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Updated Mar 22, 2024

Choosing a Professional Employer Organization (PEO)

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Skye Schooley, Business Operations Insider and Senior Lead Analyst

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A professional employer organization (PEO) can be a great HR solution for small business owners. PEOs use a co-employment model, which grants small businesses access to Fortune 500-level benefits, including health and dental insurance, workers’ compensation coverage and risk management support. Small businesses can leverage the knowledge and expertise of PEOs to create standardized HR policies and practices and to offer extensive training and development resources to their employees. 

Although many PEOs offer similar features, there are several factors to consider when comparing providers, including pricing, the available features, the minimum number of employees the PEO requires and whether some of its services can be customized. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about PEOs and how to choose one. If you already know what you’re looking for, check out our recommendations for the best PEO service providers to see which companies we recommend for your business.

Editor’s note: Looking for the right PEO service for your business? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.

What is a PEO?

Under a co-employment model, a PEO can “employ” hundreds of thousands of employees across thousands of businesses in the U.S., driving down health insurance costs and making HR standardization an easy process. 

Here are the basic human resource services that PEOs manage: 

We recommend that you look for a PEO that provides a dedicated team of experts to handle your HR, payroll processing, benefits and risk management needs. This guarantees that you’ll get one-on-one support when you need it and that you can work with specialists to ensure you’re getting the most out of your service.

Key TakeawayKey takeaway

A PEO service is technically the employer of record for your employees. That means your employees are on its books, so it handles all the onboarding documentation, payroll and compliance work instead of you.

How to choose a PEO service

There are several PEOs out there – some great and some not so great. If you think your business needs a PEO, we recommend that you do your homework. The first step in your research process should be to establish your needs so you know exactly what features and services you want before you start talking to different companies. 

Consider the top players, but look regionally as well – just because a PEO isn’t a national organization doesn’t mean it can’t provide you with the services you need. A good place to start is the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO), where you can search PEOs by state and view whether or not they are accredited. 

If you’ve already done this and are considering several companies, here are 10 questions and ideas to keep in mind as you narrow your search: 

  1. Is it an industry-accredited PEO? There are two main types of accreditation that prove the PEO is in good standing financially and has the resources to offer you good service: IRS certification and accreditation by the Employer Services Assurance Corporation (ESAC).
  2. As your business grows, will the PEO service be able to grow with you? What kinds of services can you add as you grow?
  3. What is the contract structure and cancellation policy? Does the PEO require a long-term contract, or can you cancel anytime?
  4. Does the PEO have a team trained in knowing federal, state and local labor laws?
  5. What kind of user access does the PEO offer? Is there an online payroll portal or mobile app?
  6. What is the cost structure? Does it charge per employee or a percentage of your total payroll?
  7. How can the PEO tailor its services to fit your business’s needs?

Editor’s note: Looking for the right PEO service for your business? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.

  1. What kind of customer service does it provide? Will you have personal access to a team of skilled professionals? Is there an IT support line you can call in case you have technical problems after hours?
  2. What support channels does it offer? Some companies offer live chat in addition to email and phone support. Which communication method would your business prefer?
  3. Does the PEO have positive referrals? Combing through online reviews and talking with other business owners can help you understand if the PEO practices what its sales team preaches. 

As you consider PEOs, try to focus on the facts about each service rather than your interactions with the PEO service’s sales representative. If an organization is accredited by the ESAC and IRS, and has good customer reviews, that is a good starting point. In our reviews, we’ve listed whether the PEO is accredited, and if so, by whom (ESAC, the IRS; we’ve also indicated if it’s a Better Business Bureau-accredited business). We’ve also thoroughly researched the services the PEO offers and the pricing structure it uses. 

How much does a PEO cost?

The cost of a PEO depends on the specific features you need, the number of employees you have and what type of pricing structure you sign up for. 

There are two pricing structures PEOs use. The first involves charging businesses on a per-employee basis; the second involves charging businesses a percentage of their total monthly payroll. In our research, the average per-employee fees ranged from $40 to $160 per employee per month, whereas, under the other model, the average rate ranged from 3 percent to 12 percent of a company’s monthly payroll. Although many PEOs offer only one type of pricing structure, some let you choose whichever option works best for your business. 

Another factor that influences pricing is the plan structure of the PEO. Most PEOs offer features that are bundled. You pay a set fee for a set number of features or services. Some PEOs, however, give you the option to create a customized plan, choosing the exact features you want. Customized plans can be great for businesses with unique HR needs, but most businesses can benefit from the HR features offered in the bundled plans. 

Another issue to know before you begin researching PEO services is that many have employee minimums (typically five employees) and contract requirements (typically one year). Most PEOs give you the option to cancel services with 30 days’ notice. 

TipTip

When choosing a PEO service, request a breakdown in writing of costs and fees itemized by service. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re expected to pay for before you sign up.

Pros and cons of using a PEO over in-house services

While the PEO model is a unique option for small businesses looking for services generally afforded to larger companies, it is not without its pitfalls. By educating yourself on the benefits, drawbacks and limitations of PEOs, you should be able to find the right organization with minimal drawbacks to your business. 

Pros

  • Fewer administrative tasks: If you partner with a PEO, all the humdrum administrative tasks of managing your business are out of your hands. This gives you more time to focus on the day-to-day operations of your business.
  • Better benefits: The PEO model provides small businesses the opportunity to enroll in benefits that are usually available only to large corporations. Your employees often have access to health plans at lower costs compared to dealing directly with insurance companies. This means better healthcare, retirement and workers’ compensation coverage for your business and its employees.
  • Legal compliance: PEOs have trained professionals whose job is ensuring your business complies with state and federal regulations. This includes tax structures, HR law changes, worker safety compliance and other risk compliance factors. Knowing that your business complies with federal, state, and industry rules and regulations can give you peace of mind.
  • Talent acquisition: With better benefits and stronger HR policies, you can attract top talent in your field. If you need help hiring, onboarding or even terminating an employee, PEO services can help. They also provide other resources for posting job openings online and managing the interview process.
  • Legal protections: Most PEOs provide civil defense and employment liability insurance in case a former employee sues your company for discrimination or wrongful termination. 

Cons

  • Surrendering responsibilities: PEOs are designed to lift some of the weight of managing a business off your shoulders. If you’re a small business owner who is hands-on and involved with every aspect of your company, partnering with a PEO may be an adjustment.
  • Health insurance changes: While you gain access to better health benefits, you and your small business are at the mercy of the PEO’s choices. Depending on what state you operate in, your insurance provider could change throughout your contract with a PEO. PEOs are seeking out the best deals, which in turn affect your company and the coverage you and your employees receive.
  • Impersonal: The hope is that the PEO you select treats your company and employees with personalized attention and service. While this is great in theory, many PEOs are large companies that serve thousands of small businesses. It’s possible that your business and workers could be lost in the shuffle at some point. As you look for a PEO, get a sense of the company’s commitment level and how attentive it can be in providing you with services you and your workers need. Remember, you can usually cancel your services if you provide the proper notice.
  • Setup and transition: When you bring on a PEO, some of your company operations will change. It could take time for you and your employees to adjust to new methods and processes. 

Best PEO service providers

Ready to choose a PEO solution? These are some of our top recommendations for PEO service providers for small businesses:

  • JustWorks: JustWorks is an IRS- and ESAC-accredited PEO service that offers competitively priced services even small businesses on a budget can afford. Read our Justworks review to learn more.
  • Rippling: Rippling offers PEO services with custom pricing dependent on the size of your business and your needs. The company also offers a range of other HR software and services, making it a scalable choice for growing businesses. Read our Rippling PEO review to learn more.
  • TriNet: If you work in an industry where specific knowledge of the space is a priority, TriNet is a strong choice. They match you with HR professionals who have niche expertise that can apply to your industry so that you know they’re making the right choices. Read our TriNet PEO review to learn more.
  • ADP: ADP is one of the best-known payroll and HR companies out there, and its PEO services live up to the brand’s reputation. Read our ADP TotalSource review to learn more.
  • Insperity: Insperity is an IRS- and ESAC-accredited PEO service that offers tailored support to businesses small and large. Read our Insperity PEO review to learn more.

PEO Frequently Asked Questions

Still not clear on what a PEO can do for you? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the processes and operations of a PEO.

Yes. PEO services are geared toward smaller organizations that don’t have an internal dedicated human resources team. According to NAPEO, the average small company that uses a PEO has 22 employees. Further, businesses such as small manufacturers, medical practices, retailers, auto repair facilities, engineering firms and plumbing companies use PEOs.

The biggest difference concerns the co-employment model. When you outsource HR, there is no co-employment arrangement. Although you are hiring a service to handle some or all of your HR needs, you are still responsible and liable for all of the outsourced company’s work. There are inherent advantages and disadvantages to the co-employment model. One thing to keep in mind is that under the co-employment model, you’re not losing control of your employees; they are just reorganized under the umbrella of the PEO company for legal purposes.

Co-employment, also referred to as employee leasing, allows small businesses to maintain day-to-day control of employees. However, the PEO becomes the employer of record for tax purposes and is responsible for all the HR-related tasks, such as providing benefits. You are still in charge of your employees in terms of wages, hours and management. The PEO assumes responsibility for benefits and compliance issues.

PEO services assume responsibility for complying with the laws and regulations governing the payment and reporting of federal and state taxes paid on employee wages.

No. You are operating as a partner with your PEO provider; you are still in charge of your business and how it is run. Your employees are still yours to direct. The PEO is responsible for your employees from a benefits standpoint.

ESAC, the Employer Services Assurance Corporation, is an independent nonprofit and the official accrediting agency of the PEO industry. Its board of directors includes PEO industry attorneys, CPAs and independent directors who, collectively, have more than 100 years of combined PEO industry regulatory experience.

The accreditation process verifies a PEO’s ongoing financial solvency and compliance with government regulations and industry standards. Accreditation demonstrates a PEO’s financial stability, ethical business conduct, and adherence to operational standards and regulations. You can see which PEOs have earned accreditation on ESAC’s website. The IRS also certifies and accredits PEOs that are in good financial standing and comply with all federal and state tax requirements.

Most PEOs have multiple plans that their business customers can offer their employees, including preferred provider organization and high-deductible options. However, your options will be limited depending on what state you are in. PEOs typically use a few health insurance providers and require all customers enrolled in the healthcare program to use one of their partners.

PEO services make managing employees easy

When you work with a PEO service, everything from payroll to human resources is streamlined, removing the burden from you so that you can focus on growing your business. As you scale with a PEO service, you can even extend benefits to your team without the hassle of benefits administration. So, if you want to outsource the process of onboarding, running payroll and compliance reporting, consider working with a PEO service today.

Tejas Vemparala contributed to this article. 

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Skye Schooley, Business Operations Insider and Senior Lead Analyst
Skye Schooley is a business expert with a passion for all things human resources and digital marketing. She's spent 10 years working with clients on employee recruitment and customer acquisition, ensuring companies and small business owners are equipped with the information they need to find the right talent and market their services. In recent years, Schooley has largely focused on analyzing HR software products and other human resources solutions to lead businesses to the right tools for managing personnel responsibilities and maintaining strong company cultures. Schooley, who holds a degree in business communications, excels at breaking down complex topics into reader-friendly guides and enjoys interviewing business consultants for new insights. Her work has appeared in a variety of formats, including long-form videos, YouTube Shorts and newsletter segments.
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