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The Wrapbook Team consists of individuals who are thrilled about building modern software tools for creators. We’re a team of compassionate and curious people dedicated to solving complex problems with sophisticated solutions. You can find us across the U.S. and Canada.
At Wrapbook, we pride ourselves on providing outstanding free resources to producers and their crews, but this post is for informational purposes only as of the date above. The content on our website is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for legal, accounting, or tax advice. You should consult with your own legal, accounting, or tax advisors to determine how this general information may apply to your specific circumstances.
Skip vague pricing. Share a past payroll example and compare exact costs. Transparent providers will break down fees clearly so you can make an apples-to-apples comparison.
Payroll data is highly sensitive. Look for providers who can confidently explain how they protect it—encryption, secure transactions, 24/7 monitoring, and independent audits should be standard.
Payroll affects your entire financial ecosystem. Choose a provider that integrates with your existing budgeting and accounting tools (e.g., Hot Budget, QuickBooks, Sage Intacct).
Without integrations, you’ll waste time manually transferring data and risk costly errors.
Bug fixes are expected. Innovation is what sets providers apart.
Ask how often they release new features, how they collect customer feedback, and whether they adapt to legal changes quickly, such as shifting union guidelines.
Onboarding should be simple—for you and your crew. If it takes hours of training to use the software, expect bottlenecks and constant “how do I do this?” interruptions.
Switching doesn’t have to be painful. With EORs, you don’t need to migrate old data, and starting fresh is straightforward—especially early in the year or at your first project’s kickoff.
If you switch mid-year, discuss potential impacts on unemployment insurance and costs so there are no surprises.
Switching payroll providers can feel like a leap, but with the right questions, it becomes a strategic upgrade. In production, time is money—and the right provider gives you more of both.
Wrapbook has designed our platform around the realities of production payroll, so you can run smoother, faster, and with fewer headaches. Talk to our team today to discover how we can streamline your production payroll.
If your payroll process is draining time, slowing productions, and frustrating your team, switching providers might be the best move you make this year. But before you make the leap, be sure you’re choosing a partner who truly understands the unique demands of production payroll—and can deliver on them.
These 12 essential questions will help you make a confident, informed choice.
It sounds basic, but clarity here is critical. Some providers only process payroll; others manage onboarding, compliance, budgeting, and more.
For production companies, industry expertise is non-negotiable. Your provider should understand the realities of project-based payroll—multiple crews, short timelines, shifting locations—and have a track record to prove it.
Follow-ups to ask:
In production, compliance can make or break your payroll process. Look for a provider that clearly explains what they handle and what’s on you.
Working with an Employer of Record (EOR) can be a game-changer. EORs file under their own federal ID, manage tax compliance, and handle union and workers’ comp requirements—freeing your team from tedious registration and paperwork.
Not all providers take on tax filing responsibilities. Without an EOR, you’ll likely handle more filings yourself—a major time sink for busy productions.
If avoiding IRS fines is high on your list—and it should be—make sure your provider files returns and deposits taxes for you.
With crews changing from project to project, tax documents must be processed quickly and made accessible to every worker.
The easiest solution? Digital crew profiles. When all crew data lives in one system, your provider can generate W-2s or 1099s automatically—and your crew can download them anytime.
Even the best digital solutions need real human backup. Look for:
Ask about response times, availability (phone + email), and resolution targets.
“Having support” and “getting support” are not the same. Ensure your crew can access help directly—without funneling all questions through your producer, production coordinator, or production accountant.
