HR Service Providers in Chattanooga

Are you a business owner or HR leader in the Chattanooga area looking for various types of HR support? HR support and consulting can range from a few hundred dollars all the way up to tens of thousands of dollars per month. Here is a fast breakdown of the types of services HR consulting companies provide and a quick definition of each.

We’ve also reviewed local and regional Chattanooga-based providers below so depending on what you’re looking for, we can point you to the right provider.

Top HR Consulting & PEO Firm in Chattanooga

HR Services We Help Businesses Find

  • HR Outsourcing & Consulting
  • Payroll Processing
  • Benefit Administration
  • PEOs (Professional Employer Associations)
  • Recruitment
  • Compensation Consulting
  • Leadership Development & Training
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Our Top HR Consulting & PEO Firm in Chattanooga

Adams Keegan - Top HR Consulting & PEO Firms in Chattanooga

Adams Keegan

5.0
5/5

Adams Keegan specializes in payroll, HR, and benefits administration, providing customized and comprehensive solutions. They offer a range of HR management services, including recruiting, compliance, and PEO (Professional Employer Organization) services. Their solutions are designed to reduce administrative burdens, streamline processes, and allow businesses to focus on their core operations. Adams Keegan uses technology and a personal touch to deliver high-quality HR services. They serve various industries, including hospitality, restaurants, senior care, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits.

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HR Services

Need HR Infrastructure

For small companies, you sometimes need the basics to get started. You need an employee handbook, pick payroll provider, onboarding forms, and basic compliance in different states.

Need Monthly Ongoing HR Advice

For small companies, you can’t hire a full-time person for HR but you still have HR needs. Every month certain things have to happen such as payroll getting run, reports being submitted to each state, HR compliance questions, and someone to help onboard and offboard employees. There are HR consulting companies to help you with this.

You Want to Outsource HR Projects

You may have one-off projects like a strategic hire you want to outsource, or you want someone to build a training program for your company. There are hundreds of types of one-off projects that may need to be accomplished where you need a training consultant.

You Want to Outsource All or Portions of HR

Some companies decide not to hire HR people as they grow. Instead they outsource all or certain functions of their HR. This can happen in a lot of different ways but thinks like payroll processing, benefits administration, recruiting, and the HR hotline can all be full outsourced or certain functions can be outsourced. Everyone is still hired as an employee of your organization, you just don’t need actual W-2 HR employees or you may only have one or two HR people vs building out an entire team.

You Want to Outsource to a PEO (Professional Employer Organization)

Many people are confused about a PEO and exactly what it is. At it’s most basic level, a PEO takes on employing all your employees. Your organization has little to no employees and everyone works for the PEO (but they still do tasks for your company). This usually has a per employee cost but the benefits are mostly reduced risk and better benefits than a small business can get on their own.

In this article, we aim to simplify this process by highlighting the top five HR outsourcing service providers and PEOs in Chattanooga and providing you with important tips to help you choose the best fit for your business.

Why Should a Business in Chattanooga Consider HR Outsourcing?

  • Many small businesses hire an HR person once they get to a certain size (50+) employees. When you’re a small business you have a decision of having someone internally handle HR that also has other responsibilities, hiring part-time HR employees or looking for an third party service to help
  • Understanding HR can be very difficult, there are a lot of unique situations that come up where having professional support would help
  • Not having appropriate HR representation can be very risky and potentially expensive. Ensuring you have the right setup, processes, and ongoing support is critical
  • For most businesses your people are your business. Ensuring you’re hiring the right people and making sure they’re engaged is critical – not all business owners know how to do that.

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Check out our detailed video reviews below for the top HR consulting & PEO firms in Chattanooga.

Six Top HR Consulting & PEO Firms in Chattanooga

Adams Keegan - Top HR Consulting & PEO Firms in Chattanooga

Adams Keegan

5.0
5/5

Adams Keegan specializes in payroll, HR, and benefits administration, providing customized and comprehensive solutions. They offer a range of HR management services, including recruiting, compliance, and PEO (Professional Employer Organization) services. Their solutions are designed to reduce administrative burdens, streamline processes, and allow businesses to focus on their core operations. Adams Keegan uses technology and a personal touch to deliver high-quality HR services. They serve various industries, including hospitality, restaurants, senior care, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits.

Workbliss Video Review

HR Services

HR Designs

HR Designs

5.0
5/5

HR designs is a knowledgeable HR advisory group located in Chattanooga, TN. They help companies ranging from small startups all the way through larger HR departments. They provide a wide number of services including strategic HR consulting, hiring, RPO, employee handbook development, payroll, and benefits administration.

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HR Services

Scenic City Business Solutions

Scenic City Business Solutions

5.0
5/5

Scenic City Business Solutions provides a comprehensive range of back-office support services, catering to small and mid-sized companies. Their services include accounting, human resources, information technology, and advisement at the CFO level. Scenic City aims to offer the same level of support that large companies enjoy at a fraction of the cost, allowing business owners to focus on their core activities. They provide outsourced payroll processing, benefits management, IT support, and strategic planning.

Workbliss Video Review

HR Services

Southern Payroll and Bookkeeping

Southern Payroll and Bookkeeping

4.7
4.7/5

Southern Payroll & Bookkeeping (SPB) provides payroll, bookkeeping, and tax services to small and mid-sized businesses. They focus on streamlining administrative processes with a technology-enabled approach, allowing clients to focus on core business operations. SPB offers payroll and HR support, including payroll processing, benefits management, compliance, and tax preparation. Their customer-focused approach and guaranteed callback policy ensure quality service and personalized support. SPB’s team has extensive experience, with a 2% initiative contributing to charity.

Workbliss Video Review

HR Services

EBS Consulting

EBS Consulting

4.0
4/5

EBS Consulting offers a comprehensive range of HR services, including human resources outsourcing, employee handbook creation, training programs, workplace investigations, and operational services. They focus on helping businesses manage HR tasks more efficiently and stay compliant with employment laws. Their services also cover strategic planning, human resource information systems (HRIS), e-learning, and leadership development. EBS Consulting tailors its solutions to meet the specific needs of businesses, whether they require partial or complete HR outsourcing.

Workbliss Video Review

HR Services

MSi Workforce Solutions

MSi Workforce Solutions

3.5
3.5/5

MSi Workforce Solutions offers comprehensive HR services, specializing in talent management, employee relations, and full-service HR support. They provide staffing, recruiting, training, payroll support, and compliance solutions, serving regional and international clients across various industries, including manufacturing, logistics, accounting, engineering, and IT. With over 20 years of experience, MSi Workforce Solutions is certified as MBE/DBE/SMWBE, emphasizing diversity and inclusion.

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HR Services

How to Choose the Top HR Consulting & PEO Firms in Chattanooga

  • Packaging Options

    Start by reviewing the different packages offered by HR outsourcing providers. These packages can range from basic HR support to comprehensive solutions that include payroll, compliance and employee training. It’s important that you choose a service that not only meets your current needs, but also has the flexibility to adapt as your business evolves. Consider the scalability of the packages and whether they can keep pace with the growth of your business.

  • Range of Services

    Evaluate the range of services offered by each firm. Not every HR outsourcing company offers the same services. For example, if you are primarily looking for staff, you should make sure that the provider specializes in talent acquisition and recruitment. If your primary focus is employee training and development, look for companies that have a strong track record in these areas. Your goal should be to match your immediate and future staffing needs with the services they offer.

  • Support and Account Management

    The amount and type of support offered is crucial. Some companies offer local support, while others operate regionally or internationally. Check whether you have a dedicated account manager who can attend to your needs immediately. You should also ask about the availability of specialized support, such as access to employment lawyers or HR consultants to deal with complex situations or legal matters. The quality of support can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of your HR functions.

  • Location and Accessibility

    The location of the HR outsourcing firm can affect your working relationship. Local firms may offer a more personalized service and be more familiar with the local business environment and regulations. On the other hand, national or regional providers may bring broader expertise and more resources to the table. Consider how important a local presence is to your business and whether you prefer face-to-face contact or remote collaboration.

  • Pricing Structure

    Finally, consider the pricing structure of the HR outsourcing services. Costs can vary widely, ranging from affordable monthly fees for basic support to larger investments for comprehensive HR management. Check your budget requirements and compare them with the offers of the individual packages. It’s important to find a balance between the cost and the value of the services provided to ensure that the investment contributes positively to the efficiency and growth of your business.

Frequently Asked Questions about Top HR Consulting & PEO Firms in Chattanooga

Can small businesses in Chattanooga benefit from HR outsourcing?
Absolutely, small businesses in Chattanooga can significantly benefit from HR outsourcing by gaining access to specialized expertise and reducing the burden of HR tasks, allowing them to focus on core business growth.
Yes, HR outsourcing can greatly improve efficiency by streamlining HR processes, ensuring compliance, and providing expert support, thus allowing Chattanooga companies to operate more effectively.
HR outsourcing is a strategic choice for Chattanooga businesses as it offers access to a broad range of HR expertise, helps manage costs effectively, and supports scalability as the business grows.
HR outsourcing can be a cost-effective solution for Chattanooga-based companies, as it eliminates the need for a full-time, in-house HR staff and offers scalable solutions tailored to business size and needs.
The cost of HR outsourcing varies widely, with packages ranging from a few hundred dollars per month to several thousand dollars, depending on the scope of services and the specific needs of the business.
See the full list below, but major HR functions include recruiting, payroll administration, benefits administration, HR admin work, HR compliance, talent management, and training.

It really depends but here is the most common use cases

  • Under 20 employees: Can’t afford a full-time HR person and don’t have someone internally to handle HR. It’s also easy to outsource small projects like “build our employee handbook” or help with a one-off strategic hire.
  • 20-75: Might have a part-time HR person but they need more strategic help with areas such as recruiting, onboarding, talent management, payroll, and benefits
  • 75+ Employees – These companies are good candidates to outsource their entire HR department. That usually means they have one strategic HR person, potentially a recruiting department, and they outsource everything else instead of hiring more HR people internally.
  • In a PEO, the employees actually work for the PEO company not the small business. PEOs usually have a cost per employee per month but structurally the company doesn’t actually have W2 employees usually, they work for the PEO
  • With HR outsourcing the employees still work for the company but the HR outsourcing firm is helping them execute what’s needed for HR.

Ongoing Services HR Outsourcing Companies Can Provide

HR Management and Admin Services
  • Termination processing
  • Promotion and transfer processing
  • New employee onboarding
  • New hire/rehire processing

Compliance:
  • Establishing corporate policy manuals and employee handbooks
  • Printing and distribution of compliance documentation
  • HR audits and full summary reports
  • EEO-1/VETS-100 reporting
  • Compliance assistance and response to formal HR complaints
  • Electronic I-9 file compliance audit
  • E-Verify services
  • Employment posters distribution
Strategic HR Services:
  • Performance management, succession planning, employee engagement consulting
  • Creating job descriptions on behalf of the company
  • State unemployment guidance (key strategy depending on the type of business)
  • Custom exit interviews for employees leaving the organization
  • Any type of project based consulting
  • General legal advice from an employment perspective (most have employment lawyers on retainer or staff)
  • Custom training projects
    • Compliance
    • Leadership development
    • Coaching
    • Harassment
    • Safety, etc.
  • Online employee training (compliance or otherwise)
  • Drug and background check process
  • Salary survey work to determine correct pay ranges by location
Payroll Processing:
  • Providing weekly summary for management to approve
  • Setup of payroll in HRIS/HRMS
  • Initiating payroll cycles
  • Calculating pay
  • Investigating and resolving calculation errors
  • Handling payroll audit issues
  • Schedule annual payroll calendars
  • Retroactive payment calculations
  • Special payment type processing
Deductions:
  • Submitting and approving deduction data
  • Inputting deductions
  • Reviewing and resolving process errors
  • Providing remittance payment instructions
  • Arrears deduction processing
Payroll Files:
  • Monthly/quarterly/yearly commission
  • Bonuses
  • Annual flex perk
  • Annual sick time
  • Annual merit
Payroll Taxes:
  • Calculating and deducting federal, state, and local taxes
  • Preparing and filing payroll tax returns
  • Completing payroll regulatory reporting
  • Handling W-2 preparation and distribution
  • Processing tax adjustments/corrections
  • Handling tax withholdings on non-wage earnings
  • Handling unemployment insurance provider data files
Payroll Reporting:
  • Providing payroll operating reports
  • Offering ad hoc payroll reports
  • Providing employment and wage verifications
  • Handling new hire reporting
  • Multisite reporting
Distribution:
  • Preparing payment distribution
  • Processing direct deposits and print/distributing checks if necessary
Data Maintenance:
  • Submitting and approving employee record changes.
Benefits Administration Services:
  • Handling employee and customer inquiries
  • First-line support for questions
  • Interpretation of plan designs and policies
  • Incoming inquiries management
Enrollment:
  • Ongoing benefit enrollment and general assistance.
  • Annual enrollment
Event Change Processing:
  • Processing change-in-status events
  • ACA compliance reporting
Premium Administration:
  • Calculating monthly premiums
  • Reconciliation with carrier invoices
  • Benefits billing
  • Benefits billing for participants requiring direct payments
Ongoing Service Delivery:
  • Any calls/questions made to HR
  • Managing and maintaining employee online records
  • Single point of contact for routine service requests
  • Corporate communications assistance
  • Setting up global notifications and HR process escalations
  • Any calls/questions made to HR
  • Managing and maintaining employee online records
  • Single point of contact for routine service requests
  • Corporate communications assistance
  • Setting up global notifications and HR process escalations
This summary includes a wide range of HR and payroll services that HR outsourcing companies can provide to small businesses. The specific services you choose should be based on your business’s needs and priorities

Conclusion

In summary, HR outsourcing is an increasingly strategic choice for Chattanooga businesses because it offers a blend of expertise, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. By choosing the right outsourcing partner, companies can navigate complex HR landscapes, ensure compliance and drive growth. This article outlines the top 6 HR consulting & PEO firms in Chattanooga and gives you key tips for choosing a suitable provider. Whether it’s cost management, access to specialized services or scaling operations, HR outsourcing is a flexible solution tailored to the diverse needs of Chattanooga’s dynamic business environment.

If you are looking for other locations in the area feel free to look at our reviews below:


Or reach out to learn more about any of the services we offer as a part of the work we do at Workbliss & OutboundView.

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