What can I expect when I work with a PEO agency?
If you’re a business owner who’s thinking about hiring a PEO, finding the right one to go with can feel a little overwhelming. Not only are there nearly 500 PEOs operating in the US, but many of them may also seem to offer the same type of services with similar pricing. Plus, based on what you read on their websites; they all claim to be the absolute best in the industry. So how are you supposed to decide which one to go with?
That’s where PEO agencies come in. Their teams analyze your needs and goals and then tap into their large network of PEOs to find the perfect match. Just think of them like a dating service for your business! But the romance doesn’t end once the paperwork is signed – in fact, when you work with the right agency, it’s only just beginning.
Suzanne Shudra, a longtime customer care and enrollment specialist for AXIS Group, is dedicated to helping business owners while they’re onboarding and remains a resource for them long after that.
“We want to get them through the process with little to no effort on their part,” she said. “We’re here to be a partner to them.”
Shudra’s goal is to get new clients onboarded within a week or even sooner if the client’s workers’ compensation effective date has already passed. That means helping them gather all the needed documentation which includes a signed client service agreement and completed employee packets. Without having all the paperwork in place, they won’t be able to get their workers’ compensation certificate, something that’s required for most businesses to operate.
“I promise them that even though it seems like a lot of paperwork in the beginning that it’s going to be better off in the long run,” said Shudra, who will often step in and complete some of the documentation herself to speed things up.
During enrollment, Shudra is in contact with the client on a near-daily basis to make sure the paperwork is getting done and the process is moving forward in a timely manner. Once everything is complete, she sends it to AXIS’s PEO partner and then sets up a transition call with the partner and the client. Then she follows the process through the first payroll cycle, communicating all the while with both the client and the partner to ensure things are running smoothly. After that, she’ll reach out periodically via email with helpful tips and reminders.
“Some people have accountants that have been processing their payroll for years so we have to help them understand that we’re here to work with them as a partner,” she said. “I have to reassure them that things are going to be OK. We’re not taking their job from them. We’re actually trying to help their team lighten up their load a little bit.”
The reason Shudra takes such a hands-on approach is because she knows that making the transition to working with a PEO can be challenging for some business owners, especially if they’re used to doing everything themselves.
“Some people have accountants that have been processing their payroll for years so we have to help them understand that we’re here to work with them as a partner,” she said. “I have to reassure them that things are going to be OK. We’re not taking their job from them. We’re actually trying to help their team lighten up their load a little bit.”
For Shudra, the best part of her job is seeing her clients succeed and be happy that they opted to hire a PEO.
“It’s so rewarding to hear that sigh of relief after the first payroll is run and they have their workers’ comp certificate in their hand,” she said. “It’s great to be able to help people run their businesses without these extra stresses.”
Wondering if a PEO is right for you? Let the team of experts at AXIS Group help you make the right decision. Contact us via phone or email by clicking here.
Because they large network of PEOs and help identify the perfect match.
There are lots of them out there and based on what’s written on their websites, they all sound like the best
If you’ve been thinking about working with a PEO agency but you’re not quite sure how the process goes once you’ve