Payroll Central is a payroll solutions company dedicated to serving the needs of small businesses.

Based in O’Fallon, Illinois, we offer a comprehensive range of digital payroll services, which we support with friendly customer service, to businesses throughout the country.

In 1997, Kurt Rickhoff walked away from a successful banking and brokerage career to join Rickhoff & Associates, his family’s accounting firm. His first assignment: to prepare the firm for the new century by adding the latest digital accounting technologies.

Kurt began by introducing direct deposit to the firm’s payroll clients. Discovering unmet payroll needs among local small businesses, he and his parents soon set out to build a payroll service bureau for the often-overlooked market.

In 1998, Kurt’s wife, Mindi, joined the firm as it launched Total Business Solutions, a joint venture focused on growing small business payroll business. By combining strong customer service with leading payroll software, the new business quickly moved to the technological leading edge for small businesses.

A decade later, Total Business Solutions rebranded with a name that better fit its mission: Payroll Central Inc. With Mindi at the helm as president, Payroll Central offers many of the same online payroll products offered by large, national companies—but with the personal customer service of a small, down-the-block business.

Payroll Central’s growing team of experts today serves the payroll-related needs of over 300 small businesses. While most are located in the metropolitan St. Louis area, we have the capabilities to serve small businesses in all 50 states.

Our experienced team can tailor a payroll solution to fit any company. Our products and services have grown to include a wide range of ancillary services, from human resource information systems (HRIS) and background screenings, to automated time & attendance and poster compliance solutions. Each can be integrated with our online payroll solutions, giving small businesses the secure, streamlined solutions from a centralized web-based location.

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Meet our team

At least two of us will be working with you and your staff. Please know that we are committed to delivering stellar service, each and every time.

Melinda R Rickhoff, CPP
Melinda R Rickhoff, CPP President mindir@payroll-central.com 618-624-9206

Hello and welcome! I’m Mindi, and I’ve been part of Payroll Central since Day One. In fact, I pre-date Payroll Central, joining my husband Kurt in managing our other company, Rickhoff & Associates, since 1998.

I’ve performed many jobs in my 20-plus years here, from bookkeeping to payroll and tax processing, both for our clients and our own business. To be the best that I can be, I pursued and earned Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification from the American Payroll Association. I also serve on the board of the Execupay Licensee Association and am a member of the Professional Association of Small Business Accountants, the Payroll Group and the Independent Payroll Professional Association.

I love traveling anywhere with my husband and our children, Allison and Carson.  When home, I enjoy spending time in my garden, swimming in our pool and enjoying my coffee on our deck.

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Genevieve Calhoun CPP
Genevieve Calhoun CPP Payroll Client Manager genevieve@payroll-central.com 618-624-9216

Hi, I’m Genevieve! I’ve been a member of the Payroll Central team since 2019.   I started as a Payroll Specialist and transited into the Payroll Tax Specialist in 2022.  In 2023, I was promoted from Payroll Tax Specialist to Managing the entire team.   My main “technical duties” include managing all aspects of a client’s payroll needs.

After 15+ years of processing payrolls for small industrial businesses—many with multi-state operations—I know my job is more than that.   Employees rely on their paychecks, and I’m here to provide the dependable support and service our clients need to meet their obligations.  In 2022, I pass my Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) test from the American Payroll Association!

When I’m off the clock, I am probably spending time with my daughter and 1 year old son.   You may also find me reading a book or trying a new recipe.   Also, don’t be surprised if you sometimes see me rollerblading, hiking and spending time outdoors.

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Madeline Waterson
Madeline Waterson Payroll Specialist madelinew@payroll-central.com 618-624-9223

Greetings!  I am Madeline Waterson and I joined the Payroll Central Team in 2022.   As a payroll specialist, my main focus is to process payrolls and work with our clients on a daily basis to serve their needs.

Being someone who appreciates the value of numbers, I have become a very detailed oriented person.  Small changes make a huge difference and I strive to provide consistent, meaningful work.

I graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE) studying Business Administration in December 2022.

In my spare time, I enjoy painting and nature, especially plants.   I have over a 100 of them which helps me relax.   Of course, spending time with my 2 cats helps me unwind too.

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Sadie Hyatt
Sadie Hyatt Payroll Specialist sadieh@payroll-central.com 618-624-9207

Hi!  I am Sadie and I joined the Payroll Central Team in October 2022.   As a payroll specialist, my main focus is to process payrolls and work with our clients on a daily basis to serve their needs.

I love working in customer service and problem solving!  There is no greater feeling for me than to be able to fix a problem for a client.

I have an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Southwestern Illinois College.   My previous careers were working at a local bank doing investments and processing payroll and bookkeeping for their clients.

In my spare time I enjoy time with friends and family playing sand volleyball and playing video games!

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Alex Heatherly
Alex Heatherly Payroll Specialist alexandrah@payroll-central.com 618-624-9219

Hello!  I am Alex and I joined the Payroll Central Team in 2023.  As a payroll specialist, my main focus is to process payrolls and work with our clients on a daily basis to serve their needs.

Even though my education did not come from a business background, I have over 3 years experience processing payrolls for small businesses.   I have experience in all the aspects of processing payrolls from start to finish including processing quarter and year end returns.

In 2008, I graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my 1 year old son.   When I am not busy with him, I love a good DYI project!

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