Why Payroll Shouldn’t Be a DIY Job – And Why Ardiah is the Right Partner for You

Why Payroll Shouldn’t Be a DIY Job – And Why Ardiah is the Right Partner for You

By Chris Austin, President of Ardiah

Let’s be real—most business owners didn’t start their company because they were dying to file 941s or chase down payroll tax filings. Yet here we are, in 2025, where more small business owners are being pushed to do just that—on their own, armed with nothing more than a “user-friendly” app and a prayer.

Here’s the truth:
Nearly 33% of small businesses get fined every year for payroll mistakes. That’s not a stat we made up—it’s from the IRS. And if you’ve ever gotten a love letter from the IRS, you know it’s not exactly the kind of mail that makes your day.

At Ardiah, we believe payroll should be seamless, accurate, and stress-free. We pair the cutting-edge tech of ADP Run with a local, knowledgeable team that actually picks up the phone when you call. It’s the best of both worlds—national power with a local heart.

⚠️ The Risk of DIY Payroll

Doing your own payroll is like fixing your own plumbing: sure, it might seem cheaper, but one wrong move and you’re ankle-deep in problems. Payroll mistakes can lead to:

  • Costly penalties
  • Unpaid workers comp premiums
  • Unhappy employees (who always do notice)
  • Misclassified workers
  • Botched tax reporting

Oh, and you’re still legally responsible, even if software told you it was “all good.” Yikes.

📱 What Employees Expect in 2025

We live in the age of mobile everything. Your employees want to:

  • View paystubs on their phone
  • Check PTO balances without asking HR
  • Download W-2s at tax time—without a wild goose chase

Our payroll platform—powered by ADP Run—includes easy-to-use apps for your team and powerful dashboards for you. We help you stay compliant and your team stay happy. That’s what we call a win-win.

💸 “Cheaper” Doesn’t Always Mean Better

There’s no shortage of slick fintech companies offering self-service payroll at bargain-basement prices. And while they might look good on Instagram, here’s the reality:

  • You’re still on your own when something goes wrong
  • Customer support is hit-or-miss (if you can find it at all)
  • You’re a number, not a name

At Ardiah, you get real people—people who know your name, your business, and your state laws. When you call, we answer. When things go sideways, we help you fix it. And we do it without nickel-and-diming you for “extra support.”

🚀 ADP Run + Ardiah = The Perfect Combo

We’ve partnered with ADP since the beginning to give our clients access to one of the most trusted names in payroll technology. ADP Run gives you the features, security, and reliability of a Fortune 500 solution—but Ardiah gives you the personal support and hands-on service you can’t get from a 1-800 number.

Think of it like this: ADP is the engine. Ardiah is the expert driver.

Ready to Ditch the Headaches?

If you’re still doing payroll on your own, or using a service that leaves you in the lurch, it’s time to upgrade. Let Ardiah handle it. We’ll make sure your people get paid, your taxes get filed, and you can get back to doing what you love—running your business (not running reports at midnight).

📞 Let’s chat. We’re accepting new clients now, and we’d love to show you how we make payroll painless.

Chris Austin

President, Ardiah 

About the Author: Chris Austin is passionate about supporting small businesses and is the President of Ardiah, a trusted provider of accounting, payment solutions, POS systems, payroll, and tax services. Chris and his team are dedicated to helping small businesses thrive by delivering tailored solutions and personalized support. If you have a small business support or service need, they would love to help! 207-230-4576 or email: [email protected]