch to Ascend:
We do the work. You don’t switch payroll providers; we do it for you. From liaising with your current provider to extracting data, filling gaps, and ensuring complete accuracy, our team handles every step.
Your payroll keeps running. There’s no disruption to pay runs, no compliance issues, and no impact on your staff getting paid correctly and on time.
You get expert support. Our team has years of experience onboarding payrolls of all types and in all situations. We’ve seen every complication, and we know exactly how to resolve them.
You can finally relax. Because for the first time in a while, your payroll is in the hands of people who genuinely care about getting it right.
Stop letting myths hold you back
If you’ve been putting off switching because of what might go wrong, it’s time to focus on what will actually happen – a smooth, professional transition to a payroll provider who puts you first.
The myths about switching are just that: myths. The reality is far less scary and far more straightforward than you think.
Ready to see what switching to Ascend actually looks like? Get in touch today, and let’s show you why hundreds of businesses have made the move without looking back.
