Revolutionize Your Business Operations With Fourth PEO

At a Glance

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Fourth initially emerged in 1999 as an HCM (Human Capital Management) software company, introducing a range of products and services, such as Adaco, HotSchedules, MacromatiX, PeopleMatter, and Red Book Solutions, all designed to empower businesses. As they evolved, they expanded their expertise into the PEO (Professional Employer Organization) sphere with a unique approach, incorporating AI-driven technology into their workforce and inventory management platform, which aided in the eventual acquisition of their IRS certification.

Their mission is to provide actionable insights that boost operational efficiency, aligning with their vision to simplify and streamline business operations. This approach helps businesses save time and costs while increasing profitability. 

Industries & Businesses

Fourth PEO serves a wide range of sectors, but they specialize in the restaurant, retail, and hospitality industries in general. These industries have specific challenges and workforce needs, and Fourth's comprehensive services, including payroll, benefits, human resources administration, tax administration, and regulatory compliance, provide tailored solutions dedicated to SMBs. Whether it's a boutique hotel, a busy restaurant, or a thriving retail store, the company customizes its services to help these businesses succeed in the long run and stay sustainable.

Services & Features

Fourth is a company that offers a range of valuable services to assist SMBs. These services are aimed at simplifying and optimizing essential business operations, allowing companies to concentrate on their core objectives. Some of Fourth’s prominent services include:

Payroll services: Fourth provides an extensive suite of payroll services. They handle payroll administration, which includes tasks like payroll processing, tax calculations, and tax return filings. By outsourcing these responsibilities, businesses can save time and ensure payroll accuracy.

HR solutions: Managing human resources can be a complex endeavor. Fourth offers comprehensive HR solutions to help businesses manage various HR functions. This includes employee recruitment, onboarding, performance management, hiring, and compliance assistance. Their HR expertise simplifies employee management and ensures adherence to legal requirements.

Benefits administration: Fourth recognizes the significance of employee benefits. They offer cost-effective benefits solutions, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and worker's compensation. These offerings help businesses attract and retain top talent by providing competitive benefits packages.

Tax administration: Taxes, especially payroll taxes, can be daunting to navigate. Fourth relieves businesses of the tax administration burden. They accurately calculate and file payroll taxes in a timely manner. Additionally, they can assist in responding to tax notices, aiding businesses in handling tax-related challenges.

Compliance assistance: Staying compliant with federal and state employment laws is crucial. Fourth provides valuable support in understanding and adhering to complex regulatory requirements. They offer guidance on wage and hour laws, discrimination laws, and workplace safety regulations, ensuring risk management.

What is the company's operational process?

Fourth’s operational process is a straightforward one. To start, businesses can contact Fourth through phone, email, live chat, or a contact form. They'll discuss their HR needs and receive a customized service quote. If they decide to proceed, a contract is signed to formalize the partnership. In this step, it's essential to ask the right questions to make the right decision suitable for your business.

Once partnered with them, businesses gain access to a dedicated PEO team that handles HR, payroll, and employee benefits administration. They also benefit from the company's mobile app suite, including the Fourth App, which streamlines various employee tasks.

How Much Does It Cost?

Like many PEO providers, Fourth offers a range of service plans with costs that can vary depending on factors like your business's size and specific needs. For a precise cost estimate, it's best to contact Fourth directly. While there are associated costs, partnering with a PEO can save you time, reduce errors, and ensure compliance, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes and industries.

Advantages

Fourth stands out as a preferred choice among companies, offering a host of unique advantages to businesses seeking HR solutions. These distinct advantages include:

Demo availability

Fourth PEO goes the extra mile by providing businesses with the opportunity to experience a demo of their services. This hands-on approach allows potential partners to see how Fourth's comprehensive solutions can benefit their organization, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making.

Dedicated professional HR team

What sets the company apart is its commitment to providing each business with a dedicated team of HR specialists. These experts handle a wide range of HR, payroll, and employee benefits administration tasks, delivering personalized support and tailored attention to meet the unique needs of each organization.

Mobile app & AI-driven tech

Fourth PEO uses advanced technology to optimize business operations. Through the Fourth App, their employees can collaborate, manage schedules, handle stock, place orders, and more, simplifying daily tasks for a streamlined operation. This suite of apps enhances efficiency for staff and management alike, meeting the unique requirements of the hospitality sector.

Moreover, Fourth's AI-powered Intelligence Platform transforms workforce and inventory management. With a single, integrated view of the organization and AI-driven forecasting, it facilitates swift and well-informed decisions about staffing and inventory. By analyzing data daily and presenting insights via user-friendly dashboards, their AI technology helps businesses save time, reduce costs, and improve profitability with easy-to-access, actionable information, enabling them to maintain peak efficiency.

Live chat support

Fourth PEO offers live chat support, ensuring businesses have quick and convenient access to assistance when they have questions or require guidance on managing their HR solutions. This real-time support streamlines issue resolution, promoting seamless operations.

Disadvantages

While Fourth PEO offers several advantages for businesses seeking HR solutions, it's essential to consider some limitations and disadvantages in their services, including.

Not ESAC accredited

One significant drawback is that Fourth PEO is not ESAC accredited. ESAC accreditation signifies that a PEO has met high financial, ethical, and operational standards, providing businesses with financial protection and assurance of reliability. The absence of this accreditation may raise concerns for businesses regarding the financial security of their partnership.

Lack of transparency

Fourth doesn't disclose pricing information or any relevant explanations detailing the extent of their PEO services. This absence of clear, readily available information can create challenges for potential clients who seek to make well-informed decisions and grasp the full spectrum of PEO services provided.

Limited report customization 

Fourth’s limitation lies in its lack of report customization, which means businesses cannot create tailored reports to meet their specific needs. This restricts their ability to gain valuable insights and make data-driven decisions. Instead, they may rely on generic reports, leading to manual data analysis, consuming extra time and resources. Companies can explore alternatives like custom reporting software or free online report makers for customized solutions.

Client Feedback

Fourth's client reviews toe the line between mixed and positive. Considering the client feedback on G2 and Captera, the ratings and reviews differ between the two platforms.

On G2, Fourth PEO holds a rating of 2.5 out of 5, indicating mixed user feedback. While some customers find their services unremarkable and lacking in certain aspects, others appreciate various tools, such as scheduling and communication features, and the helpfulness of their staff. Notably, one critical review emphasized that the company did not meet their expectation of providing a robust connected system. Instead, the user received a system that was inefficient and did not harmonize well with its other components.

Conversely, on Capterra, Fourth PEO has a significantly higher rating of 4.5 out of 5. This rating suggests a more favorable perception of the company's offerings, particularly its app. Users on Capterra praise the rota system and the overall integration within the system. However, some users have noted that the app is somewhat complex and overwhelming.

It's worth acknowledging that the company has garnered a limited number of reviews, with only five on G2 and an additional five on Capterra. While these reviews undoubtedly offer valuable perspectives on the company's services, it is essential to refrain from exclusively relying on them when making your final assessments.

How Can I Reach Out to FourthPEO?

Reaching out to Fourth PEO is a straightforward process with various communication options available. Businesses can contact them through phone support at (877) 539 5156 (US) or find other international numbers alongside a contact form for written communication on their website. Live chat support is also accessible through their website, offering real-time assistance; however, you can also inquire via email at [email protected] if you don't have the time for a chat in real-time. For those interested in networking and learning more about the company, you can connect with the company via LinkedIn.

Concluding Thoughts

Fourth is a reputable Professional Employer Organization (PEO) dedicated to serving small and medium-sized businesses. Their industry specialization, particularly in the restaurant, hospitality, and service sectors, demonstrates their commitment to addressing the unique challenges and workforce demands these businesses face. Additionally, their range of services, from payroll to HR solutions, simplifies business operations, offering advantages such as optimized task management, cost savings, employee retention, accelerated growth, and shared liability. While there are some drawbacks, including the lack of ESAC accreditation and limited pricing transparency, many agree that their advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Explore our comparison tool to find alternative service providers that best match your business needs. Additionally, you can refer to our list of top PEO companies for more information.

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