PEO Advisory ServicesLet's Stop
Riding the Waves
and get you to smooth sailing.
16 years in the PEO industry. 40+ vetted partners. One advisor who's sat on both sides — and knows exactly how to find calm waters for your business.
Trusted advisor to teams at
The Problem
PEO selection is broken for buyers
Most companies select a PEO by talking to sales reps — which means they're getting the pitch, not the picture.
Proposals that don't compare
Every PEO quotes differently. Without a framework to normalize proposals, you're not comparing the same thing.
Hidden cost escalators
Renewal rate increases, bundled fees, and WC mark-ups that weren't visible in the original proposal.
No independent guidance
PEO sales reps represent the PEO, not you. There's no advisor in the room who's focused on your outcome.
The Solution
A broker who works for you, not the PEO
We represent buyers. Our advisory process is built to surface the right fit — not the highest commission. Free to you, funded by the provider you choose.
See How It WorksHow It Works
From discovery to deployed in 60 days
A structured 4-step process designed to get you to the right PEO faster and with full confidence.
Discovery Call
30-minute intake to map your current setup, pain points, headcount, states, and growth trajectory.
Market Scan
We run your profile against our network of 40+ PEOs and shortlist the top 3-5 providers for your situation.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Normalized proposal analysis across cost, benefits quality, compliance strength, and service model.
Selection & Transition
We guide negotiation, contract review, and implementation planning so your transition is smooth and fast.
Why Us
The broker advantage
Most businesses go directly to PEO sales reps. Our clients go through us — and the results speak for themselves.
We represent you, not the PEO. No quotas, no preferred partners.
Every proposal normalized against live market data from 40+ providers.
From discovery to implementation — we manage the entire process.
Our advisory is free to you. Compensated by the provider you select.
Our Team
Leadership Team
Deep industry expertise, built from the inside out — with experience on both sides of the PEO relationship.
Ashley Cook
Founder & Principal Advisor
Strategic PEO Partners
Let's Stop Riding the Waves — And Get You to Smooth Sailing
Ashley Cook has spent 16 years in the PEO industry, working with both small and large PEOs — many of which have grown through acquisition. She has developed deep industry knowledge of what each PEO specializes in and takes a thorough, no-stone-unturned approach when helping businesses identify the right solutions.
Ashley's passion stems from growing up in a family of entrepreneurs. Her parents owned a janitorial commercial cleaning company in Orange County, where she witnessed firsthand the ups and downs of running a business — shaping her understanding of the complexities owners face around compliance, culture, and attracting top talent.
Starting as an SDR, Ashley advanced into sales, then leadership — overseeing a region of five offices and 48 sales representatives across Texas. Over eight years in leadership, she developed hundreds of sales professionals and helped build top-performing teams, including a number one office in the nation.
Today, Ashley represents more than 40 PEOs nationwide, allowing her to focus solely on identifying the best fit for each client. She has also carefully selected a network of elite PEO representatives to ensure her clients are aligned with partners who truly meet their needs.
"If the timing is right, the value proposition makes sense, and the pricing aligns — Ashley welcomes the opportunity to connect."
Areas of Expertise
Mission Statement
Our goal: Help 1,000 C-Level Executives attract and retain top talent.
Industries
Built for your sector
PEO needs vary dramatically by industry. We bring sector-specific expertise to every engagement.
Technology
140+ clientsMulti-state hiring, equity comp, remote workforce compliance.
Healthcare
85+ clientsCredentialing complexity, WC exposure, shift-based payroll.
Construction
60+ clientsCertified payroll, union vs. non-union, high WC mod management.
Staffing
55+ clientsCo-employment risk, high turnover, multi-client billing.
Professional Services
70+ clientsPartner comp structures, multi-state filings, benefits benchmarking.
Hospitality
45+ clientsSeasonal workforces, tip management, high turnover payroll.
Client Testimonials
What our clients are saying
Real results from companies who used our advisory process.
"We were drowning in disconnected payroll, benefits, and compliance tools across four states. Strategic PEO Partners mapped our situation in a week and had us live with a new provider in 60 days. The savings were real."
"Going directly to PEOs gave us wildly inconsistent quotes and zero context on what actually mattered. Having a broker who understood our workers' comp exposure and multi-state complexity changed the conversation entirely."
"We outgrew Gusto but had no idea what came next. The comparison process was eye-opening. We ended up selecting a provider that was 30% better on benefits and had dedicated HR support we didn't think we could afford."
Ready to see what the right PEO could do for your business?
Let us help you find the right PEO & partner with us to make a strategic move.
PEO + Partners = Strategy
Book Your Free Consultation