Partner with a Trusted Leader in HR and Payroll Services

A payroll partner is a third-party provider that works with organizations to handle payroll processing and related services. This includes managing payroll data, calculating wages, withholding payroll taxes, generating payroll reports and delivering pay to employees. Payroll partners often support integrations with systems like QuickBooks, APIs or HR software to streamline payroll functions.

For HR leaders, partnering with a payroll provider helps offload administrative burdens, maintain compliance with payroll taxes and address unique needs across industries like small business, nonprofit or professional services. The right payroll partner also supports functions like employee benefits enrollment, tax credits and retention strategies—all through an all-in-one payroll system or outsourcing model.

The three types of professional employer organization (PEO) models are: 1) traditional PEO, 2) ASO (administrative services organization) and 3) HRO (human resources outsourcing). Each supports different HR needs based on business size, complexity and internal capabilities.

A traditional PEO operates under a co-employment model, taking on responsibilities such as payroll administration, employer tax filing, workers’ comp, benefits packages and risk management. ASOs provide payroll services and HR support without sharing employer tax responsibilities. HROs are more flexible and can handle specific HR functions like compliance, perks management or health insurance plans, based on the business needs. Each model helps business owners offload time-consuming HR tasks, gain expert guidance and reduce the hassle of day-to-day HR management.

A professional employer organization (PEO) is a service provider that enters a co-employment relationship with a business to manage HR outsourcing, including payroll management, benefits administration, HR compliance and workers’ comp. PEO services are often used by mid-sized businesses to offload complex HR functions while still accessing enterprise-level HR solutions and payroll software.

A broker, by contrast, operates independently or within a brokerage and advises clients on HR, benefits or insurance options—often referring new customers to payroll companies or software as a service (SaaS) providers. Broker partners do not take on employment-related liability or process payroll. Their role is to guide decision-makers toward the right solution and often participate in a referral partner program with payouts tied to referred clients. Both roles support HR professionals, but a PEO acts as a direct service provider, while a broker serves as a strategic advisor.

A partner referral program, like the isolved Preferred Partner Program, allows professionals—such as brokers, CPAs and consultants—to refer potential customers to an HR software provider in exchange for referral incentives. These programs are built around formal referral partnerships that support customer acquisition through trusted partner relationships.

The referral process typically includes submitting qualified leads via a partner portal, receiving real-time updates and accessing marketing materials to support outreach. A structured onboarding process, dedicated customer support and consistent follow-up help convert referrals into long-term customers—making it a win-win for partners and their clients.