Payroll

Job growth at small businesses continued to slow down last month, although wages are rising, according to a new report from payroll giant Paychex.

The unemployment rate inched up one-tenth of a point to 4.4 percent, as employers added 222,000 jobs in June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday, although accounting and bookkeeping services lost 300 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Private sector employment increased by 158,000 last month, according to payroll giant ADP, in another sign of the job market moving toward what economists consider “full employment.”

Employment growth at small businesses declined for the fourth month in a row in June, according to payroll giant Paychex, but wages continued to rise.

Accountants and other financial advisers know better than most how busy small business owners are and how much they value any advice, resources or tools that can help them save time, particularly on administrative tasks.

Accounting firm combinations in Florida and Alabama lead the bill in a roundup of recent M&A activity in the profession, plus a payroll company has been acquired.

Job growth at small businesses dipped in May for the third month in a row, but hourly earnings rose 2.87 percent ($0.72) to an average of $25.76 compared to a year ago, according to payroll giant Paychex.

Payroll providers weigh in on the latest trends in the field.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday that total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 211,000 last month, including 5,200 in accounting and bookkeeping on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Private sector employers added 177,000 jobs in April, including 72,000 in professional and businesses services, according to payroll giant ADP, in a sign that the hiring pace is slowing somewhat from last year.