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 4,600 staff across 30+ UK offices and a history stretching back to the 19th century, RSM provides enterprise-grade payroll outsourcing for businesses that want a Big 6 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.

Who Is RSM UK?

RSM UK is the UK’s 6th largest accounting and professional services firm, with 4,600+ staff, 30+ offices, 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, the world’s 6th largest global network of accounting firms, with operations in over 120 countries and 51,000+ staff worldwide.

In the UK, RSM operates from offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Leeds, and 25+ other locations. Their payroll outsourcing service is just one part of a broad portfolio that includes audit, tax advisory, consulting, restructuring, and legal services.

RSM’s payroll clients range from SMEs with 20-50 employees to large organisations with complex multi-site payroll requirements. Their client testimonials emphasise consistency, dedicated account management, and seamless handovers when their usual payroll executive is unavailable.

RSM Outsourced Payroll Service

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

RSM’s payroll outsourcing is a fully managed service. Rather than providing software for you to run, they assign a dedicated payroll executive who processes your entire payroll on your behalf.

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 management and pension administration
• Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) processing
• 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 30+ offices across the UK. Visit their website to find your nearest office and local contact details.

Our Verdict

RSM UK scores 6/10 for payroll – a credible, fully managed service from a top-tier firm, but lack of pricing transparency and high cost limit 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 Big 6 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 significantly higher than DIY software options. For small businesses with straightforward payroll needs, software like Moneysoft (from £90/year) or Xero Payroll will be far more cost-effective. For mid-sized businesses wanting managed payroll without Big 6 pricing, Cintra offers a comparable managed service.

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