ADP TotalSource Review

• ADP TotalSource is a PEO provider that gives businesses access to a dedicated team of HR subject matter experts for ongoing personalized support.
• ADP TotalSource provides businesses with access to high-level benefits options at rates that smaller companies typically don’t have access to.
• The service helps businesses stay on top of compliance issues through helpful technology tools and access to knowledgeable compliance experts.
• This review is for small business owners who want to learn more about ADP TotalSource PEO.
  ADP TotalSource is a professional employer organization (PEO) service for businesses of all sizes.

ADP provides all of the standard PEO tools – including payroll processing, onboarding and benefits administration – on a user-friendly HR platform. However, ADP TotalSource stands out for its expert HR support offerings. Each ADP TotalSource customer receives access to a team of subject matter experts who provide personalized guidance on matters such as payroll, compliance and HR strategy. For these reasons, we selected ADP TotalSource as the best PEO for expert advice.

ADP TotalSource Editor’s Score: 91/100

Editor’s note: Looking for the right PEO service for your business? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.

Why ADP TotalSource Is Best for Expert Advice

Most PEO services provide you with some form of dedicated HR support. However, ADP TotalSource takes it a step further: The company doesn’t just assign you a dedicated account manager; it also connects you with a whole team of experts who will offer you personalized support based on your company’s unique needs.

This team is there for expert insight on specific HR matters, like policy development and benefits administration, so you will still need to contact ADP’s customer support line for billing and tech questions. These experts can provide customized solutions and HR advice tailored to your business’s unique needs. Whether you have a question about employee classifications or need help adjusting your policies to fit a change in labor laws, these experts are there to help.

Pros

• You get access to a wide range of HR experts who can provide personalized support on specific HR, payroll, benefits or compliance concerns.
• ADP TotalSource offers comprehensive benefits options for employees.
• ADP TotalSource includes a user-friendly tech platform and strong employee self-service tools.

Cons

• ADP TotalSource does not offer transparent pricing, so businesses need to contact the company to obtain a quote.
• There is a five-employee minimum.
• While ADP offers access to many experts in the PEO’s standard offerings, businesses must pay an additional fee to get advice from recruiting experts and organizational development consultants.

Key takeaway: ach ADP TotalSource client is assigned a TotalSource service team with payroll specialists, 401(k) specialists and other key contacts for personalized support.

The ADP dashboard provides key information, including news, pending compliance tasks and the contact information for your personalized support team. Credit: ADP

Usability

We tested the ADP TotalSource platform through ADP’s self-guided tour. We found the platform very easy to navigate. The user interface is clean and intuitive, even though the features themselves are fairly advanced.

The compliance dashboard was a standout feature for us. A lot of small businesses have trouble keeping track of regulatory changes or making sure they have collected all of the right paperwork from employees, but the ADP TotalSource dashboard provides great visibility into pending compliance items. 

Adding to the PEO’s excellent usability are its integrations; ADP’s platform integrates with over 300 software tools. The ADP marketplace includes an easy-to-use add-on that allows customers to integrate the software with compatible third-party applications, including applicant tracking systems, productivity tools and accounting solutions. Some popular integrations include Slack, Intuit QuickBooks and Xero. ADP can also create a custom API if you need an integration it doesn’t currently offer.

Did you know?: Unlike HR software vendors, PEOs typically don’t offer free trials. However, you can test out the ADP TotalSource platform with the self-guided tour on ADP’s website.

ADP TotalSource Features

Compliance

ADP TotalSource monitors changes to payroll regulations and employment laws, such as minimum-wage laws, and alerts customers to necessary updates to their employment practices. Each customer is assigned an ADP HR business partner who will assist the company in creating new policies or refining existing ones. ADP TotalSource also has an HR handbook team for employers that want to create and order full employee handbooks.

For better visibility, compliance to-do items are displayed on the ADP homepage. The compliance tracking features on ADP’s platform make it easy to review any pending compliance items. The database alerts users to regulatory changes, missing data and pending compliance matters.

ADP TotalSource tracks regulatory changes and alerts users to any urgent compliance matters. Source: ADP

Onboarding

ADP TotalSource provides onboarding workflow templates to make onboarding new hires a quick and easy experience. The selected workflow template guides employers through the process of entering employee information and payroll data, with easy-to-follow on-screen prompts. The onboarding process is similarly easy from the employee side. New hires can fill out their information by following a series of prompts and sign any required documents on their computer or mobile device through ADP.

The ADP onboarding process is mobile-friendly and allows employees to get a head start on setting up their direct deposit information and completing required onboarding paperwork. Credit: ADP

Benefits

ADP TotalSource provides employees of small and midsize businesses with high-level benefits at rates that are usually available only to large enterprises. Available benefits include medical, vision and dental insurance; an employee assistance program (EAP); commuter benefits; 401(k) plans; and more. ADP TotalSource can offer benefits to employees in all 50 states, though employers that need to offer benefits internationally should check out our Papaya Global PEO review.

The open enrollment process is very easy for employees to complete through ADP. The platform lets users compare plans and costs side by side so employees can select the best option for them. Employees can also access benefits through the ADP mobile app.

ADP’s plan comparison tool helps employees understand the benefit plan options available to them. Credit: ADP

Payroll Processing

The ADP platform provides easy payroll processing and a helpful to-do list where business owners can review any items that require their attention. ADP calculates and withholds federal, state and local payroll taxes and automatically sends them to the government. The company also prepares and files the required payroll tax documents and W-2 forms. ADP will even handle unemployment taxes and claims. If clients ever have a question about payroll or taxes, they can reach out to their dedicated payroll and tax support specialists for guidance.

The ADP payroll dashboard clearly displays recent payroll data and outstanding payroll tasks. Credit: ADP

Reporting and Analytics

The ADP reporting dashboard includes over 300 pre-built reports related to payroll, time and attendance, and more. There is also a custom report builder that allows users to create their own customized reports. These reports can be exported into PDF, CSV or Excel files. Users can also have reports sent to their email inbox as a one-off request or on a recurring basis. Recurring reports are helpful for time and attendance tracking and payroll. The reporting dashboard provides helpful real-time insights to help business owners make better decisions.

ADP TotalSource Cost

Like many PEOs, ADP provides customized pricing, so you’ll need to provide information on your business’s size and needs to obtain an accurate price quote. ADP’s main service includes a wide range of bundled services, including payroll, expert HR support and access to the popular ADP tech platform. ADP has a five-employee minimum, which is also standard in the PEO industry. 

It is worth noting that ADP lists the following services as add-ons. If you want access to these tools and support services, your quote may be a bit higher:

• ADP Marketplace with third-party integration tools
• Talent acquisition tools and specialists
• ADP DataCloud enhanced data insights and benchmarking
• Resume search service by ADP certified recruiters
• Organizational development consultation
• Time-tracking and scheduling tools

We recommend that you request a written breakdown of pricing and fees before signing any agreements. Ask an ADP representative to spell out exactly what services you will receive and which features you can access for the price you will pay each month. Doing so will help you adequately compare ADP TotalSource with other PEO options you might be considering.

ADP TotalSource Setup

When you sign up for ADP TotalSource, the PEO asks that you designate a staff member to act as a point of contact throughout the setup process. The ADP team will take care of most of the process but will partner with the employee to keep them in the loop throughout the implementation phase and system testing. The company estimates that this will require about one hour per day for the first couple of weeks.

From there, ADP will assign you a dedicated human resources business partner, who will walk you through the different PEO features and available HR experts. The total setup takes a few weeks, which is fairly average for a PEO.

ADP TotalSource Customer Service

ADP offers exceptional expert support. With HR consultants specifically for your business, you can get quick answers to all of your HR or payroll questions. These consultants can also provide important guidance and input on administrative business decisions. We were impressed with the team of experts ADP puts together on your behalf, which effectively acts as an extension of (or substitution for) your internal HR team.

In addition, ADP offers general customer support by phone or email, and the company has help and support pages to walk administrators through common concerns. The HR experts are there to help clients with HR, payroll and compliance concerns, but PEO customers can contact customer service for login issues, tech support or billing issues. ADP also offers automated phone support for common questions, which may be a more efficient solution for less-complex concerns. To see our pick for the PEO with the best customer service, read our Justworks PEO review.

ADP TotalSource Drawbacks

One limitation is that ADP only offers custom price quotes. This is fairly standard in the PEO industry, but it is a bit of a hassle for business owners who are shopping for a PEO. Another minor drawback related to pricing is that some services, like recruiting support and employee scheduling, are priced as add-ons. They’re still helpful tools to consider adding to your service package, but they are extra costs to keep in mind. And because ADP doesn’t list its pricing, it is hard to estimate how much these add-ons inflate the overall cost.

Like many of the PEOs we reviewed, ADP requires a minimum of five employees, which means the service may not be an option for microbusinesses. If you have fewer than five employees, take a look at our Justworks PEO review, as this PEO has a lower minimum. 

Methodology

We conducted comprehensive research and analyzed dozens of PEO offerings to identify the top PEO solutions on the market. We watched product videos, reviewed customer feedback, completed a self-guided demo and looked at ADP informational materials. When evaluating the support options provided by PEO services, we prioritized subject matter expertise, ease of contact and the client experience. We were impressed by ADP’s expansive team of experts assigned to each customer. Each HR segment has its own complexities, and we like that ADP customers get to work with specialists in each area rather than with one HR generalist.

ADP FAQs

Is ADP TotalSource an IRS-certified PEO?

Yes, ADP TotalSource is an IRS-certified PEO, meaning the company can work directly with the IRS. ADP also has ESAC certification.

What is the onboarding time for ADP PEO?

Companies that are getting started with ADP TotalSource PEO should expect the process to take about two to four weeks, on average.

What benefits can ADP TotalSource PEO offer employees?

With ADP TotalSource, eligible employees can enroll in competitive health, vision, dental, mental health, EAP, commuter benefits, employee perks and discounts, 401(k) plans and more.

What type of HR support does ADP TotalSource provide?

In addition to the helpful payroll, HR and reporting tools available from the ADP Workforce Now technology suite, ADP TotalSource PEO customers can access HR support from a team of specialized HR experts with backgrounds in payroll, compliance, benefits and other key areas.

Overall Value

We recommend ADP TotalSource for … 

• Businesses of any size that want comprehensive PEO services.
• Business owners that need hands-on, personalized HR support.
• Businesses that want to offer comprehensive benefits to their employees.

We don’t recommend ADP TotalSource for …

• Very small businesses with fewer than five employees.
• Businesses that prefer a transparent pricing model.