Across the UK, public sector bodies are moving fast with digital change. Councils, NHS trusts, and government departments are all under pressure to work more efficiently, strengthen security, and deliver better services for citizens, while managing tighter budgets and stricter regulations.
At the centre of this change is how money moves: paying staff and suppliers, collecting council tax or charges, and handling regular income such as Direct Debits. These tasks are often slow, manual, and spread across disconnected systems. This is where SmarterPay makes a difference.
SmarterPay offers modern, secure, and flexible cloud-based payment solutions. Our platform helps public sector organisations simplify the way they process payments and collections. From payroll to council tax, we bring everything together in one place, cutting down on admin without forcing you to replace existing systems.
This isn’t just about new software. It’s about giving teams the right tools to achieve better results. By moving payment processes into the cloud, organisations reduce the risks tied to on-site infrastructure and gain secure access from any browser. That flexibility means faster response times, stronger continuity, and less downtime. This is essential for hybrid working and teams spread across locations.
Tackling Fraud with Secure Sign-Up
One of the biggest risks for public sector finance teams is Direct Debit fraud. This is often caused when account details are entered incorrectly or used dishonestly online. SmarterPay reduces this risk with a feature called Secure Sign-Up.
Here’s how it works. When someone sets up a Direct Debit, they are redirected to their own bank for verification. This confirms that the account genuinely belongs to them, so only the rightful holder can approve the payment. It protects both the resident and the organisation.
For the public sector, where trust is key, this is a major safeguard. It blocks fraud at the start and helps avoid failed payments or disputes later. It also makes sign-up easier for residents, as their account details are filled in automatically, removing the need to type long numbers and reducing errors.
Secure Sign-Up is backed up by extra checks, including account name validation and modulus checking. These add further accuracy and help cut down payment failures. The result is a proactive, secure approach that matches public sector priorities for fraud prevention and data protection.
One Platform for All Payments
SmarterPay supports the full payment cycle – Direct Debits, Direct Credits, and card payments. This is managed through one secure online platform.
Instead of switching between multiple systems, SmarterPay connects everything. Whether it’s payroll, housing payments, or citizen charges, our solution brings them together, reducing duplication and manual work.
That means:
- Fewer errors
- Faster approvals
- Easier reporting
- More time for teams to focus on higher-value work
SmarterPay also links with tools like Salesforce and fits around your existing finance, HR, or billing systems. You don’t need to replace what you already have, our solution adapts to your environment.
With our open API, you can go further by integrating in real time with your systems. From uploading Bacs files to automating Direct Debits or managing reconciliation, the API keeps data consistent, reduces manual input, and ensures smoother processes.
Designed for Public Sector
Our cloud platform was built specifically with the public sector in mind. There’s no complicated setup. Teams can log in securely from any browser, with permissions set so only authorised staff can view or approve payment files. Every action is recorded for full audit trails.
We can help with:
- Submitting Bacs files, including payroll and supplier payments
- Managing Direct Debits with branded communications
- Processing card payments, including secure links and telephone payments
- Validating account details to reduce failures
- Keeping everything compliant with strong security controls
Whether you want a complete solution or a backup option alongside your current setup, SmarterPay can scale to suit your needs.
We also help meet compliance requirements with features like multi-factor authentication, IP whitelisting, and user access controls. These safeguards keep systems secure without slowing teams down.
Fair, Flexible and Focused on You
As an independent UK company, SmarterPay answers to customers, not investors. Our pricing is fair, clear, and designed to last. You’ll also receive direct support from a team that understands the challenges facing the public sector.
We work with councils, NHS trusts, charities, and education providers across the UK. Each one has cut costs, improved oversight, and gained confidence in their payment operations with our support.
With modular features and flexible pricing, you only pay for what you use. Whether you manage hundreds or thousands of transactions, SmarterPay grows with you, helping you plan budgets with certainty and avoid waste.
Making Transformation Work
Digital transformation isn’t just about updating IT systems, it’s about creating secure, connected, and user-friendly services. Payments are a crucial part of that journey. With SmarterPay, you can prevent fraud, streamline your processes, and give both your teams and your communities a better experience.
We know public sector teams are under pressure to modernise without disruption. That’s why SmarterPay is designed to work alongside your existing systems.
Our case study for Torbary Council can be found here. We’re here to help you make transformation practical and real. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help your business.