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Expand Client Value
Offer an additional resource when clients ask about accepting payments, point-of-sale technology, or evaluating merchant processing fees.
Payroll Referral Partnerships
Payroll Referral Partnerships for HR & Business Service Providers
Payroll referral partnerships with Valued Merchant Services help eligible payroll companies, HR firms, and workforce service providers introduce their business clients to merchant processing, payment technology, and practical business solutions.
Strengthen existing client relationships by offering an additional business resource. Meanwhile, explore potential referral fees and recurring revenue sharing through an approved partnership agreement.
No payroll platform integration is required to discuss a referral-only relationship. Eligibility and terms are reviewed individually.
Since 2006
VMS business experience
50 States
Nationwide service reach
B2B Focus
Long-term business relationships
Flexible Scope
Referral-oriented partnerships
Understanding the opportunity
What Are Payroll Referral Partnerships?
Payroll referral partnerships are business arrangements in which payroll or HR service providers introduce eligible clients to another company for complementary business solutions. Under a VMS arrangement, the partner makes approved introductions to businesses interested in merchant processing or related services. VMS evaluates their needs, while the written agreement defines responsibilities, eligibility, and any permitted compensation.
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Explore New Revenue
Discuss eligible upfront referral fees or ongoing revenue-sharing arrangements that complement existing service revenue. Earnings are not guaranteed.
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Stay Focused on Payroll & HR
Your organization continues providing its core services. VMS handles agreed merchant processing discussions and associated service activities.
Business providers we consider
Referral Partnerships for Payroll Companies and HR Providers.
A local payroll bureau, large payroll service organization, and outsourced HR consultancy may have different types of client relationships. Therefore, VMS begins with your customer base, operational goals, and referral preferences.
Payroll Service Providers
Payroll bureaus and payroll processing firms serve employers that may also need payment acceptance, terminals, POS systems, or merchant account reviews.
HR Consulting Firms
HR advisers frequently support growing businesses. An approved referral relationship may provide another resource when clients raise relevant operational needs.
PEOs & Outsourced HR
Professional employer organizations and outsourced HR companies can explore a clearly defined referral arrangement that respects client relationships and service boundaries.
Workforce Software Firms
Timekeeping and workforce management platforms may know business clients seeking additional operational tools. Referral options are distinct from software integration.
Benefits & Business Advisers
Advisers providing employee benefits or workforce consulting can discuss eligible introductions, subject to professional obligations and applicable disclosure requirements.
Multi-Service B2B Firms
Companies bundling payroll, HR consulting, bookkeeping, and business support may find payment solutions useful for a portion of their clients.
Complementary business solutions
Help Clients With Payment Needs Beyond Payroll.
Payroll solutions help businesses manage their workforce. However, the same business may also need a better way to accept customer payments, manage card transactions, or support in-person and online sales.
For example, a restaurant may need modern POS technology, while a contractor may want mobile payment acceptance. An online retailer may instead need an ecommerce gateway.
VMS evaluates merchant needs and available options individually. A referral is not a promise of cost savings or eligibility for every solution.
Merchant Processing
Processing Expense Reviews
Point-of-Sale Systems
Payment Terminals
Ecommerce Gateways
Mobile Payments
ACH & Check Services
Gift & Loyalty Programs
Digital Business Tools
Other Approved Services
Relevant conversations
When Can Payroll & HR Firms Make a Useful Merchant Referral?
The most useful referrals begin with a business need expressed by the client. For instance, these common situations may create a reason for an introduction.
A New Business Is Hiring
A growing business engages a payroll provider as it prepares to hire. The owner may also be evaluating payment acceptance. With consent, the provider can make an introduction to VMS.
A Retailer Is Expanding
A business adds another location and needs updated payment equipment or POS technology. The payroll relationship may reveal the expansion, but the introduction should occur through an approved client request.
A Client Reviews Operating Costs
A business owner asks about recurring processing fees or possible alternatives. VMS can evaluate relevant merchant statements provided with proper authorization.
A straightforward introduction process
How Payroll Referral Partnerships Work.
We begin with your business model and identify where a referral relationship could complement your current services. Then, if the arrangement is appropriate, the parties agree on the operating process before referrals begin.
01
Explore Partnership Fit
Discuss your clients, core services, common merchant needs, and potential referral opportunities.
02
Set Clear Terms
Review eligible referrals, permitted communications, compensation, responsibilities, and confidentiality requirements.
03
Make Approved Introductions
Introduce interested business clients through the agreed process, with appropriate consent and relevant disclosures.
04
Support & Coordinate
VMS evaluates merchant needs and provides agreed services. Reporting and permitted compensation follow the contract.
Protecting client confidence
Payroll Referral Partnerships Must Respect Confidentiality and Client Choice.
Payroll and HR companies often hold sensitive employer and employee information. A merchant referral should not involve transferring payroll files, Social Security numbers, employee wages, benefits records, or other unnecessary personal data.
Instead, a simple, opt-in introduction can begin with authorized business contact information and the client's stated payment needs. The parties should establish the appropriate requirements before launching any referral activity.
Client Authorization
Establish when a client has authorized an introduction, what contact details may be shared, and how VMS is permitted to communicate with the business.
Information Boundaries
Keep payroll records, employee information, tax files, and other confidential data outside the referral workflow unless a separate lawful purpose and appropriate safeguards exist.
Transparent Compensation
Define eligible introductions, potential referral fees, ongoing revenue calculations, and any required disclosures in an approved written agreement.
Independent Service Responsibilities
Your organization remains responsible for its payroll or HR services. VMS handles agreed merchant solution activities, with defined escalation and support contacts.
Disclosure reference:
The
Federal Trade Commission's business guidance
on endorsements and material connections
discusses disclosure considerations
when recommendations involve a financial
relationship. The specific requirements
depend on the communication and arrangement.
This link is informational, not an
endorsement or approval of VMS.
An established business partner
Your Client Relationships Deserve a Reliable Referral Experience.
Founded in Idaho in 2006, Valued Merchant Services serves businesses nationwide with merchant processing, payment technology, and related business solutions.
The company is led by co-founders Sean Ruppel, CEO, and Chris Del Grande, President. VMS emphasizes consultative service and long-term business relationships.
Payroll providers earn trust through dependable service and careful handling of business information. Therefore, VMS believes introductions should follow an agreed process with clear expectations, appropriate communication, and a defined service handoff.
Learn more about Valued Merchant Services and our Business Referral Partner Program .
Illustrative image, not a photograph of an actual payroll partner.
Questions payroll providers ask
Payroll Referral Partnerships: Frequently Asked Questions.
Learn how a payroll or HR company can explore merchant referrals, potential revenue sharing, and appropriate client protections.
What are payroll referral partnerships?
Payroll referral partnerships are agreements through which eligible payroll or HR providers introduce business clients to outside services. VMS can evaluate merchant processing needs while an approved written agreement establishes procedures and compensation.
Can payroll companies refer merchant processing clients?
Yes, VMS considers qualified payroll companies that serve businesses accepting payments. The appropriate referral model depends on the clients, permitted communications, and signed partnership terms.
Can payroll providers earn recurring referral revenue?
An approved arrangement may include ongoing revenue sharing, a one-time referral fee, or another agreed model. Compensation depends on qualifying merchant activity, contract terms, and applicable requirements. Earnings are not guaranteed.
Do payroll firms need to sell merchant accounts?
Not necessarily. A referral-oriented relationship allows a provider to make approved introductions while VMS discusses the payment solutions it can offer the referred business.
Is a software integration required to participate?
No integration is needed simply to explore a referral-only model. Any proposed technical connection between payroll software and payment systems would require separate evaluation and agreement.
Can HR consultants and PEOs become referral partners?
VMS considers inquiries from HR consultants, PEOs, outsourced HR providers, and other business services organizations. Each potential relationship is evaluated individually.
What kinds of merchants are suitable for referrals?
Potential examples include retailers, restaurants, contractors, service providers, ecommerce businesses, and other eligible companies that need payment acceptance or a processing review.
Must clients change payment processors?
Not always. Certain solutions may require switching processors, gateways, or equipment, while some business services or reviews may be available without a change. VMS evaluates the individual need.
Does VMS need access to employee payroll records?
No. A typical merchant referral should not require employee payroll records, wage details, Social Security numbers, or benefits information. The parties should limit information sharing to what is necessary for an authorized introduction.
How should a payroll provider obtain client consent?
The parties should establish an approved process for client authorization, information sharing, and communications. Requirements depend on applicable laws, existing contracts, and the referral arrangement.
Who supports the merchant after a referral?
VMS handles agreed support associated with the merchant solutions it provides. The payroll or HR company continues supporting its own services. Responsibilities are defined in the partnership agreement.
Can a small payroll bureau participate?
VMS considers businesses of different sizes. A small client portfolio does not automatically exclude a provider, although eligibility and commercial terms require review.
Are referral fee disclosures necessary?
Disclosure requirements depend on the nature of the recommendation, financial connection, applicable law, and contractual duties. The partner should assess relevant requirements before promoting compensated referrals.
Is this the same as the VMS individual affiliate program?
No. This page addresses business-to-business relationships with service providers. The VMS individual affiliate program is a separate opportunity with its own participation terms.
How can our payroll company explore a partnership?
Complete the form below or call 208-243-0818. Describe your company, the businesses you serve, and the types of merchant needs you encounter. An initial discussion creates no obligation.
Explore a payroll or HR referral relationship
Let's Discuss a Referral Partnership for Your Payroll or HR Company.
Whether you represent a payroll bureau, HR consultancy, PEO, workforce software company, or multi-service business provider, we'd welcome a conversation about your clients and partnership goals.
Form not displaying? Open the partnership inquiry form directly.
Submitting an inquiry does not establish a partnership or guarantee revenue. Programs are subject to eligibility, review, and written agreement.
Valued Merchant Services provides or facilitates business solutions subject to eligibility, provider availability, approval, and contractual terms. Merchant savings and referral income are not guaranteed. Payroll and HR providers are responsible for their own client agreements, privacy obligations, confidentiality duties, communications, and applicable laws. A referral does not require transfer of employee payroll or benefits records. Any permitted compensation is governed by an approved written agreement. This page is informational and not legal, tax, payroll, or compliance advice. Images are illustrative.