Newsletter – Winter 2012
Winter 2012
Welcome to our Winter Newsletter. We are here to assist you with your business software, training and employment related needs. Please give one of our experienced team a call.
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ABM Support Email Address Please help us help you by sending all emails for ABM assistance to support@strategic-software.co.nz instead of an email directly to a team member. |
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Minimum wage for Employees with Employer Provided Accommodation
A reminder that the minimum wages was raised to $13.50 per hour on 1 April 2012. For employees who are living in employer provided accommodation the value of the accommodation for PAYE purposes can be added to the salary before applying the minimum wage test.
Example
Minimum Wage Test for employees whose hours change seasonally
The minimum wage check must be able to be applied every pay period. Employers will need to monitor this during busy times of the year when employees may work extra hours for no change in pay. The employee whose gross wages for PAYE purposes is $1,546.15 and normally works 110 hours per fortnight has an hourly rate of $14.06 and therefore passes the minimum wage test. If that same employee works 120 hours in a fortnight the hourly rate falls to $12.88 which is below the minimum wage.
Employers need to keep a record of when employees are at work. This will enable you to keep track of the minimum wage test. It is also an important health and safety issue, especially if there is an accident and employers need to identify who is at work and who is not. |
ABM TIP’s – Did you know that:
ABM can print out product labels to a label printer? Look for the Barcode button on the products screen?
Word and excel can be linked to customer information – great for marketing? (We will show you more at the next ABM users meeting.)
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What is the cloud? Basically the cloud is using the internet to access data from anywhere there is an internet connection. |
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Models:
Whatever the model, there are still computers, servers and software. The difference is who owns them.
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Things to consider:
It is possible to retain your existing software, but add in some “cloud” aspects. |
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For businesses, is the cloud free or will it cost you less? Probably not! |
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Online Bits and Pieces Note sharing – EverNote, OneNote Office type applications – Microsoft Office 365, Google Apps, Zoho File sharing – Dropbox, Google Docs, Microsoft SkyDrive, Nomadesk |
Contact us for more information.
Employment Agreements
Every employee must have a written employment agreement. From 1 July 2011, employers are required to retain a signed copy of the employment agreement or the current signed terms and conditions of employment.
There are some provisions that must be included in employment agreements by law, and there are also a number of minimum conditions that must be met regardless of whether they are included in agreements. Please contact us if you need assistance.
Bonus payments
If you would like an employee to receive a bonus of a specified net amount, you need to be aware of the cost to yourself especially if the employee is in KiwiSaver. The net will be grossed up to cover both employer and employee contributions.
For example: if you wish an employee to receive $500.00 net, the gross amount will be the net amount plus PAYE, plus ACC levy, plus both employer and employee KiwiSaver contributions if they are enrolled.
A different tax rate is applied for lump sum payments. Please contact us to calculate if required.
Testimonial
“We have used Strategic Software for many years for our Accounting Program as well as our Payroll and have found them to be extremely efficient and reliable. They have a vast knowledge of Accounting Systems and Payroll, nothing was ever a problem. Payroll was a very easy and painless task, Strategic Software took care of every aspect and the reports we received weekly were very detailed with all the information we needed. We have since changed our programs to match our Head Office, however . . .
Carpet Court, Invercargill
