Paper Trails

About Paper Trails

A Maine small business offering expert-led payroll, human resource and compliance services.

about paper trails

Paper Trails Story

Paper Trails was founded in 2004 to relieve small businesses’ financial preparation headaches and to allow you to work smarter no matter your size. While human resource management and payroll can be stressful, we are here to help run your business and to give you the time to do what you want to do – work your business! 

We are a local small business without an 800 number that consists of a team of fun and local experts purveying convenient, high tech, compliant services. We live, work and party right here in the southern Maine community, so when a question or need arises, we are right around the corner! 

From running payroll, to human resource and compliance services, Paper Trails allows you to handle the work, while we handle the paperwork.

Our Mission

Paper Trails offers intuitive, trusted, bespoke and forward-thinking payroll, human resources and compliance services to the backbone of Maine and beyond, which are our small and mid-sized businesses. 

Our Vision

The business world is rapidly evolving.  We are designed to always be looking around the next corner for future business challenges and offer solutions and insight to our clients who have built and support our local communities. 

Our Common Purpose

We empower employers to build a business and workforce for today, tomorrow and beyond.  

Built on Core Values

Core Value

Trusted Partnership

We build enduring relationships through responsive, accountable, and empowering service by acting as our clients’ trusted advisors and subject matter experts, offering guidance and support at every stage of their business journey. 

Core Value 2

Insightful Expertise

We are committed to becoming industry leaders and educators who ensure our clients, partners, and communities are prepared to navigate the complexities of business, workforce management, regulations and compliance with confidence. 

Core Value 3

Responsible Innovation

We aspire to meet the evolving needs of our clients while maintaining our caring, service focused culture. We strive to find better methods of service to free our clients of the tasks of today, so together, we can focus on the promise of tomorrow.

Core Value 4

Operational Excellence

We harness the power of technology and relentlessly pursue operational efficiency to lighten the burden on our internal teams and our clients while aiming to deliver services that exceed expectations and optimize available resources.

Core Value 5

Neighborhood Promise

Our clients are our neighbors; we see them at the grocery store and great local events. The Paper Trails team is committed to returning success to our community and neighbors through volunteering, contributions, and in-kind support.

2023 by the Numbers

900+

Amazing Clients

12,000+

Employees served

$305,000,000+

Wages and Taxes Paid

What Clients are Saying

5 star reviews

Our Team

Chris Cluff

Chris Cluff

President
Jeff Burnham

Jeff Burnham

Sales Manager
Michelle Aldridge

Michelle Aldridge

Payroll Operations Manager
Katie Hodgkins

Kate Hodgkins

Tax & Compliance Manager
Teresa Morneau

Teresa Gamache

Implementation Manager
Dawn Pahel - HR Consultant

Dawn Pahel

HR Consultant
Drew Lupardo

Drew Lupardo

Account Executive
Kim Miller

Kim Miller

Payroll Processor
Carrie Goodness

Carrie Goodness

Payroll Processor
Courtney Griffin

Courtney Griffin

Payroll Processor
Jed Brown

Jed Brown

Payroll Processor
Jon Portanova

Jon Portanova

Marketing Director
Stephen Fisher - Payroll Ops

Steven Fisher

Payroll Operations
Tom Schmalz

Tom Schmalz

Account Executive

You handle the work. We’ll handle the paperwork.

We’ll stay in the weeds to manage your payroll, Human Resources, and compliance needs.
Maine payroll and HR paperwork