Case Study with CFO360

When it comes to payroll systems, few people know what truly works better than those who manage them every day. We spoke to Montaque Swanepoel, a chartered accountant and Group Managing Director at CFO360, to learn more about his experience with SimplePay – a platform he has used for nearly a decade.

Here’s what he had to say about why he chose SimplePay, how it has helped his firm, and why he continues to recommend it today.

How easy is it to use SimplePay?

Montaque: “It’s pretty simple to use. If you’re an accountant or payroll professional, you can sign up and find your way around within minutes. There’s a low learning curve, which is ideal – even my interviewer, who’s a graphic designer and not an accountant, found it easy to use.”

Why it matters to our customers: We had to laugh at this one – what do graphic designers know about payroll? But the point stands: simplicity isn’t only for experts. SimplePay’s intuitive design makes it easy for anyone to get started, regardless of their background.

Did you require any integrations when you started using SimplePay?

Montaque: “At the time, we were using Xero, so integration was something we considered – but it wasn’t a dealbreaker. SimplePay could post journals, which was the main requirement. It also supports payment exports for various South African banking platforms, which is very useful.”

Why it matters to our customers: SimplePay works smoothly with Xero and local banking platforms, making payroll processing straightforward and efficient.

How important was customer support in your decision?

Montaque: “It was huge. We could pick up the phone and talk to someone in seconds – and we still can today. There is no need to book time or sit on hold for hours, or even log a ticket. That quick response is invaluable.”

Why it matters to our customers: Having access to immediate, human support can make all the difference, especially as payroll deadlines approach.

Do you still find their support helpful now?

Montaque: “Yes. Our team typically emails now, but we haven’t had any unresolved issues. And there’s still no extra charge for support, which is great.”

Why it matters to our customers: Support remains responsive, consistent, and included in your subscription – no matter how much your business grows.

Was implementation straightforward?

Montaque: “Yes. We didn’t migrate – we started adding clients into SimplePay from day one. For clients we do migrate, it’s also easy. The only complexity is year-to-date balances, but that’s standard across payroll systems.”

Why it matters to our customers: Whether starting fresh or moving over from another system, the setup is quick and easy.

How does tax complexity affect software choices?

Montaque: “The UK and South Africa are similar – maybe 70–80% alike. The US is a minefield. We use Gusto there. Every US state is like its own country.”

Why it matters to our customers: Payroll software must align with local tax laws. SimplePay is built for South Africa’s system but is also used by many customers in Singapore and Ireland, who find it just as easy to use.

Does SimplePay update tax law changes automatically?

Montaque: “Yes, for supported regions. For South Africa, it’s very reliable. That gives us confidence in compliance.”

Why it matters to our customers: Keeping up with tax legislation is non-negotiable – and with SimplePay, you don’t have to worry about it.

What features stand out the most?

Montaque: “I’ll mention a few:

• Payslip flexibility – Choose which fields to show/hide.
• Employee self-service – Clients love the access.
• Goal Seek tool – Calculate backwards from net to gross – huge time-saver for anyone trying to achieve a specific net salary without getting a headache.”

Why it matters to our customers: Smart features like these cut down on admin time, making life easier and more convenient.

Has the team been responsive to feedback?

Montaque: “Yes, they’ve been great. We requested more flexible journal entries – like pay point-specific postings – and they built them in. They either implement changes or offer smart workarounds.”

Why it matters to our customers: Your input is valued. We listen, improve, and shape SimplePay around what our customers really need.

How would you rate the pricing and ROI?

Montaque: “Very happy. The pricing is simple – we just pay per active employee. It’s easy to budget. Compared to legacy systems like Pastel Payroll, it’s far more cost-effective.”

Why it matters to our customers: Our pricing is straightforward and transparent – no surprises, just value.

What advice would you give to others considering SimplePay?

Montaque: “Just try it. There’s a 30-day free trial, and the benefits become clear quickly. People resist change, but once they use SimplePay, they don’t go back.”

Why it matters to our customers: Sometimes the best way to decide is to give it a go – and with a free trial, there’s nothing to lose.

Final thoughts?

Montaque: “We have been with SimplePay for about eight years and still recommend it. It’s been a great relationship – symbiotic, really.”

Why it matters to our customers: Long-term partnerships like this show what’s possible when service, support, and innovation go hand in hand.

In Summary

Montaque’s experience highlights what sets us apart: SimplePay really does live up to its name. From seamless onboarding and responsive support to helpful features and clear pricing, we provide everything a modern payroll system should.

If you aren’t a SimplePay member yet, but want to experience compliant and simple payroll, take advantage of our free, 30-day trial by signing up here.

Take care,

Team SimplePay