Look up the term “Find PEO” on your favorite search engine and you’ll see more than 38 million results. You’ve already done your research and are leaning toward partnering with a PEO, so life would be a lot easier if someone would just help you find the best fit.
That’s exactly what we do at NetPEO. One call to (678) 841-7195 and we can connect you to the PEO that best fits your business needs. You can enjoy the benefits of having a human resources, benefits, and finance dream team without having to build or manage them yourself.
If you’d still like to compare your PEO options, we have some tips backed by our more than 20 years of industry experience.
The Price Is Right
While price shouldn’t be the final deciding factor, it’s always an important consideration. Particularly for small- to medium-sized businesses working with a budget.
PEOs either charge a percentage of payroll or a monthly flat fee per employee. To make sure your PEO partner can truly meet your needs while working within your budget, it is important to know how their pricing works and what it includes. Ask about any potential pricing increases based on claims, significant workforce reductions, or other factors.
On average, the flat fee runs between several hundred to nearly $2,000 per employee per year. If you choose to pay a percentage of your overall payroll, it typically ranges from 3 to 11 percent.
Growth and Flexibility
Have a conversation with your potential PEO partner about how they handle company growth and how flexible they are if you need to scale up or scale back. If you grow your company in multiple states or employ teleworkers around the world, determine if the PEO is experienced, qualified, and able to handle that growth. Some PEOs only work within one specific state’s borders.
Insurance and Certification
Any PEO you’re considering must have liability insurance. If a company cannot provide proof of insurance, or the insurance appears superficial, walk away.
Look for certified PEOs which means the PEO passed an exacting certification process by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). IRS certified PEOs pass a CPA audit, background checks, are up-to-date on tax payments, and are fully bonded.
Experience
Some PEOs focus on small businesses, some work with companies of all sizes. Some PEOs focus on a particular industry (such as healthcare), others work across industries. Find out what the PEO’s area of focus and expertise is and if it is a good fit for your business.
You’ll also want to find out the PEO’s company history and the number of clients they currently serve.
When you’re utilizing a PEO for many of your human resources tasks, find out the PEO’s level of knowledge and experience with the HR duties you’d like them to focus on.
Additionally, be sure to ask for specifics about SUTA, FUTA, and FICA expertise as well as any applicable security and financial information.
Technology
Your PEO partner isn’t just people, it’s a marriage of your technologies and knowledge of them. From cloud-based HR platforms to Employee Self-Service (ESS) portals that allow employees to log on anywhere, any time, make sure you understand the technology utilized by the PEO and if you’re on board with learning how to use it.
Company Culture
Talk with some of the PEO’s clients to get actual testimonials on how they work. Learn about their communication style and be prepared to tell them about the company culture you foster. If you feel a PEO’s style may not be a good fit for your organization, it’s likely good to keep searching.
If you really connect with a PEO partner, they can even improve upon the company culture you’ve built. Improving recruitment, hiring, and onboarding practices, allowing you to offer better benefits, and making payroll and HR administration more efficient can all lead to greater employee satisfaction.
An Easier Way to Search for a PEO
Instead of combing through endless, often disjointed information about individual PEOs or looking at sterile comparison charts online, contact NetPEO.
For more than 20 years, we have built relationships with the most experienced, skilled PEOs around the country. We work with you to learn about your unique needs, your preferences, and your budget. Then we match you with the PEO that is the perfect fit.
If you have a preference about the type of payment plan you’ll utilize, you can even narrow down your PEO partner choices based on that factor. Some businesses prefer to pay one flat fee per employee per month. Others find advantages in paying by percentage of payroll.
One of the most important benchmarks for choosing a PEO partner, however, is that the services provided match the needs of your business.
- Outsourcing an entire human resources department
- Payroll services including self-service technology, reporting, withholdings, and more
- Obtaining employee benefits or improving the benefits you currently provide
- Administering employee benefits
- Risk reduction including anti-harassment policies, employee handbooks, and more
- Workers’ compensation claims handling
- Compliance with local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations
- Recruiting and hiring
- Safety protocols and processes to help reduce risk and liability
- Connecting you with technology that makes your job easier and reporting more efficient for employees
- Moving HR- and finance-related administrative work to highly qualified individuals or a team
Schedule Your Business Assessment Today
You already know how working with a PEO partner can benefit your business. You just need to find the right fit. Call NetPEO at (678) 841-7195 or fill out the form. We’ll conduct a thorough business needs assessment and match you with just the right PEO.
We work with you throughout your relationship with your chosen PEO. We check-in regularly to ensure you are satisfied with your PEO partner, to answer any questions you may have, or to immediately address any issues that may arise.
We pride ourselves on client satisfaction and are proud that 95% of our clients work with NetPEO for many years. We have the highest client retention rate in the industry. Find out why.
