PEO Authority

Tandem HR

Regional PEO
Burr Ridge, IL·Founded 1998·10-1000 employees
No reviews yet·
20
States Served
5
Services
4
Industries
10-1000
Employees

About Tandem HR

Tandem HR is a Burr Ridge, Illinois-based PEO founded in 1998, providing payroll, benefits administration, HR support, workers' compensation, and compliance services to small and mid-sized businesses. Known for its personalized service model and dedicated HR advisor approach, Tandem HR is a recognized NAPEO member that serves clients primarily in the Midwest with national coverage for multi-state employers.

Certification Status

Not IRS CPEO Certified

Tandem HR does not currently hold IRS CPEO certification. This does not necessarily indicate a problem — many reputable PEOs operate without it. We recommend verifying their financial stability, NAPEO membership, and state licensing directly.

Why businesses choose Tandem HR

✓IRS CPEO certified and ESAC accredited - the only CPEO headquartered in Illinois with both designations
✓Founded in 1998, Tandem HR grew into the largest privately held PEO in the Midwest
✓Among the first class of PEOs nationally to receive IRS CPEO certification when the program launched in 2017
✓First PEO in the US to offer a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois group health plan to clients
✓High-touch model with dedicated HR generalist, benefits specialist, risk manager, and payroll specialist per client

Company Details

Headquarters
Burr Ridge, IL
Founded
1998
Employees Served
10-1000
CPEO Certified
No
Coverage
20 states
Company Type
Regional PEO

Tandem HR in Your State

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Pros & Cons

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Pros
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Only Illinois-Headquartered CPEO and ESAC Dual Credential
Tandem HR holds the unique position of being the only IRS-certified CPEO and ESAC-accredited PEO with headquarters in Illinois. For Chicago and Illinois businesses, this means CPEO tax protections combined with deep local market expertise and face-to-face service availability.
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Dedicated Four-Person Client Team Model
Every Tandem HR client receives a dedicated team consisting of an HR generalist, benefits specialist, risk manager, and payroll specialist. This model eliminates the generic call center experience and ensures consistent, knowledgeable support across all HR functions.
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Broker-Friendly Approach with Carve-Out Option
Unlike most PEOs that force clients to abandon their existing insurance broker relationships, Tandem HR actively works alongside insurance brokers and allows carve-outs. This is a meaningful differentiator for companies with existing broker relationships they want to preserve.
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Cons
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Vensure Integration Transition
The 2024 acquisition by Vensure Employer Solutions introduces a transition period. Platform integrations, service structure, and account team continuity may evolve as Tandem HR integrates with the broader Vensure family of companies.
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Midwest Primary Strength
Tandem HR built its reputation and service infrastructure in the Chicago and Midwest market. While it serves clients nationally, businesses with primary operations in other regions may find PEOs with deeper local presence in those markets more responsive.
PEO Authority Editorial Note

Tandem HR is the largest privately held PEO in the Midwest and the only IRS-certified, ESAC-accredited CPEO headquartered in Illinois. Founded in 1998 by benefits consultant Bruce Leon, the firm was built on a high-touch service model that assigns every client a dedicated four-person team covering HR, benefits, risk, and payroll. In 2024, Tandem joined the Vensure Employer Solutions family, gaining expanded benefit resources while maintaining its distinctive Chicago-area service culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

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