Certifications and Distinctions

Employer Services Assurance Corporation (ESAC) Accredited

Nextep was accredited and became a participant in ESAC’s Client Assurance Program in September 2004. Accreditation with ESAC allows Nextep to provide assurance to our clients, worksite employees, insurers, taxing authorities and regulators. Established in 1995, ESAC provides financial assurance to clients through surety bonds held by the Employer Services Trust on behalf of each participating PEO. In order to provide this financial guarantee, ESAC has a strict monitoring process of ethical, financial and operational standards to ensure continued compliance. ESAC’s program provides similar assurance to those of the highly respected FDIC for the banking industry. Since its inception in 1995, ESAC has not had a single default by an accredited firm, any unresolved complaints, nor any litigation.

Client Benefits:
This accreditation gives our clients the following advantages: Verification that our firm is stable financially, in compliance with rules and regulations set by state and federal governments, and is ethically and operationally sound. Financial protection with a $1 million surety bond per PEO and $5 million in excess coverage for all participating PEOs for losses to clients, worksite employees, taxing authorities, and insurance companies in the unlikely event that a PEO would default on its financial responsibilities such as payment of wages, taxes, employee benefits and insurance premiums. Nextep undergoes quarterly verification of compliance with the timely payment of state and federal payroll taxes, contributions to employee retirement plans, and payment of health insurance premiums. For more information, please visit the ESAC website at www.esacorp.org.

NAPEO Member

NAPEO, the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations, is the recognized national trade association of the PEO industry representing more than 370 Professional Employer Organizations nationwide. For more information about NAPEO please visit www.napeo.org.

Workers’ Compensation - Risk Management Certification

Nextep has received Workers’ Compensation (WC) and Risk Management Certification from The Certification Institute. The Certification Institute provides independent, professional verification that an PEO's risk management program is meeting proven insurance industry risk management best practices to reduce work-related accidents and health exposures and control WC insurance losses. This certification gives PEO client business owners assurance that their service provider has the capability to deliver important risk management results. This certification also provides WC insurance companies with ongoing assurance that an PEO is in fact implementing industry best practices in a consistent and effective manner.

The Certification Institute is an independent, non-profit organization that is backed by the support of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) and the Employer Services Assurance Corporation (ESAC). Representatives of workers’ compensation insurance companies and PEO industry leaders manage the certification program.

For more information, please visit http://www.certificationinstitute.org.

APA Member

Nextep’s payroll managers are members of the American Payroll Association (APA). The APA is dedicated to providing ongoing education, recognition, and support to its members and to the public. Members have ready access to payroll experts and reference materials.

Through the APA, Nextep’s payroll managers earn Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) and Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), showing the dedication and level of knowledge and professionalism Nextep provides to our clients.

For more information, please visit http://www.americanpayroll.org.

SHRM Member

Nextep’s Human Resource Consultants are members of SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management. SHRM is the world’s largest human resources organization, dedicated to developing and promoting important compliance and organizational practices. With more than 210,000 members, SHRM is able to provide an extensive knowledge and resource base to its members. Nextep is able to both utilize and contribute to that knowledge, in turn benefiting our clients.

Through SHRM’s affiliate, the HR Certification Institute, Nextep’s HR consultants earn Professional of Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR) certifications, demonstrating their expertise and proficiency in the field.

For more information, visit the SHRM website.

ABA Certification

Nextep’s Accounting specialists achieve certification as Accredited Business Accountants (ABA). Given by the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation® (ACAT), the ABA is earned through a combination of successful accounting experience and successful completion of a detailed eight-hour exam.

Nextep’s Accounting specialists are also members of the National Society of Accountants (NSA), an organization which represents more than 30,000 independent practitioners who provide accounting, tax, auditing, financial and estate planning, and management services to 19 million individuals and businesses. Both Nextep and the NSA hold their accounting specialists to a high standard and support continued training. For more information, please visit http://www.acatcredentials.org or http://www.nsacct.org.