Since both accounting and payroll are related to finances, there may be some overlap in their functions. However, accounting generally refers to the processing of financial information for the purpose of recording and summarizing transactions. Payroll, on the other hand, refers to the collection and processing of employee wages and benefits. The main difference between accounting and payroll is that accounting is focused on the recording and summarizing of financial information, while payroll is concerned with the collection and processing of employee wages and benefits. Additionally, accounting is generally performed by a qualified bookkeeper or accountant, while payroll is typically handled by a human resources department or third-party service provider.