How FIDL Scaled Global Contractor and Payroll Management with Toku

FIDL partnered with Toku to simplify global contractor payments and payroll operations. With Toku’s help, the early-stage team established a compliant, scalable infrastructure for hiring and paying international contributors quickly and transparently.

The Challenge

Managing Global Contractors Without a Payroll Infrastructure

As an innovative company building financial technology products, FIDL wanted to assemble a distributed team of contractors across multiple regions. The founders faced the same challenges most early-stage teams encounter: paying international contributors quickly and correctly while maintaining compliance.

Without internal payroll or HR infrastructure, managing contractors manually would be unsustainable. FIDL needed to ensure accurate onboarding, payments in multiple currencies, and full compliance with local tax requirements.

The company’s priorities were clear:

• Hire and pay contractors fast
  
• Avoid compliance risks across jurisdictions
  
• Minimize administrative overhead
  
• Maintain transparency and trust with contributors
  

FIDL began looking for a partner that could manage global contractor payments and payroll with the precision of an enterprise system, but the accessibility and flexibility of a startup-friendly platform.

The Approach

Building a Compliant Contractor Framework from the Ground Up

FIDL partnered with Toku to set up a comprehensive contractor management and payroll system that could support global operations immediately. The solution included onboarding automation, tax compliance, and multi-currency payroll within a single platform.

1. Global Contractor Onboarding and Compliance

Toku standardized FIDL’s onboarding process for contributors in different countries. Each contractor was verified, documented, and registered with the correct tax forms and compliance data. This eliminated manual tracking and reduced the risk of errors.

2. Automated Payments and Tax Documentation

Toku’s payroll engine allowed FIDL to pay contractors in their preferred currencies while keeping compliance records accurate and audit-ready. All payments were logged, reconciled, and supported by automated tax documentation, making it easy to prepare for future scaling.

3. Hands-On Guidance for Early-Stage Teams

Toku’s team worked closely with FIDL’s founders throughout setup and rollout. They provided personalized support on contractor classification, compliance strategy, and payment timing. The early-stage team felt confident managing their distributed workforce from day one.

4. Scalable Infrastructure for Growth

Beyond short-term setup, Toku’s system gave FIDL a foundation to expand hiring globally without rebuilding its payroll structure. The same infrastructure now supports both immediate needs and future growth.

Results and Impact

A Scalable, Compliant Foundation for Global Operations

With Toku, FIDL went from a small founding team to a globally connected organization with compliant payroll and contractor management. The system allowed fast onboarding, timely payments, and simplified compliance without extra internal hires.

By partnering early, FIDL built a scalable operations foundation that will continue to support its growth. The process was quick, transparent, and fully supported by Toku’s hands-on guidance.

Key Takeaways

1. Start early with compliance. Building a compliant payroll foundation at the beginning prevents operational setbacks later.
   
2. Automation saves time and reduces risk. Automated onboarding, payment, and reporting workflows keep growing teams lean.
   
3. Global hiring needs structure. Contractors in different countries must be onboarded and paid consistently to maintain trust and compliance.
   
4. Support accelerates execution. Responsive, high-touch assistance helps early teams move faster with confidence.
   
5. Scalable infrastructure enables growth. Toku’s systems give startups flexibility to evolve from contractor models to full employment without disruption.
   

The Outcome

FIDL now operates on a solid foundation for global hiring and payments. The company can manage contractors, run compliant payroll, and grow internationally with confidence. Administrative tasks that once required manual oversight are now automated and reliable.

Toku’s platform and support allow FIDL to focus on its mission, building innovative financial technology -  instead of managing compliance or payroll logistics.

Next Steps

Toku helps early-stage teams hire and pay global contributors quickly, compliantly, and with full transparency.

Partner with Toku!