RSM UK Payroll: Review, Prices and How They Compare

RSM UK is one of the UK’s largest professional services firms, offering fully outsourced payroll management alongside audit, tax, and consulting services. With over 5,000 partners and staff across around 30 UK locations and a history stretching back to the 19th century, RSM provides enterprise-grade payroll outsourcing for businesses that want a major accountancy firm handling their compliance.

Unlike payroll software where you run payroll yourself, RSM’s service is fully managed – a dedicated payroll executive handles your entire payroll process, from HMRC submissions to payslip generation. This makes RSM a strong choice for mid-sized businesses that want to remove payroll from their operations entirely, though pricing is bespoke and typically higher than software-only alternatives. This guide was last updated in October 2026.

Who Is RSM UK?

RSM UK is the UK’s seventh-largest accountancy firm by revenue and part of one of the world’s largest accounting networks, with over 5,000 partners and staff, around 30 UK locations, and a history dating back to the 19th century.

RSM UK was formerly known as Baker Tilly until rebranding in 2015. The firm is part of RSM International, one of the world’s largest networks of accounting firms, with firms in 120 countries and around 56,000 people worldwide.

In the UK, RSM operates from around 30 locations including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Leeds. Their payroll outsourcing service is just one part of a broad portfolio that includes audit, tax advisory, consulting, restructuring, and legal services.

RSM says its clients range from start-ups to multinationals, with more than 2,500 payroll clients in total. Each client gets a dedicated payroll executive and a core team who learn the business.

RSM Outsourced Payroll Service

RSM’s outsourced payroll includes a dedicated payroll executive, BACS payments, auto-enrolment, a secure online portal, and HMRC-compliant software.

RSM’s payroll outsourcing is a fully managed service. Rather than leaving you to run the software, they assign a dedicated payroll executive who processes your entire payroll on your behalf. RSM also sells its Pay Manager cloud payroll software separately for businesses that keep payroll in-house, but this review covers the outsourced service.

What’s included:

• Dedicated payroll executive assigned to your account
• Secure online portal for viewing payroll data, payslips, and reports
• Full HMRC compliance including RTI submissions
• BACS-approved direct payments to employees
• Auto-enrolment guidance, including assessment and calculation support
• Payslip generation and P45/P60/P11D production
• Reports exportable to PDF, Word, and Excel
• Year-end processing and HMRC submissions

Pricing: RSM does not publish standard pricing. All plans are bespoke and quoted based on the number of employees, pay frequency, complexity, and additional services required. Expect higher costs than DIY software – you are paying for a dedicated professional team, not just a software licence. Contact RSM directly for a tailored quote.

RSM Pros and Cons

RSM suits mid-to-large businesses wanting fully managed payroll from a top-tier UK firm, but bespoke pricing and lack of transparency make comparison difficult.

RSM vs Payroll Alternatives

RSM competes with Moorepay and Cintra for outsourced payroll, while Sage, Xero, and Staffology offer cheaper DIY software alternatives. For larger organisations needing fully integrated HR and payroll, enterprise HCM platforms such as Dayforce sit further upmarket again.

The key decision is whether to run payroll yourself (software) or hand it over entirely (outsourced). If you want to explore outsourced options, see our guide to the best outsourced payroll companies in the UK. For software comparisons, see our best payroll software roundup or, if you run a practice, our review of the best payroll software for accountants.

How to Contact RSM UK

Contact RSM UK for a payroll quote via their website contact form, by calling your nearest office, or by emailing directly.

To discuss RSM’s payroll outsourcing service or request a bespoke quote:

• Contact form: rsmuk.com/contact-us
• Head office: 25 Farringdon Street, London, EC4A 4AB
• Phone: 020 3201 8000 (London office)

RSM has around 30 locations across the UK. Visit their website to find your nearest office and local contact details.

Our Verdict

RSM UK scores 6.3/10 for payroll – a credible, fully managed service from a top-tier firm, but bespoke, unpublished pricing limits accessibility.

RSM UK is a credible choice for businesses that want fully outsourced payroll from a well-established professional services firm. The combination of a dedicated payroll executive, secure portal access, BACS payments, and full HMRC compliance makes it a comprehensive offering. The backing of a top-ten UK firm provides confidence in regulatory expertise and business continuity.

However, the lack of published pricing makes it difficult to compare with alternatives, and the bespoke model suggests costs will be higher than DIY software options. For small businesses with straightforward payroll needs, software like Moneysoft (from £95/year) or Xero Payroll will be far more cost-effective. For mid-sized businesses comparing managed payroll providers, Cintra offers a comparable managed service and is worth quoting alongside RSM.

Clara Wenslow

Finance & Business Services Editor

Clara analyses SME finance and procurement markets, covering business loans, invoice finance, payroll, and related B2B services. She ensures each comparison and guide is transparent and data-driven.

Reviewed by

Sarah Mitchell

B2B Commerce & Finance Reviewer