XcelHR, headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, is a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) founded in 1994 by a group of ambitious business owners who recognized the need to outsource human resources solutions to help small businesses grow and become more profitable. Over the past 25 years, the company has grown into one of the largest privately held firms in the DC Metropolitan area.
It supports businesses by providing expert HR solutions, which led to its recognition as a top PEO provider in 2018. It was later recognized as a Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO) by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) thus reinforcing its commitment to excellence in human resource management.
XcelHR offers a variety of services which include payroll and tax administration, risk management, talent acquisition, human resources management, and benefits administration. They help businesses reduce administrative burdens, ensuring compliance with employment laws while clients retain control over daily operations and employee management. XcelHR's commitment to providing comprehensive HR solutions and supporting the growth of small businesses has blossomed into a trusted partnership between the company and its clientele.
Pros
Comprehensive Employee Benefits: XcelHR provides a full range of HR services, eliminating the need for multiple vendors.
Personalized Support: You’ll have a dedicated HR representative to provide personalized service.
Access to Premium Benefits: SMBs can offer their employees benefits typically reserved for larger companies.
Cons
Features of XcelHR
XcelHR offers the following services:
1. Employee Self-Service Portal
XcelHR's employee self-service portal, available through the Connect platform, empowers employees to manage key aspects of their employment conveniently and securely. They can update personal information, submit time-off requests, and track leave balances, streamlining HR processes and reducing administrative overhead. The portal also provides easy access to payroll details, allowing employees to view and download pay stubs without contacting HR.
Benefits enrollment is seamlessly integrated, enabling employees to review and select plans during open enrollment or after qualifying life events. For new hires, the onboarding feature simplifies paperwork by allowing them to complete tax forms and other documents online. The portal also serves as a centralized hub for important company policies, handbooks, and other resources, ensuring employees can access critical information anytime.
2. Talent Acquisition
XcelHR's talent acquisition services are designed to streamline the recruitment process and help businesses attract and retain high-quality candidates. The process begins with a thorough assessment of your company's needs, including updating employment applications, crafting accurate job descriptions, and developing effective recruiting strategies. This strategic planning ensures that the search for candidates aligns with your organization's specific requirements.
To expedite the hiring process, XcelHR utilizes an extensive database of over 120,000 candidates and leverages an Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) called JazzHR. This technology enables simultaneous posting of job openings on more than 25 job boards, reaching over 100,000 potential candidates daily. Such broad exposure increases the likelihood of finding suitable candidates promptly.
Once potential candidates are identified, XcelHR manages the screening and interview process. This includes reviewing resumes, conducting phone interviews, performing employment verifications, and coordinating interviews. Additionally, they offer pre-employment testing and provide supervisor training on effective interviewing techniques to ensure a thorough evaluation of candidates.
After selecting the ideal candidate, XcelHR assists with extending job offers and facilitates a seamless onboarding process. A well-structured onboarding strategy is crucial for employee retention, and XcelHR's approach has been shown to reduce turnover by up to 82%. Their comprehensive services aim to make new hires feel welcomed and prepared, contributing to long-term success within your company.
3. Administrative Services Organization (ASO)
XcelHR offers Administrative Services Organization (ASO) services as part of their HR solutions. In an ASO arrangement, XcelHR provides support in areas such as HR administration, payroll processing, regulatory compliance, and benefits administration, while your business retains its status as the employer of record and assumes all associated legal responsibilities. This model offers flexibility, allowing you to select specific services that align with your company's needs without entering into a co-employment relationship.
Organizations that want to manage their own workforce and avoid a co-employment arrangement (as required in a PEO model) would find ASO services more suitable. This is common among businesses with specific HR policies or unionized workforces that require more control.
4. Government Contracting
XcelHR offers specialized services tailored for businesses involved in government contracting. They assist companies in navigating the complex regulatory landscape associated with federal contracts, ensuring compliance with various contractor-specific acts, programs, and executive orders.
One of the key tools XcelHR provides is its timekeeping software, TIMECO, which is DCAA-compliant. This software allows employers to set up specific jobs and expense categories, enabling employees to input actual hours worked along with any paid or unpaid additional time. It facilitates tracking of projects and users and includes features for adding detailed notes and descriptions to better estimate costs for specific jobs. The audit trails and reports generated by TIMECO assist businesses in preparing for future projects and ensuring costs are properly assigned, making collaboration with federal agencies more efficient.
XcelHR also provides guidance on compliance with key regulations, such as the Service Contract Act (SCA), Executive Order 11246, and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. It offers support in developing affirmative action plans, reporting, and ensuring adherence to equal employment laws, thereby helping federal contractors meet their regulatory obligations.
5. Payroll Processing
XcelHR’s payroll processing feature simplifies one of the most critical yet time-consuming tasks for businesses. Their secure, online software automates payroll, accommodating your preferred pay schedule — whether weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly — and supports both hourly and salaried employees.
You can choose from multiple payment methods, including direct deposit, pay cards, or checks, ensuring flexibility for your team. The platform provides real-time access to payroll data, giving you transparency and control over your finances. XcelHR also generates detailed reports, such as employee deduction summaries, benefits reports, and PTO tracking.
Beyond payroll, XcelHR handles complex tasks like garnishment liability, child support paperwork, and reissuing lost checks. They also manage tax-related responsibilities, including W-4 administration, quarterly 941 filings, state unemployment insurance, and year-end W-2 and W-3 preparation. Their system integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks and other third-party platforms, ensuring smooth data flow.
Pricing
Pricing for XcelHR’s range of services can vary based on the specific needs and size of your organization. Like most PEOs, XcelHR doesn’t list exact pricing publicly on its official website. So, if you’re looking for a tailored pricing plan, contact us at The Mission for a customized HR services quote from XcelHR and other PEO providers. Our consultations are designed to understand your business needs and provide a detailed, personalized pricing proposal to meet your specific requirements.
Ratings
XcelHR has limited feedback available, with reviews primarily found on:
Trustpilot: 3.8 out of 5 stars rating based on 2 reviews.
Trustburn: 4.1 out of 5 stars rating based on 11 reviews.
No reviews were found on Capterra, TrustRadius, or G2.
Customers’ Review
Based on client reviews from Trustburn and Trustpilot, XcelHR generally receives positive feedback for its personalized support, seamless payroll services, and knowledgeable HR team. Clients appreciate the efficiency and reliability of XcelHR’s services, noting that their HR operations have become smoother and more manageable. The online portal is also user-friendly and makes it easy to complete HR tasks.
Many businesses highlight XcelHR’s strong commitment to customer support, prompt responses, and attention to detail, with some long-term users commending their accurate payroll processing and high-quality benefits offerings.
However, some feedback suggests that service consistency can be an issue, particularly when there are changes in assigned HR representatives. Clients have complained about delays in response times and a lack of continuity in support, which can impact the overall experience.
Overall, XcelHR appears to be a strong choice for businesses seeking a reliable HR partner, especially for payroll, benefits, and compliance support. However, potential clients should consider service stability and consider long-term support before committing.
Is XcelHR Right for Your Business?
If you’re an SMB looking to streamline HR operations and offer competitive employee benefits typically reserved for larger companies, XcelHR’s all-in-one approach can save you time and resources. Its expertise in compliance is particularly valuable if you’re concerned about navigating complex labor laws and want to avoid costly penalties.
However, since XcelHR doesn’t provide transparent pricing upfront, you’ll need to request a customized quote to ensure it fits your budget. Also, if cutting-edge tech is a priority, you may want to explore more robust alternatives.
Ultimately, XcelHR is a good option for SMBs that value scalability, compliance expertise, and access to premium benefits, but it’s worth scheduling a consultation to see if it aligns with your specific needs and goals.
XcelHR Alternatives
If XcelHR doesn’t seem like the right fit for your business, here are some great alternatives to consider:
Insperity: Insperity stands out by offering strategic HR support, premium benefits, and strong compliance services, making it ideal for regulated and growing businesses. Its scalability and dedicated HR specialists allow it to offer personalized solutions beyond basic administration. For companies seeking long-term HR growth, talent development, and risk reduction, Insperity is a top choice.
TriNet: TriNet specializes in industry-specific HR solutions, offering customized services for various sectors. It caters to diverse industries, ensuring compliance and tailored HR support.
Paychex PEO: Ity offers personalized HR solutions with flexible plans designed to meet the unique needs of different businesses. Their scalable solutions cater to businesses at different growth stages, and their intuitive online platform ensures that even smaller teams can manage HR operations effectively.
Why Partner with The Mission?
At The Mission, we understand the importance of choosing the right HR outsourcing solution. We're here to guide you in finding the perfect PEO for your business. We work with a network of trusted providers and can help you secure competitive rates that suit your business’s HR needs. Reach out to us today to learn how we can support your HR outsourcing needs.