AlphaStaff vs Cognos HR

AlphaStaff provides compelling PEO services to over 100,00 employees in the US, even though they don't go out of their way to identify themselves as such. They are essentially an HRO company, founded in 1997 and based in Florida. Their co-employment services include payroll processing, recruitment, HR management and consulting, benefits administration, and so on. This company is highly respected in the PEO industry for its exceptional services and has been acknowledged for its efforts in combating unemployment fraud. They are members of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) and have received accreditation from the Employer Services Assurance Corporation (ESAC) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for meeting SSAE 16 and 18 requirements. They are not certified by the IRS, however, nor are they accredited by the BBB, which gives them a C+ rating. There are very few customer reviews written about them, which makes it tough to gauge the real-world quality of their services.

Cognos HR, founded in 2015, bills itself as a "human capital consulting organization" that offers PEO services. It is based in Chicago and Oakbrook Terrace, IL, and seems to focus its service providing to that area. It promotes its services to small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), startups, nonprofits, remote companies, and other "businesses in need" interested in cost-effective, all-inclusive HR solutions. Cognos HR helps their clients manage everything from everyday HR chores to risk mitigation and policy formulation. CognosHR and their clients sign into a services agreement that enables CognosHR to legally take on some employer-related obligations and risks on their client's behalf. Their services include HR infrastructure and support, payroll administration, compliance, workers' compensation, group benefit plans, risk management, medical benefits, 401(k) retirement plans, and so on. They do not specify any plans or pricing on their website, so prospective clients have to submit a request for a free consultation.