HRMS Software Features Every HR Team in Singapore Should Know

Introduction 

Some people think running HR is quite an easy task. But running an HR is nowhere near easy, especially for SMEs. There are a lot of things that HR has to manage. 

Like if we talk about here in Singapore, one day you are figuring out CPF contributions, the next you’re dealing with IRAS forms or with MOM rules. 

Then there is payroll. It takes up many days for its calculation and managing other things related to it. If you make even a single mistake, you could be fined and even land in legal trouble. 

That’s exactly why more SMEs prefer an HRMS. It manages the compliance-heavy tasks and brings payroll and HR together. This way, an HRMS saves you 10-12 hours every week. Imagine what you could do with that extra time.

So, if you’re wondering what really makes a good HRMS in Singapore, let’s break down the must-have features you shouldn’t ignore.

Automated Payroll & Compliance

Payroll is one of the most stressful HR tasks in Singapore. You have to make sure that your CPF contributions, SDL calculations, IRAS form submissions, and every payment are correct. You should have the HRMS, which helps you with these things.

Key features to look for:

• CPF and SDL auto-calculations based on statutory rules. This way, you will not have to keep checking every figure again and again.
• Automatic generation and e-submission of IRAS forms like IR8A and IR21
• Direct bank integration for smooth and error-free salary transfers
• Alerts that remind you of deadlines or flag any anomalies before they become issues

Also Read: 10 Benefits of Using an HRIS For Your Organization

Payroll Before vs After HRMS

Leave & Attendance Management

Did you know Singapore’s Employment Act requires different leave types like sick, childcare, maternity, and more? Now, if you try to track all of these things manually, it is very easy to end up in confusion and disputes. 

HRMS features that help:

• You get built-in statutory leave types with MOM-compliant policies. With these, you don’t have to worry about missing any rules.
• There are self-service leave applications and digital approvals that remove the need for paper forms.
• You also get Integration with attendance systems like biometric or mobile clock-in for accurate records.
• Then there are Overtime and rest-day compliance checks, which keep you on the safe side of MOM regulations.

Employee Self-Service & Mobile Access

With HRMS, you get employee self-service and mobile access. This feature is loved most by the employees because I don’t think any employee wants to keep asking HR for a payslip, check their leave balance, or ask about a claim. And for HR, answering those same questions over and over again takes a lot of time. 

What it looks like in practice:

• Staff can get their payslips, CPF details, and leave balances on their phone.
• Managers approve leave and claims instantly through their phone.
• Employees can update their own bank or contact details without having to email HR.

Claims & Reimbursements

Have you noticed how expense claims can go on for weeks when they’re handled manually? It is a tiresome process as well, and by the time you are done collecting the receipts and signing the forms, your employees are already tired. Waiting for too long. A digital HRMS can speed all of that up and still keep everything compliant.

Key HRMS features:

• Mobile receipt capture with OCR, so claim details are auto-filled instead of typing them. 
• Multi-level approval workflows with built-in spending caps.
• Auto-sync with payroll, which means the reimbursements will be on time.
• Digital audit trails that make finance reporting easier.

Reporting & HR Analytics

One of the biggest advantages of an HRMS is the data. You get real-time dashboards and reports that help you make decisions.

What to expect:

• Dashboards that show turnover, overtime, leave liability, and headcount costs at a glance.
• Custom reports tailored for MOM and CPF compliance (no more last-minute scrambling).
• Predictive insights that help you plan your workforce before issues even show up.

Also Read: What Makes a Great HRMS in Singapore? Top Features to Look For

Scalability, Integration & Security

Your HRMS really should be able to grow with you. Today, you might have 50 employees, but what happens when you scale to 200 or expand into Malaysia? Then you won’t have the time or capital to replace your entire system because your existing one can’t keep up. At the same time, employee data has to stay secure no matter how fast you grow.

Core capabilities include:

• All-in-one integration of payroll, leave, claims, and attendance (no more juggling multiple tools)
• Connectivity with accounting systems, banks, and even CPF/IRAS APIs for smoother compliance
• ISO 27001 certification and PDPA compliance to keep employee data safe
• Cloud-based scalability, so multi-location operations are easy to manage

Conclusion

So, to wrap this up, for SMEs in Singapore, an HRMS is your compliance partner and your efficiency booster. It automates payroll and handles MOM and IRAS rules for you. This way, it does a lot of major HR tasks and saves you a lot of time while keeping you fully compliant.

If you’re still doing everything manually by filling up spreadsheets using days and weeks, it is high time you switch to an HRMS. The right HRMS will help you save time every week and remove the room for any errors. 

In the end, I will just say that an HRMS tool is not just for reducing your admin work, it is for helping you to grow your business with confidence.

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