The survey queried accountants on a variety of related topics, ranging from how they deliver value to clients, to which payroll providers they refer to most often.

"At Paychex, we place a strong emphasis on the long-standing and positive relationship we have built, and continue to build, with the accounting community," said Del Humenik, Paychex senior vice president of sales and marketing. "We truly value and appreciate the insight they offer us, not only through participation in this survey, but also on an ongoing basis throughout the year."

More than 70 percent of respondents agreed that clients typically either lack the necessary expertise to process payroll in-house, or that a client's time is better spent focused on running their business.

The Harris Interactive survey of accounting professionals also revealed that:

-- Accountants who have referred payroll services to their clients tend to be highly consultative in nature by also referring services such as retirement administration, health insurance, human resource benefits administration, and more.

-- Only 39 percent of accountants who prepare payroll for clients cited this service as a good revenue opportunity. Accountants who don't process payroll cited low revenue as the number-one reason for not doing so. Other reasons included lack of staff capacity and increased risk and liability.

-- Among outsourced payroll solutions, Paychex received the most favorable results relative to quality of service provided, and opinion of the company/brand.

Paychex is the preferred payroll and retirement plan services provider of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Business Solutions Partner Program, as well as the provider of the AICPA Member Retirement Program. More than 30,000 CPAs and over half of all U.S. accounting firms participate in the partner program.

Methodology

This online, quantitative survey was conducted within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Paychex, Inc. between January 23 and February 12, 2009. The 2,078 Qualified respondents were accounting and/or tax professionals or bookkeepers who work with small companies (fewer than 50 employees) or medium-sized companies (50 to 500 employees).

About Paychex

Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ: PAYX) is a leading provider of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses. The company offers comprehensive payroll services, including payroll processing, payroll tax administration, and employee pay services, including direct deposit, check signing, and Readychex(R). Human resource services include 401(k) plan recordkeeping, health insurance, workers' compensation administration, section 125 plans, a professional employer organization, time and attendance solutions, and other administrative services for business. Paychex was founded in 1971. With headquarters in Rochester, New York, the company has more than 100 offices serving approximately 554,000 payroll clients nationwide as of May 31, 2009. For more information about Paychex and our products, visit www.paychex.com.

SOURCE: Paychex, Inc.

Paychex, Inc. 
Tracy Van Auker, 585-387-6433 
Public Relations Specialist 
tvanauker@paychex.com

"Our focus on employee wellness is a top priority at Paychex, and we're honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our efforts in this area," said Will Kuchta, Paychex vice president of organizational development. "We're proud that we've created an atmosphere where employees have access to information and tools to help them take charge of their health, and that our employees have enthusiastically embraced this culture of wellness."

Employers that achieve the platinum-level honor:

-- promote a wellness culture in the workplace

-- increase healthy eating options at the workplace

-- offer employees physical activity options in the workplace

-- implement at least nine criteria outlined by the American Heart Association in the areas of physical activity, nutrition, and culture

-- demonstrate measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness

The Paychex Active Health program includes onsite health screenings, online health risk assessments, a tobacco cessation program, comprehensive stress management programs including the availability of a personal assistant, a team-based physical activity and nutrition program, healthy cooking classes, an employee assistance program, family resource kits to help employees caring for young children or seniors, unlimited access to health coaching, medical plans that provide full coverage of routine preventive medical care to employees and their dependents, and cash rewards for points earned by completing wellness and prevention activities.

About the Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program and the American Heart Association

The Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program is a catalyst for positive change in the American workforce by helping companies make their employees' health and wellness a priority. American employers face increasing health care expenses and health-related losses in productivity that cost an estimated $225.8 billion a year. With many American adults spending most of their waking hours at sedentary jobs, the lack of physical activity raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Start! helps change corporate cultures by motivating employees to start walking, which has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity.

About Paychex

Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ:PAYX) is a leading provider of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses. The company offers comprehensive payroll services, including payroll processing, payroll tax administration, and employee pay services, including direct deposit, check signing, and Readychex(R). Human resource services include 401(k) plan recordkeeping, health insurance, workers' compensation administration, section 125 plans, a professional employer organization, time and attendance solutions, and other administrative services for business. Paychex was founded in 1971. With headquarters in Rochester, New York, the company has more than 100 offices serving approximately 554,000 payroll clients nationwide as of May 31, 2009. For more information about Paychex and our products, visit www.paychex.com.

About the American Heart Association

Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat, and defeat these diseases -- America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers -- the organization funds cutting-edge research, conducts lifesaving public and professional education programs, and advocates to protect public health. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.americanheart.org.

SOURCE: Paychex, Inc.

Paychex, Inc. 
Becky Cania, 585-387-6337 
Corporate Communications Manager 
bcania@paychex.com

- Lonny C. Ostrander has been appointed vice president of Human Resource Services Sales for the Southern United States. Ostrander, who joined Paychex in 1990, most recently served as area vice president of HRS Sales, a position he assumed in 2005.

Additionally, Nearen-Bell and Ostrander have been named officers of the company.

"Janice and Lonny are extremely experienced members of the Paychex senior management team, and they are well-prepared to take on the broader responsibilities that come with these assignments," said Jonathan J. Judge, Paychex president and CEO. "I am pleased to recognize their contributions and offer them these new opportunities."

Paychex is a provider of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses. The company offers comprehensive payroll services, including payroll processing, payroll tax administration, and employee pay services, including direct deposit, check signing, and Readychex.

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))

Lonny C. Ostrander has been appointed vice president of Human Resource Services Sales for the Southern United States. Ostrander, who joined Paychex in 1990, most recently served as area vice president of HRS Sales, a position he assumed in 2005.

Additionally, Nearen-Bell and Ostrander have been named officers of the company.

"Janice and Lonny are extremely experienced members of the Paychex senior management team, and they are well-prepared to take on the broader responsibilities that come with these assignments," said Jonathan J. Judge, Paychex president and CEO. "I am pleased to recognize their contributions and offer them these new opportunities."

Nearen-Bell and Ostrander succeed Tony Tortorella, who has left Paychex to pursue other opportunities.

Paychex is a provider of payroll, human resource and benefits outsourcing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses.

More Information:

www.paychex.com

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))