What states does Nextep serve?

Nextep currently operates in the following states: OK, TX, KS, AR, MO, CO.

Is Nextep IRS CPEO certified?

Yes, Nextep is an IRS Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO). This certification means they have met strict financial, reporting, and background requirements set by the IRS, providing additional tax advantages and liability protections for client companies.

What size companies does Nextep work with?

Nextep typically serves businesses with 5 to 500 employees. If your company is outside this range, contact them directly to discuss your options.

What services does Nextep provide?

Nextep offers the following HR and employer services: Payroll Processing, Employee Benefits, HR Management, Workers Compensation, Compliance Support, Recruiting & Hiring.

How do I get a quote from Nextep?

You can request a no-obligation quote from Nextep by filling out the form on this page. A PEO specialist will review your business details and connect you within one business day.

Nextep

IRS CPEO CertifiedRegional PEO

Norman, OK·Founded 1997·5-500 employees

No reviews yet·

States Served

Services

Industries

5-500

Employees

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About Nextep

Nextep is a Norman, Oklahoma-based IRS CPEO certified and ESAC accredited Professional Employer Organization founded in 1997. Led by CEO Brian Fayak, Nextep has built one of the strongest service reputations in the PEO industry, winning ClearlyRated's Best of HR Services Award in both 2025 and 2026 — an award based entirely on client satisfaction scores. The company operates from 15 locations nationwide and is actively expanding, announcing new markets in Scottsdale, Atlanta, Chicago, and Greenville in March 2026 and previously opening offices in Raleigh, Washington D.C., Salt Lake City, and Houston. Nextep serves small and mid-sized businesses with payroll, benefits, HR, risk and compliance, and proprietary technology including the Elevate by Nextep mobile app and a partnership with Nayya for AI-powered benefits guidance. Nextep is consistently recognized as a Best Place to Work in Oklahoma and as a Great Place to Work nationally — a culture signal that correlates directly with client service quality.

IRS Certification

IRS Certified PEO (CPEO)

Certification active · Verified by PEO Authority

Certified ✓

The IRS Certified PEO (CPEO) designation is awarded by the Internal Revenue Service to PEO companies that meet rigorous standards for financial health, tax compliance, and operational integrity. Nextep holds CPEO status — a distinction held by fewer than 15% of PEOs in the United States.

Federal Tax Liability

As a CPEO, Nextep assumes sole liability for federal employment taxes on wages paid — protecting your business from tax exposure.

Annual Financial Audits

CPEOs undergo independent CPA audits annually and must maintain a surety bond, ensuring fiscal accountability and solvency.

IRS Reporting

Nextep files employment taxes under their own EIN as CPEO, simplifying your year-end tax obligations and eliminating duplicate filings.

Why businesses choose Nextep

✓Won ClearlyRated Best of HR Services Award two consecutive years (2025 and 2026) — based entirely on client scores

✓IRS CPEO certified and ESAC accredited — both top industry credentials

✓Dedicated service team model — clients know their team by name

✓Elevate by Nextep mobile app for HR management on any device

✓AI-powered benefits guidance through Nayya partnership

✓Actively expanding nationwide — 15 locations with 4 new markets announced March 2026

✓Consistently recognized as a Best Place to Work — internal culture drives client service quality

Company Details

Headquarters

Norman, OK

Founded

1997

Employees Served

5-500

CPEO Certified

Yes - IRS Verified

Coverage

6 states

Company Type

Regional PEO

Nextep in Your State

Browse PEO options and compare providers in each state where Nextep operates.

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Pros & Cons

Pros

✓

Back-to-back service awards

ClearlyRated Best of HR Services 2025 and 2026 — based purely on client satisfaction scores.

✓

Named team model

Clients get a dedicated, named service team — not a rotating call center.

✓

Dual certified

Both IRS CPEO certified and ESAC accredited for maximum protections.

✓

Modern technology

Elevate mobile app and Nayya AI benefits guidance reflect genuine product investment.

✓

Rapid expansion

4 new markets announced March 2026 — growing national footprint.

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Cons

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Oklahoma-centric history

Strongest roots in the South Central region — national presence is newer in many markets.

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Smaller scale

Fewer locations and clients than the largest national PEOs — may have less benefits buying power.

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No transparent pricing

Custom quotes required — no published rates online.

PEO Authority Editorial Note

Nextep's back-to-back ClearlyRated awards based on real client satisfaction scores are unusually strong validation in a category where most PEOs rely on self-reported metrics. The service-first culture is genuine. Best for: small and mid-sized businesses across the South Central, Midwest, and expanding markets that prioritize responsive, relationship-driven HR support over large-company scale.

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