15099: Employee Payroll Setup (DAS)

To process live or after-the-fact employee payroll checks, you must first complete necessary payroll information within Firm, Client, and Employees.

Watch the Employee Setup and Live and ATF Payroll videos for demonstrations.

1. Set up your client for payroll.
   • The Firm > Rates & Withholding Setup must be filled out with the appropriate state rates and limits in order for the SUTA reports to calculate properly. 
   • Complete Client > Add or Edit.
   • Complete Employees > Options.
     • The G/L Account Numbers tab must be completed if you are using the Drake Accounting^® bookkeeping module. There are no default accounts set: you must tell the software the accounts you want used for payroll.
   • At Employees > Deductions & Benefits, setup any deductions and/or benefits information.
2. Set up your client’s employees for payroll.
   • At Employees > Employee Setup > click New and complete the following as it applies to the employee:
     • Personal Information Tab - Enter an Employee Code and complete demographic information.
     • Payroll Wages/Rates Tab - Configure how and when the employee is paid.
     • Payroll Options Tab - Select various payroll options, including tipped employee, 401K status, vacation and sick pay calculation.
     • GL Accounts Tab - ​Select a GL Account Profile set up under Employees > Options, or select a Payment Method, Cash Account Numbers, Expense Account Numbers, and Liability Account Numbers.
     • Federal Tax Tab - Configure Federal withholding information and options including filing status and tax exemptions.
     • State Tax Tab - Configure State withholding information and options including filing status and tax exemptions.
       •  Allows for differentiation between State Tax Table and State for SUTA calculation. 
     • Local Tax Tab - Configure Local withholding information and options.
     • Deductions Tab - Apply deductions from the Deductions & Benefits setup.
     • Benefits Tab - Apply benefits from the Deductions & Benefits setup.
     • Direct Deposit Tab - Individual bank information for Direct Deposit.
     • Notes Tab - A space to keep notes. At this time, there are no functions available to print notes entered in this section.
     • Checks Tab (Beginning in DAS20) - ​Review checks that have been created for this employee.
   • Repeat this for each employee.

Direct Deposit – If the payroll checks are to be deposited directly into the employee’s bank account, select the check box Direct Deposit Payroll Checks on the Direct Deposit tab under Employees Setup. 

Kotapay (formerly InterceptEFT) is Drake’s partner for direct deposit. You must call them (1-800-378-3328) and establish your account prior to using the Direct Deposit feature. Drake has established a special fee schedule with Kotapay for its clients. It’s important that you identify yourself as a Drake client whenever you communicate with Kotapay.

Paper checks – If you intend to print live employee payroll checks, you must set up the check format and printing preferences.

DAS20:

• Select the Financial menu, then select Check Designer and set up a check design.  Additional options can be modified on the Check & Stub Options screen.
• For MICR checks, MICR Bank Accounts will also need to be completed under the Setup menu.

DAS21:

• Select the Financial menu, then select Check Designer and set up a check design.  Additional options can be modified on the Check & Stub Options screen.
• For MICR checks, go to Financial > Payment Methods. For detailed instructions see Related Links below.

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