Central

Key Information

Key Features

• Hiring and payroll
• Government filings and mail
• Benefits
• Business insurance
• Slack integration
• 24/7 risk support

Pricing

• One Plan - $50/month
• Free 30-day trial

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What is Central?

Central is a comprehensive platform designed to automate payroll, benefits, and government filings for startups. It streamlines back-office operations, allowing founders to focus on their core business activities. Central supports hiring and payroll management across the U.S. and contractor payments in over 200 countries, making it a versatile tool for businesses with diverse workforce needs.

Central also offers a range of benefits, including health insurance plans from top carriers, 401(k) plans via Guideline, and life and disability insurance. Additionally, it provides business insurance options such as general liability and workers' compensation. The platform integrates with Slack, enabling easy access to company information and employee data directly within the communication platform.

Features

• Hiring and Payroll: Central facilitates the hiring process by sending offer letters and managing onboarding. It supports payroll operations in all U.S. states and contractor payments globally. Features include payroll tax withholdings, reimbursements, bonuses, and the generation of paystubs, W2s, and 1099s.
• Government Filings and Mail: The platform automates compliance tasks such as payroll state registrations, government mail monitoring, and other state-specific registrations. It also handles foreign qualifications and BOI reporting to FINCEN.
• Benefits: Central offers a variety of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance plans from top carriers. It also provides 401(k) plans through Guideline and life and disability insurance options.
• Business Insurance: This feature includes general liability, workers' compensation, directors and officers insurance, cyber insurance, errors and omissions insurance, and business owner's policy.
• Slack Integration: Central integrates with Slack, allowing users to manage company information, update employee details, track offers and onboarding, adjust salaries and payroll, and understand paystubs directly within Slack.
• 24/7 Risk Support: The platform provides continuous risk support to help manage potential legal and compliance risks.

Pros

• Comprehensive Automation: Central automates a wide range of back-office tasks, reducing administrative burdens.
• Global Support: It supports contractor payments in over 200 countries, making it suitable for businesses with international teams.
• Integrated Benefits: Offers a variety of insurance plans and benefits, simplifying employee management.
• Slack Integration: Enhances user experience by allowing management tasks directly within Slack.
• Responsive Support: Provides quick support to address any issues or queries.

Cons

• Limited Customization: Some users might find the one-size-fits-all approach limiting in terms of customization.
• Dependence on Central: Businesses may become reliant on Central for all back-office operations, which could be a concern if the service experiences disruptions.

Central Pricing

Central offers a straightforward pricing plan:

• One Plan - $50/month per member
• Free 30-day Trial: Available for new users to test the platform's features.
• Inclusions:
• Hiring and payroll management
• Government filings and mail
• Benefits
• Business insurance
• Slack integration
• 24/7 risk support

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What functions does the free trial of Central offer?

The free trial provides access to all of Central's features, including hiring and payroll, government filings, benefits, business insurance, and Slack integration. This allows users to fully experience the platform before committing to a paid plan.

2. How does Central compare to similar tools like Rippling?

Central and Rippling both offer payroll and compliance services, but Central is designed specifically for startups and integrates well with Slack. Rippling might offer more advanced HR features, but Central focuses on simplicity and ease of use for founders.

3. What is the usage limit for the free trial?

The free trial lasts for 30 days, during which users can explore all features without any limitations on usage.

4. Does Central support multilingual and multiplatform use?

Central's platform is primarily designed for English-speaking users and does not explicitly support multiple languages. However, it can be accessed on various devices through web browsers, making it somewhat multiplatform.

5. What are some outstanding features of Central?

One of Central's standout features is its ability to automate compliance tasks, such as government filings and mail monitoring, which helps reduce the risk of fines and legal issues. Additionally, its integration with Slack enhances user convenience by allowing management tasks directly within the communication platform.

6. How can Central be used effectively?

To use Central effectively, businesses should leverage its automation capabilities to streamline back-office operations. This allows founders to focus on core business activities while ensuring compliance and efficient payroll management.

7. What are the prerequisites for using Central?

There are no specific prerequisites for using Central, as it is designed to be user-friendly for founders without extensive HR or finance experience. However, understanding basic payroll and compliance requirements can help users maximize the platform's benefits.

8. Does Central offer a refund policy?

Central does not explicitly mention a refund policy on its website. Users should contact Central's support team for specific inquiries about refunds or cancellations.

9. How does Central handle copyright and licensing?

Central Benefits and Insurance Services LLC is licensed as a health insurance producer in several U.S. jurisdictions, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. However, specific details about copyright policies are not publicly available.

10. What are some common use cases for Central?

Central is commonly used by startups to manage payroll, benefits, and compliance tasks efficiently. It is particularly useful for businesses with international contractors, as it supports payments in over 200 countries.