--- title: Shadow Payroll Platform | Certino description: Our cloud-based shadow payroll platform simplifies the tax management of globally mobile workforces. Manage shadow payroll processes with ease with Certino image: https://www.certino.com/hubfs/march-2021/globals/hero.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.certino.com#main-content) [![Certino Ltd. Logo](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/march-2021/globals/certino.svg)](https://www.certino.com/../?hsLang=en) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/234700/_nov_2019/globals/nav.svg) - [Home](https://www.certino.com) - [Products](https://www.certino.com/shadow-payroll-partners?hsLang=en) - [About us](https://www.certino.com/about-us?hsLang=en) - [Connect with us](https://www.linkedin.com/company/certino/) - [Blog](https://www.certino.com/blog?hsLang=en) - [Contact us](https://www.certino.com/book-a-consultation?hsLang=en) # Messy data in. Payroll-ready numbers out. ##### Turn complex global pay data into figures payroll can trust. Certino brings together compensation data from your existing sources, checks it, and turns it into accurate hypo tax, gross-up and shadow payroll figures. Use our platform, or build it into yours.   [See how it works](https://www.certino.com/shadow-payroll-partners?hsLang=en) ![certino-hero-visual-v3](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/certino-hero-visual-v3.png) ## Trusted by global employers and the firms that advise them ![certino-logo-strip](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/certino-logo-strip.png) ![certino-logo-strip](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/certino-logo-strip.png) ## Why teams choose Certino **From raw compensation data to payroll-ready figures, with every number explained. Global payroll runs on control, not guesswork.** - #### Data checked before it's calculated Certino collects pay, benefits and expenses from your existing sources and flags gaps and errors before they reach a calculation or a payslip.   - #### Same inputs, same answer, every time Every result uses fixed rules and up-to-date logic. That covers regional taxes, social security and local payroll methods, so figures are easy to review, explain and audit.   - #### Works with what you already have Certino sits upstream of your current payroll, tax and HR providers. You don't need to move systems, and your established processes stay as they are.   - #### Use it directly, or power your own service Run Certino in-house, or build it into your own offering. Partners get one trusted calculation layer across every client and country. [About us](https://www.certino.com/about-us?hsLang=en) ![certino-why-visual-v2](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/certino-why-visual-v2.png) ## How Certino fits into the payroll process ![Where Certino fits in the assignment lifecycle](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/certino-lifecycle-dark_2.png) ![Where Certino fits in the assignment lifecycle](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/certino-lifecycle-mobile_1.png) ### Shadow payroll you can check, explain and trust Shadow payroll is complex by nature: multiple countries, changing tax rules, gross-ups, hypo tax and tight deadlines. Certino brings it under control. - **One source of truth for global comp.** Scattered HR, payroll and expense data is centralised and checked well before payroll cut-off. - **Every number shows its workings.** See exactly how each figure was reached, so reviews, employee queries and audits are quick. - **Gross-ups done properly.** Regional taxes, social security, local payroll methods and your company policy are all built into every calculation. - **An annual true-up, not an annual scramble.** Actuals are reconciled against what was reported, then recalculated. - **Works with your existing providers.** Certino sits upstream of your advisers and payroll providers, with no system changes. [Learn more](https://www.certino.com/shadow-payroll-partners?hsLang=en) ![certino-direct-visual-v2](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/certino-direct-visual-v2.png) ### The calculation layer behind your expat payroll service Certino gives tax, payroll and mobility providers one platform to centralise client data, run every cross-border calculation, and deliver payroll-ready figures in any country. It's your service and your brand, running on our engine. - **Every client's data in one place.** Pay, benefits and expenses come together from the systems your clients already use, and are checked before anything is calculated. - **One set of rules for every client.** The same inputs give the same answer, whoever runs it and wherever. You stop rebuilding country logic in spreadsheets. - **Year-end true-ups built in.** Reconcile actuals against what was reported and recalculate, without a separate project every year. - **You keep the client.** Use our platform, or build Certino into yours. We stay in the background. [Contact us](https://www.certino.com/book-a-consultation?hsLang=en) ![certino-partner-visual-v2](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/certino-partner-visual-v2.png) ## What makes Certino different ![certino-different-engine-wide](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/certino-different-engine-wide.png) ### A specialist engine, not a bolt-on - **Built for cross-border pay from day one** Hypo tax, gross-ups, shadow payroll and true-ups are the core product. They aren't add-ons to a domestic payroll system or a general tax tool. - **One right answer, every time** Certino's logic is deterministic. There are no judgement calls hidden, and results don't drift between teams, advisers or countries. - **Rules updated once, used everywhere** When tax rules change, they're updated centrally in the engine. Every calculation for every client uses the latest logic. ![certino-different-scale-wide](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/certino-different-scale-wide.png) ### Built to run every month, at scale - **Scale, not heroics** Monthly runs don't depend on one expert, manual fixes or late nights before cut-off. Adding countries or assignees doesn't add chaos. - **A layer, not a replacement** Certino sits upstream of payroll and tax delivery. Your advisers and payroll providers stay exactly where they are. - **Built to power firms, not compete with them** Tax, payroll and mobility providers use Certino behind their own service. We never go after their clients. “ > We work on a country-by-country basis, so delivering a single report in the Certino system and immediately providing shadow payroll results was very advantageous to us. This combination of benefits makes Certino unique as a shadow payroll provider. ![benjamin-mueller-2](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/benjamin-mueller-2.jpg) **Benjamin Mueller** Senior Tax Specialist ![Siemens](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/logo-siemens-2.png) > Certino has been a game changer for Cartus and our clients in the mobility space. What was once a complex, highly manual process is now more efficient, with fewer touchpoints and a better overall experience for our clients and their mobile employees. ![beth-schaedel-1](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/beth-schaedel-1.jpeg) **Elizabeth Schaedel** Director Global Wage and Compensation Reporting ![Cartus](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/logo-cartus-1.png) ‹ › ![iso-27001-1](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/iso-27001-1.png) ![aicpa](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/march-2021/globals/aicpa.png) ![gdpr](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/gdpr.png) ![certino-white](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/march-2021/globals/certino-white.svg) ###### Links - [Shadow Payroll solutions for your clients](https://www.certino.com/shadow-payroll-partners) - [About us](https://www.certino.com/about-us) - [Research & Insight](https://www.certino.com/blog) ###### Contact - [info@certino.com](mailto:enquiries@certino.com) - [![linkedin](https://www.certino.com/hubfs/linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/certino/) © 2026 Certino Ltd. 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