I include IOP4A, since that’s really the platform the firm or accountant will use (and what I use in my firm ) when they want to provide payroll services for their client, but also want to be able to export to any QB software. That last bit is simple: when to use QBOP vs IOP/IOP4A.
I’ll focus on features, UI, and platform differences, as well as when to use one over the other based on client scenario. This article targets two of Intuit’s most popular offerings, Intuit Online Payroll or Intuit Online Payroll for Accountants (IOP or IOP4A, as in my below example) and QuickBooks Online Payroll (QBOP). Intuit offers various online payroll solutions, and while all of them share a similar engine-Intuit Online Payroll (formerly Paycycle, which Intuit purchased the platform in 2008)-there are some key differences to understand in order to better consult with your clients. Before we dive in, I have to give a huge shout out to my friend and partner, Woody Adams, for contributing much to this article.
