How the Trust Score works
Every one of the 27 PEOs we track is scored out of 100 on six facts anyone can check. Payment is never an input.
The six factors
| Factor | Points | How it's scored |
|---|---|---|
| IRS CPEO certification | 30 | 30 if on the IRS active CPEO list; 10 if a related entity appears but the brand isn't listed; 0 otherwise. |
| ESAC accreditation | 20 | 20 if accreditation is confirmed; 0 if not confirmed. |
| Price transparency | 20 | 20 if the PEO publishes a price; 10 if credible third-party estimates exist; 0 if quote-only with no estimate. |
| Contract flexibility | 10 | 10 for month-to-month or no long-term contract; 0 otherwise or if terms aren't published. |
| Small-business access | 10 | 10 for no minimum; 7 for a 5-employee minimum; 4 for 10; 2 if the minimum isn't published. |
| Coverage | 10 | 10 for national coverage; 4 for a regional footprint. |
What the score is not
It isn't a measure of service quality, benefits plans or customer satisfaction, which vary by client and can't be verified the same way. It measures how much you can confirm about a PEO before you sign: certification, price, terms and reach.
Sources
CPEO status comes from the IRS active CPEO list dated Aug 7, 2026. ESAC status counts only where accreditation is confirmed. Prices come from the PEO's own site or are labeled as third-party estimates. Data last updated Oct 27, 2026.
How we make money
Some PEOs pay PEOranked when a business we introduce signs with them. That payment never changes a score, a rank or whether a PEO appears.
Not legal or tax advice
Content on PEOranked is general information. Confirm tax, benefits and employment-law questions with a qualified professional.