ASO (Administrative Services Organization)
An ASO provides payroll and HR administration like a PEO but without co-employment: you remain the sole employer and taxes are filed under your own EIN.
The ASO model suits companies that want administrative relief while keeping benefits and workers compensation sourced in the client’s name. State unemployment and tax filings generally remain under the client’s accounts, subject to the service and filing arrangement.
Compare an ASO with a PEO when the employer has competitive direct insurance or wants more control over policies and tax accounts. Price the same administrative scope and insurance categories on both sides rather than assuming one model is cheaper at a particular headcount.