About Us
Payroll On A Budget specializes in paperless, online payroll services exclusively for businesses with one to 10 employees and operations limited to a single state. By focusing our extensive resources and expertise on the needs of our small-business clients, we offer an affordable, high-quality payroll service.
In addition to personal customer care with each interaction, every client benefits from the expertise of our founder and in-house Certified Public Accountant, Charles Read, when needed. A former Marine and CPA, Charles has built and leads Payroll On A Budget with the precision you would expect for payroll done right the first time, every time.
While we’re known for our accuracy, there are times when a taxing authority or former payroll company makes a mistake and you need to communicate with the IRS or other taxing authority to clear up the matter. Payroll On A Budget offers our clients a unique service in that Charles, as a CPA, as well as other CPAs on staff are able to advocate for you and represent you to the taxing authorities when needed. He’s passionate about ensuring the proper taxes are paid – no more, no less.
We are proud of our over 93 percent client-retention rate and “A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau and are grateful for the loyalty of the hundreds of clients we have had the pleasure of working with over the years.
By providing our service online and eliminating paper from our clients’ payroll process, we offer a green payroll service that upholds one of our company’s founding principles: In everything we do, we are sensitive to our organization’s impact on our planet’s finite natural resources. We continue to pioneer fully secure, 100 percent paperless payroll solutions that promote and complement environmental best practices.
Located in Lewisville, Texas, Payroll On A Budget is part of Custom Payroll Associates, inc. (CPAi), which is a full service, bonded payroll services and companion HR services company serving businesses of all sizes as well as across multiple states since 1991. We currently serve payroll clients in more than 42 states and territories and operate as one of the top 10% in size of independent payroll processors in the country.
Charles Read, CPA, M.B.A., Founder & President
Payroll On A Budget is led by Charles Read. A former U.S. Marine and combat veteran, Charles helped convert the joint military unified pay system in 1968 before becoming a Certified Public Accountant and launching a financial industry career spanning 35 years and involving the processing of more than $1 billion in payroll for small businesses across the country. He is the author of the book, “Starting a New Business: A Simple Guide to Financial, Tax and Accounting Consideration.”
Charles is a member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He is a founding member of the Independent Payroll Processors Association (IPPA). He is active in the Dallas/Fort Worth community as a member of The Rotary Club of Dallas where he has served on the board of directors and as treasurer for 12 years and as a board member and chairman for the Rotary Club of Dallas Foundation.
He is a former member of the Town of Hickory Creek Parks & Zoning board and has served as vice chairman of The Town of Hickory Creek Economic Development Corporation. For several years, Charles volunteered in the Lake Dallas Independent School District teaching a business class to high school students and has written student tutorials regarding basic finance.