Stax.ai joins forces with Payroll Integrations to automate TPA data workflows

Automation replaces manual effort in payroll data processing

A new collaboration between Stax.ai and Payroll Integrations aims to streamline one of the most time-consuming challenges faced by retirement Third-Party Administrators (TPAs): manual payroll data collection and entry. Traditionally, TPAs spend significant time exchanging emails with plan sponsors and payroll providers to gather payroll and employee census data—only to manually reformat and input the information into their systems. This process not only consumes resources but also increases the risk of data inconsistencies and calculation errors.

With the integration now in place, TPAs using Stax.ai can tap into Payroll Integrations’ extensive network of pre-built connections with major U.S. payroll companies, including ADP, Paychex, and QuickBooks Online. Through this network, they can collect, standardize, and sync payroll data in real time. This development removes the need for manual back-and-forth communication and allows for more accurate and timely data flow, easing the burden on TPA operations.

Real-time access enhances accuracy and compliance

The collaboration enables plan sponsors to connect to payroll providers directly through the Stax.ai Client Portal, supporting both 180- and 360-degree data integration models. According to Stax.ai Founder and CEO Naru Muraleedharan, this approach helps TPAs "streamline operations, enhance data accuracy, and focus on delivering exceptional client service." He also emphasized that TPAs now have the capability to offer full-circle integrations between payroll providers and record-keepers, which further reduces time spent on administrative work.

Payroll Integrations Co-founder and CEO Doug Sabella highlighted the importance of shifting TPAs’ attention from repetitive manual tasks to more strategic initiatives. He noted that real-time data access directly within TPA workflows can "drive more efficiencies and data accuracy across all of their processes."

Platforms combine to support over a million employees

Stax.ai, based in Scottsdale, provides automation tools tailored for retirement plan administrators, including its Trust Accounting (TA) product that extracts data from brokerage statements and populates reconciliation spreadsheets. Its Client Experience (CX) platform further enhances service delivery with features like smart email management and automated census scrubbing.

Meanwhile, Payroll Integrations, headquartered in San Diego, powers connections between payroll and benefits providers for more than 5,000 businesses across the United States, reaching over one million employees. Its API infrastructure supports seamless integration with retirement and HSA providers like Empower, Transamerica, Principal, VOYA, and John Hancock.

The partnership is expected to ease the administrative load on TPAs and improve the overall flow of payroll data in retirement plan servicing—without added cost to plan sponsors.