Content provided by PropelHR
Free Buyer's Report · 2026

The Small Business Guide to Choosing the Right PEO

Not every PEO is the same, and fewer than 50 of nearly 1,000 in the U.S. hold IRS CPEO certification. PropelHR's guide shows small business owners what a PEO can take off their plate, where the savings come from and the four qualities to insist on before signing.

  • IRS CPEO explained
  • Four PEO must-haves
  • Cited industry research
Cover of the The Small Business Guide to Choosing the Right PEO report

What You Will Learn

What's inside the guide

  • A plain explanation of how co-employment works and which payroll and HR tasks a PEO takes off your plate.
  • The specific ways a PEO can lower costs across health insurance, workers' comp, 401(k) plans, and compliance.
  • Four must-have criteria for evaluating PEO partners, from IRS certification to technology and customer service.
  • Why IRS certification matters, including how CPEO status shifts federal payroll tax liability away from your company.
  • How a master health plan lets small businesses offer stronger benefits with simpler administration and flexible start dates.