Gusto has launched what it call a People Advisory program. The payroll software company is providing education and resources that enables practitioners to obtain the People Advisory Certification, based on their knowledge of human resources, benefits and payroll.“It’s a way to think differently about payroll,” according to Will Lopez, the head of the company’s accountant community.
The program is not just about payroll, but is about the factors surrounding the employee lifecycle. This includes payroll and human resource issues such as employee relations such as worker satisfaction with an employer.
Topics in this area that have become relevant is how to treat employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accountants are being asked to support business recovery decisions, and are asking questions such as “Do you think I should furlough my team or let them go. When is the best time to bring them back,” Lopez related
Gusto says the certification gives accountants access to a revenue stream they have not had before. The certification will provide training, including teaching them consultative frameworks, Lopez said.
“We will launch industry’s first people advisory playbook,” Lopez said. He said clients have routinely asked accountants about issues such as having employees versus contract workers and when benefits should be introduced.
