Country Financial

James Carlson, a financial advisor at Country Financial, is no stranger to leadership and dedication. Recently inducted into the Central Illinois Sports Hall of Fame, James has spent years coaching grade-school basketball teams and organizing camps, balancing his professional career with his passion for community involvement.

However, as Country Financial set its sights on growth, each new hire brought additional administrative challenges, straining the company’s resources and processes. Managing payroll and HR became increasingly complex, threatening to take James away from the work—and the community activities—he cared about most.

This case study explores how IRIS Payroll & HCM services empowered James and Country Financial to streamline operations, support their growth ambitions, and regain valuable time to focus on what matters most.

The Challenge

Before partnering with IRIS, the team at Country Financial was a small, entirely in-house payroll team. Every process was done in-house, including cutting checks weekly and managing W2s. While this was working, James wanted to expand and take on more clients.

As his team expanded, he encountered a new challenge. The processes that worked with a smaller team didn’t scale and it wasn’t easy to complete tasks. “My challenge was, who is going to do my taxes? Who is going to do payroll? If I’m going to do bonuses, who is going to do that? I had no desire to jump into that world. . . I’m looking to grow my business, not go backward. I needed help.”

James wasn’t looking to sacrifice his time just to pick up new services, so he needed a reliable solution that delivered professional results, without requiring him to work longer hours and not be able to do the things he enjoyed.

The Solution

After searching the market, IRIS Payroll and HCM, formerly known as Cavu HCM, became the best option for Country Financial because it provided James with the support and resources he needed while being accessible, cost-effective, and easy to use.

“I just didn’t know where to go with all of that. I had never had to do that. IRIS was very helpful and made it very easy.” The team at IRIS worked with him to help determine his pay schedule and needs to ensure that payroll was processed accurately and on time, every time. “I don’t have to hit a button or do anything. They do it all, and I get a summary. They tell me exactly how much they’re getting paid and what taxes are being withheld. It’s very easy and open.”

IRIS Payroll and HCM offers comprehensive support, serving as a trusted partner for Country Financial. “If I ever have a question, I have a dedicated account representative I can go to,” James shares. Whether James or his team needs assistance, they can rely on a dedicated representative who understands their unique needs and history—not a generic call center. This personalized approach ensures they receive tailored solutions and prompt support, empowering them to address challenges effectively and stay on track to achieve their business goals.

Payroll and HCM laws and regulations are strict and must be followed with complete accuracy. “It always gets your attention when you get something from the IRS where they say your numbers don’t match up. I would then call or email my account manager and send them the information. Then they would take care of it. That’s what I really like because I’m very busy every day, and I don’t need to have an issue with the IRS trying to figure out who to call or who to talk to. . . I didn’t want to do that. I just wanted someone to help me with it,” and IRIS Payroll and HCM provided that support.

The Results

One of the biggest things IRIS Payroll and HCM has saved the team at Country Financial is time. Because they no longer have to input hours, double-check withholdings, or manage benefits, and the entire process is automated, James and his team have their time back to focus on running and expanding their business.

Overhaul Your Payroll and HCM with IRIS

IRIS Payroll and HCM is your trusted partner for streamlining payroll and HCM processes, helping you save time and money. With our expertise, you can rest assured that your payroll and HCM needs are always handled accurately and on time, eliminating the risk of late, missed, or incorrect payments.

Our dedicated account representatives are always available to provide personalized support, addressing any challenges you face so you can focus on growing your business while we manage the complexities of payroll and HCM.