Back to Education
Las Vegas · Henderson5 min read

Done-for-you payroll vs. software for Vegas trades and restaurants

Entering hours takes five minutes. The mistakes that come after cost thousands. Here's where the real work is — and who should carry it.

Payroll software solves the easy part

Gusto, ADP, and Paychex make it easy to type in hours and hit run. But if you're on a job site or in a kitchen all day, the button was never the problem. The problem is everything the software assumes you already know.

The hard parts Nevada owners get stuck on

  • Workers' comp audits. Wrong class codes and missing sub certificates inflate your premium. See our Nevada WC audit guide.
  • W-2 vs 1099. Calling a helper a "sub" can get expensive fast. Read worker classification basics.
  • Modified Business Tax. Most self-filers miss the health-insurance deduction. Our Nevada MBT guide walks through it.
  • Multi-state crews. A job in California means California rules for those hours.
  • Tip reporting. Restaurants need card tips, tip pools, and Form 8027 handled right. See restaurant tip reporting.
  • Paying yourself. Software pays the crew. Nobody makes sure the owner gets paid first. That's Profit First.

What done-for-you looks like

You text a photo of the timesheet from the truck, email it, or call it in. Our team enters it, reviews it for costly mistakes, and runs payroll. Taxes, filings, and audits are handled for a flat monthly fee with no long-term contract.

When DIY makes sense

If you like being in the software and want full control, you can run payroll yourself — our team still covers filings, audits, and classification questions. Most owners we work with decide their time is worth more on the job.

Ready to see where you're losing time and money? Start with our Las Vegas payroll page or book a free 20-minute Profit & Time Leaks review.

Matt Frechette, founder of Profit First Payroll

— Founder story

Built by blue-collar, for blue-collar.

Profit First Payroll was founded by Matt Frechette, who brings 20+ years of hands-on experience in blue-collar environments. He's seen shops thrive — or unravel — because of poor cash flow, inconsistent owner pay, late crew checks, and workers' comp audit nightmares. PFP is built explicitly for trades and labor-heavy businesses: proper crew classification, project-based volatility, and protecting profit in high-risk industries.

— Free 20-min call

Want a no-BS look at YOUR setup?

Five quick questions. Then Matt jumps on a call and tells you what's leaking.

Book the free call

— Google Reviews

What owners say.

— From Google

On the jobsite.

— Recent Updates

Latest posts.

— FAQ

Questions we get a lot.