FAQs

What’s unique about your solution?

The Lyceum Payroll/HR Processing Service redefines standard “cookie-cutter” processing approaches with the ultimate in system flexibility. In addition to providing a full range of pay processing and tax withholding/reporting services in all fifty states, Lyceum integrates desired HR functionality directly into the payroll process. Customers retain full control of their data and have 24/7 access to a processing environment which is customized to suit each clients requirements.

How large does our organization have to be to benefit from your solution?

The size of the enterprise is not a factor. Whether your organization is a two-person consulting firm that needs basic payroll processing with integrated tax filing or a large organization with complex hierarchies requiring tight position controls, mandated approval processes, varied labor categories and multiple tax jurisdictions, we can customize a solution for you.

Will we need to change our business practices to fit your processing routines?

No. Our rules-based technology is able to automate your policies and procedures without changing the way you do business.  In fact, we are able to automate different, calculative pay processes that occur upstream of gross pay such as commission and incentive plans. The ability of Lyceum’s technology to capture complexity gives clients the added option to increase operating efficiencies through integration of other, related core business processes.

What if we merge or restructure our company once enrolled on this service?

This is an operational sweet spot as the service can be adjusted at any time to reflect changes due to merger, acquisition or other internal or external factors that require a fresh look at your business practices. It is one reason why the solution was so attractive to the U.S. Government due to its agility to accept annual pay table adjustments and other administrative changes that may be congressionally mandated.

Will there be additional charges for hardware or software upgrades? What about other fees, add-ons, surcharges, and hidden expenses?

As a pure outsourced service provider, there are no additional charges for Lyceum system-wide upgrades and enhancements. Once activated, clients pay a flat monthly fee based upon the number of payees. Other than optional overnight delivery charges, the flat fee is fully inclusive of all payroll related processing expenses including W-2 production, direct deposit, tax withholding, tax filing and reporting, unlimited access to data and reports, along with a number of integrated HR functions such as leave tracking and expense reimbursement. In short, there are no surprises other than the pleasant surprise of our extremely competitive pricing.

Can we perform “what if” scenarios with the system?

Yes.  Not only does the system permit simple future modeling capability but all data entered into the system is time and date stamped. This allows a user to go back in time to any data entry point and easily make corrections or changes. Once accepted, the system will subsequently recalculate all numbers affected by the data change while noting the time and date of the revision.

Is it possible to access the system off-site?

Yes. You get complete controlled access to all data and reporting functions 24/7, using a secure Internet connection.  Any time you want to run payroll, amend your own data – tax withholding, leave requests, benefits and more – you can do it with a few clicks.

Can I access data that other employees can’t see?

Each set of users are given roles with restricted access rights to transactions as well as data elements. Payroll administrators can easily determine the level and degree of data access rights from senior management on down to employee level self-service accounts.

How long does it take me to learn the system?  I don’t have lots of free time.

The learning curve is minimal. Upon activation, clients access their own, familiar customer-specific environment that is not cluttered with non-applicable options.  Instead, we take all the payroll-related functions your company performs on a day-to-day, period-to-period, and annual basis, quantify these into rules, and then apply them uniformly across your organization. Your specific leave policies, pay procedures, expense reimbursements, etc. are put together in accordance with your express organizational instructions.

What kind of e-mail or phone support may I expect from Lyceum?

We are there if you need us.   User support for our service is less necessary as the client informs us as to precisely how they want their processing environment organized. The result is a clean, easy to navigate system containing all the familiar business practices we were instructed to implement.

Where is the system housed?  Is it fully secure?

We maintain your company data, payroll/HR and tax information in geographically separate, highly secure operations centers in Ashburn, VA and Richardson, TX (each near an Internet hub).  As a U.S. government payroll service provider, we meet or exceed all federal government system security requirements for off-site private data processing.

We process a lot of transactions.  How can we audit the transactions?

We never delete any data. The system provides a complete archival record, which enables easy retrieval of all entered data for audit purposes or any other reason.  The point-in-time system architecture automatically dates and time stamps every entry.

How long have you been in business? How many people are processed on your system?

Lyceum principles have over twenty years of experience designing and operating payroll/HR systems within both the public and private sector. Lyceum itself was established in 2003. The firm achieved quick market success with a multi-million dollar payroll processing contract within the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The firm has since secured other Federal payroll processing contracts while expanding its commercial presence and capabilities. Once all current subscribers become activated, Lyceum will have a monthly processing population of more than 15,000 people.

Is there a niche market that you specialize in?

No. The processing agility of our technology is without limitation. Current clients include associations, law firms, government contractors, restaurants, consulting firms, schools, churches, real estate concerns, benefits providers, and several U.S. Government agencies.

Why are you really different than the usual providers?

Many finance and human resource professionals have come to view outsourced payroll vendors as a necessary evil. They stifle good business practices and hinder natural corporate rhythms. At Lyceum, we believe that each organization has its own, unique operational DNA that should be accommodated by a flexible processing environment. We are a client-centered technology company that configures solutions to be in synch with our customer’s operational objectives.

How much does a customized payroll-related solution like this cost?

It is likely to be less (a lot less in certain circumstances) than you are already paying.

What are other cost advantages?

• Incorporates personnel, adjustment and financial data into payroll – electronically.  No more spreadsheet management…and the calculations are correct. You save time!

• Applies a single discipline to the payroll process.  You tell us the parameters and we limit the data entry to those allowable ranges/inputs. Audit functions enable instant backout of incorrect entries. No more data entry errors.

• Handles your organizations paperwork and processes online.  Client-specific computational transactions and workflow processes are tied to policies and procedures saving all organizations even more time.

• Allows transactions to be entered now, effective in the past or in the future.  With our unique Point in Time (PiT) feature transactions are entered at their effective date.  Pay increases, withholding changes, retroactive adjustments, future events can all be entered at the right date.  The system calculates the adjustments.  No more clutter from post it notes and calendar reminders.  Enter the action when you get it.

Discover the freedom of payroll/HR processing from Lyceum.  Contact us today to get started on the road to a more satisfying experience.