--- title: Machen McChesney Blog | Amber Cochran Saxon (5) description: Amber Malik is a payroll specialist with FocusPay Solutions. Amber manages client payroll portfolios and assists with payroll processing and filing. (5) --- [Family of Services](http://machenmcchesney.com/about-us/family-of-companies/)  |  [CPA & Business Advisory](http://machenmcchesney.com)  |  [Payroll, HR & Benefits](http://focuspaysolutions.com/)  |  [Wealth Management](http://machenmcchesney.com/services/financial-planning-and-wealth-mangement-services/) Auburn-Opelika (334) 887-7022 | Montgomery (334) 244-8900 [![Machen McChesney](https://info.machen.cpa/hs-fs/hub/471263/file-2521950511.png?width=279&name=file-2521950511.png "Machen McChesney")](http://machenmcchesney.com) Search this site on Google Search Google Search this site on Google Search Google - [Client Portal](https://machenmcchesney.sharefile.com/Authentication/Login) - [1040 Electronic Organizer](https://www.my1040data.com/account/login/HT7902990) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/675439?trk=tyah&trkInfo=idx%3A1-1-1%2CtarId%3A1424436970395%2Ctas%3Amachen+mcchesney) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/machenmcchesney) - [Google](https://plus.google.com/101356546927388458481) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/machenmcchesney) - About Us - [Welcome](http://machenmcchesney.com/about-us/welcome/) - [Affiliations and Associations](http://machenmcchesney.com/about-us/affiliations-and-associations/) - [Community Events](http://machenmcchesney.com/about-us/community-events/) - [Family of Companies](http://machenmcchesney.com/about-us/family-of-companies/) - [History](http://machenmcchesney.com/about-us/firm-profile-history/) - [Mission and Values](http://machenmcchesney.com/about-us/mission-and-values/) - [Team Directory](http://machenmcchesney.com/about-us/team-directory/) - Services - [Accounting & Outsourcing](http://machenmcchesney.com/services/accounting-outsourcing/) - [Audit and Assurance Services](http://machenmcchesney.com/services/audit-assurance/) - [Business Advisory Services](http://machenmcchesney.com/services/business-advisory/) - [Business Valuation Services](http://machenmcchesney.com/services/business-valuation-services/) - [Family Office Services](http://machenmcchesney.com/services/family-care/) - [Financial Planning & Wealth Mangement Services](http://machenmcchesney.com/services/financial-planning-and-wealth-mangement-services/) - [Individual Services](http://machenmcchesney.com/services/individuals/) - [Taxation](http://machenmcchesney.com/services/taxation/) - Who We Serve - [Construction & Real Estate](http://machenmcchesney.com/industries/construction-real-estate/) - [Credit Unions](http://machenmcchesney.com/industries/credit-unions/) - [Government & Not-For-Profits](http://machenmcchesney.com/industries/governmental-not-for-profit/) - [Healthcare & Professional Services](http://machenmcchesney.com/industries/healthcare-and-professional-services/) - [Hospitality, Restaurant & Retail](http://machenmcchesney.com/industries/hospitality-restaurant-retail/) - [Manufacturing, Distribution & Automotive](http://machenmcchesney.com/industries/manufacturing-distribution-automotive/) - [Success Stories](http://machenmcchesney.com/success-stories) - Resources - [Blog](https://info.machenmcchesney.com/blog) - [E-Newsletter Archive](http://machenmcchesney.com/resources/e-newsletter-archive/) - [Financial Calculators](http://machenmcchesney.com/resources/financial-calculators/) - [Financial Terms Glossary](http://machenmcchesney.com/resources/financial-terms-glossary/) - [Helpful Articles](http://machenmcchesney.com/resources/newsletter/) - [Tax Calendar](http://machenmcchesney.com/resources/tax-calendar/) - [Tax Links](http://machenmcchesney.com/resources/tax-links/) - [Track Your Refund](http://machenmcchesney.com/resources/track-your-refund/) - [Sign Up for Our E-Newsletter](http://machenmcchesney.com/resources/e-newsletter/) - [Subscribe to Our Blog](http://machenmcchesney.com/resources/subscribe-to-the-machen-mcchesney-blog/) - News & Events - [Press Releases](http://machenmcchesney.com/news-events/press-releases/) - [Upcoming Events](http://machenmcchesney.com/news-events/upcoming-events/) - Careers - [Our Culture](http://machenmcchesney.com/careers/culture/) - [Benefits](http://machenmcchesney.com/careers/benefits/) - [Our Stories](http://machenmcchesney.com/careers/our-stories/) - [Current Openings](http://machenmcchesney.com/careers/current-openings-send-resume/) - [Accounting Internship Opportunities](http://machenmcchesney.com/careers/students/) - Contact Us - [Auburn-Opelika Office](http://machenmcchesney.com/contact-us/contact-us-auburn-office/) - [Montgomery Office](http://machenmcchesney.com/contact-us/contact-us-montgomery-office/) # Returning Value Blog ## Amber Cochran Saxon Amber Malik is a payroll specialist with FocusPay Solutions. Amber manages client payroll portfolios and assists with payroll processing and filing. ### Recent Posts ## [Staying Current on Payroll Rules](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/staying-current-on-payroll-rules) ![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Amber%20Cochran%202025%20update%20.jpg) Posted by [Amber Cochran Saxon](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/amber-malik) on Jan 11, 2023 [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Payroll%20-%201179949911-1.jpeg)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/staying-current-on-payroll-rules) Hiring staff? Good for you! It means your business is thriving. Now is the time to get up to speed or reacquaint yourself with any labor laws you’ll need to be compliant with. Labor laws were created to protect employees’ rights. If you’re vigilant, you can avoid financial headaches. Here’s some advice to stay on track with labor law requirements: [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/staying-current-on-payroll-rules) Posted in [Payroll, HR & Benefits](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/payroll-hr-benefits) ## [Companies Need to Pay Attention to Gen Z](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/companies-neet-to-pay-attention-to-gen-z) ![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Amber%20Cochran%202025%20update%20.jpg) Posted by [Amber Cochran Saxon](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/amber-malik) on Jun 22, 2022 [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/gen%20z%20-1141559972-1.jpeg)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/companies-neet-to-pay-attention-to-gen-z) Finding talent is an issue for nearly all businesses. There are many reasons for this, but the top three may be (1) adjusting to a new normal that is not yet fully formed, (2) the generational shift in leadership, and (3) the scarcity of talent. The result of this confluence of issues is that leaders must be able to be flexible. One of the ways they need to be flexible is learning new ways to manage a multigenerational workforce. [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/companies-neet-to-pay-attention-to-gen-z) Posted in [Payroll, HR & Benefits](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/payroll-hr-benefits) ## [Payroll Compliance: The Essentials](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/payroll-compliance-the-essentials) ![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Amber%20Cochran%202025%20update%20.jpg) Posted by [Amber Cochran Saxon](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/amber-malik) on Jun 02, 2022 [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Payroll%20-481094259-1.jpeg)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/payroll-compliance-the-essentials) Payroll compliance is about meeting your payroll obligations as required by law. Learn how your organization can stay compliant. [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/payroll-compliance-the-essentials) Posted in [Payroll, HR & Benefits](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/payroll-hr-benefits) ## [Payroll Tax Rates and Contribution Limits for 2022](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/payroll-tax-rates-and-contribution-limits-for-2022-1) ![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Amber%20Cochran%202025%20update%20.jpg) Posted by [Amber Cochran Saxon](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/amber-malik) on Feb 15, 2022 [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Payroll%20taxes-1317447263-1.jpeg)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/payroll-tax-rates-and-contribution-limits-for-2022-1) The payroll tax rates and contribution limits for 2022 have been released, and there are lots of changes. Below are the federal payroll tax rates and benefits contribution limits for 2022. [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/payroll-tax-rates-and-contribution-limits-for-2022-1) Posted in [Payroll, HR & Benefits](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/payroll-hr-benefits) ## [Payroll Tax Rates and Contribution Limits for 2022](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/payroll-tax-rates-and-contribution-limits-for-2022) ![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Amber%20Cochran%202025%20update%20.jpg) Posted by [Amber Cochran Saxon](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/amber-malik) on Dec 14, 2021 [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Payroll%20-%201161372511-1.jpeg)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/payroll-tax-rates-and-contribution-limits-for-2022) Below are federal payroll tax rates and benefits contribution limits for 2022. [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/payroll-tax-rates-and-contribution-limits-for-2022) Posted in [Payroll, HR & Benefits](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/payroll-hr-benefits) ## [The Tidal Wave of Employee Mobility](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/the-tidal-wave-of-employee-mobility) ![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Amber%20Cochran%202025%20update%20.jpg) Posted by [Amber Cochran Saxon](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/amber-malik) on Oct 08, 2021 [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/reimagine%20-1223290825-1.jpeg)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/the-tidal-wave-of-employee-mobility) **WHAT’S NEXT FOR EMPLOYEE MOBILITY?** For many businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the future of work. Businesses are reevaluating their needs for travel, talent acquisition, and office space. Some have even transitioned away from the physical office entirely and opted to work 100% remotely. Businesses suited for remote work may be looking to hire the right person for the job, regardless of location; however, the ability to adopt a hybrid or fully remote model may be limited by industry. For example, a [2020 study](https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/whats-next-for-remote-work-an-analysis-of-2000-tasks-800-jobs-and-nine-countries) by McKinsey found that the finance, management, professional services, and information sectors have the highest potential for remote work with no loss of productivity. [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/the-tidal-wave-of-employee-mobility) Posted in [Payroll, HR & Benefits](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/payroll-hr-benefits) ## [Health Insurance Plans and Alternatives for Small Businesses](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/health-insurance-plans-and-alternatives-for-small-businesses) ![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Amber%20Cochran%202025%20update%20.jpg) Posted by [Amber Cochran Saxon](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/amber-malik) on Aug 19, 2021 [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Health%20Insurance%20-1071752716-1.jpeg)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/health-insurance-plans-and-alternatives-for-small-businesses) Employer-based health insurance costs have increased modestly since 2012 — between 3% and 5% annually for family coverage, according to a 2020 report by Kaiser Family Foundation. These changes have added up over the past decade, and employers and employees are now paying 155% of the health care costs they were paying before, even as wages have stagnated. [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/health-insurance-plans-and-alternatives-for-small-businesses) Posted in [Payroll, HR & Benefits](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/payroll-hr-benefits) ## [Want a Paperless Payroll?](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/you-want-a-paperless-payroll) ![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Amber%20Cochran%202025%20update%20.jpg) Posted by [Amber Cochran Saxon](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/amber-malik) on Jun 22, 2021 [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Payroll-1299179190-1.jpeg)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/you-want-a-paperless-payroll) Paperless payroll is a paper-free payroll process that has become hugely popular in recent years. But despite the groundswell of support for paperless payroll solutions, employers should examine the details before making the switch.  [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/you-want-a-paperless-payroll) Posted in [Payroll, HR & Benefits](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/payroll-hr-benefits) ## [DOL Withdraws Independent Contractor Rule](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/dol-withdraws-independent-contractor-rule) ![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Amber%20Cochran%202025%20update%20.jpg) Posted by [Amber Cochran Saxon](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/amber-malik) on May 12, 2021 [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/BREAKING%20NEWS-1216482355-1.jpeg)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/dol-withdraws-independent-contractor-rule) In May 2021, the Department of Labor withdrew the “Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act” final rule. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, "The DOL has traditionally analyzed a number of factors to consider whether a worker is an independent contractor or employee and looked at 'the totality of the circumstances.' The withdrawn rule would have applied a more-limited economic-reality test." [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/dol-withdraws-independent-contractor-rule) Posted in [Payroll, HR & Benefits](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/payroll-hr-benefits) ## [Why You Need a Payroll Continuity Plan](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/why-you-need-a-payroll-continuity-plan) ![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Amber%20Cochran%202025%20update%20.jpg) Posted by [Amber Cochran Saxon](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/amber-malik) on Feb 11, 2021 [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hubfs/Payroll-1145882040-1.jpeg)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/why-you-need-a-payroll-continuity-plan) Payroll is a mission-critical function — one that must be done even amid disasters or emergencies, such as: [Full Story](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/why-you-need-a-payroll-continuity-plan) Posted in [Payroll, HR & Benefits](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/payroll-hr-benefits) [Previous](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/amber-malik/page/4) [Next](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/author/amber-malik/page/6) Search this site on Google Search Google ### Recent Posts ### Subscribe to Blog ### Posts by Category - [Business Tax (356)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/business-tax) - [Business Advisory (238)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/business-advisory) - [Payroll, HR & Benefits (124)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/payroll-hr-benefits) - [Audit & Assurance (113)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/audit-assurance) - [Accounting & Outsourcing (81)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/accounting-outsourcing) - [Individual Tax (75)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/individual-tax) - [Tax Planning (33)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/tax-planning) - [Tax Updates (25)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/tax-updates) - [Retirement & Wealth Management Planning (18)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/retirement-wealth-management-planning) - [Taxation (15)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/taxation) - [Alerts (13)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/alerts) - [Business Valuation (11)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/business-valuation) - [News & Events (11)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/news-events) - [Tax News (11)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/tax-news) - [Individual Tax Planning (10)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/individual-tax-planning) - [Not For Profit (10)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/not-for-profit) - [Retirement Planning (9)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/retirement-planning) - [Estate Planning (8)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/estate-planning) - [Manufacturing Industry Insights (7)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights) - [Individuals (1)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/individuals) - [Insider (1)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/insider) - [Professional Standard News (1)](https://info.machen.cpa/blog/topic/professional-standard-news) see all [![Returning\_Value](https://info.machen.cpa/hs-fs/file-2504250850-jpg/Machen-Blog-Image/Returning_Value.jpg)](http://machenmcchesney.com/about-us/mission-and-values/) - [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hs-fs/file-2486483166-jpg/Machen-Blog-Image/aicpa.jpg)](http://www.aicpa.org/Pages/default.aspx) - [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hs-fs/file-2494475845-jpg/Machen-Blog-Image/bdo.jpg)](http://www.bdo.com/alliance/) - [![](https://info.machen.cpa/hs-fs/file-2494475855-jpg/Machen-Blog-Image/nacva.jpg)](http://www.nacva.com/) - [![](https://machenmcchesney.com/img/readers-choice2019.jpg)](https://oanow.upickem.net/engine/Winners.aspx?contestid=104699) - [![actbf-1](https://info.machen.cpa/hs-fs/hubfs/actbf-1.jpg?width=121&name=actbf-1.jpg)](http://www.accountingtoday.com/) - [![pa400](https://info.machen.cpa/hs-fs/hubfs/pa400.jpg?width=121&name=pa400.jpg)](http://insidepublicaccounting.com/) 1820 East University Drive, Auburn, AL 36830 | Tel: (334) 887-7022 | Fax: (334) 887-7221 1761 Taliaferro Trail, Montgomery, AL 36117 | Tel: (334) 244-8900 | Fax: (334) 364-0927 - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/675439?trk=tyah&trkInfo=idx%3A1-1-1%2CtarId%3A1424436970395%2Ctas%3Amachen+mcchesney) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/machenmcchesney) - [Google](https://plus.google.com/101356546927388458481) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/machenmcchesney) [Powered by Skoda Minotti Strategic Marketing](http://marketing.skodaminotti.com)