PAYROLL INSIGHTS SURVEY 2026 OUTSOURCED
Pricing
Tasks most likely to be included as standard 1. Real time information (RTI) and employer payment summary ( 92% ) 2. End of tax year processing ( 88% ) 3. Leaver processing ( 88% )
The majority of bureaus use bespoke pricing ( 54%) followed by price per employee ( 38% ). Two respondents stated in the ‘other’ category that they used price based on time worked. Bespoke pricing remains the dominant charging model, used by more than half of respondents. This suggests payroll providers increasingly recognise that client requirements vary significantly in terms of complexity, payroll frequencies, integrations, benefits administration and compliance support. The results indicate that standardised pricing models may be becoming less suitable as payroll services become increasingly tailored to client requirements.
4. New starter processing ( 86% ) 5. Automatic enrolment ( 76% )
Tasks most likely to not be included 1. Right to work checks ( 88% ) 2. Telephone queries from the clients’ employees ( 46% ) 3. Forecasting ( 44% ) 4. Payment to HMRC ( 41% ) 5. Email queries from the clients’ employees ( 34% ) 2. Payments to employees ( 56% ) 3. Processing of benefits (50%) 4. Forecasting ( 44% ) 5. Payments to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) ( 41% ) Tasks most likely to incur additional charges 1. P11D reporting ( 78% )
54% Bespoke pricing packages
38% Price per employee
36% Price per payslip
34% Price per pay period
The data suggests a clear distinction between operational payroll processing and advisory or specialist services. Core payroll functions such as RTI submissions, starter processing and year-end activities are typically included within standard service packages. More specialist or labour-intensive activities, including P11D reporting, benefits processing and forecasting, are more likely to attract additional fees. This demonstrates how many providers differentiate between routine payroll administration and higher-value advisory services.
16% Other
0% of respondents said that they use a ‘Contingency (percentage of processed payrolls) pricing structure
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In most cases percentages have been rounded to two decimal places for clarity and may not add up to 100%. Graphics may have been rounded to whole percentages.
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