Group Management Services
Group Management Services is a Certified Professional Employer Organization founded in 1996 that provides co-employment HR outsourcing — payroll, benefits, risk management, and compliance — to more than 3,500 small and midsize U.S. businesses across twelve-plus verticals, anchored by its proprietary GMS Connect HRIS platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersRichfield, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Group Management Services does
Group Management Services (GMS) is a privately held Certified Professional Employer Organization (PEO) founded in 1996 and headquartered in Richfield, Ohio. The company delivers co-employment HR outsourcing to more than 3,500 small and midsize businesses across the United States, covering roughly 50,000 worksite employees through 25 regional offices. GMS targets a long roster of SMB verticals — transportation and logistics, staffing, light manufacturing, construction, janitorial, auto repair, landscaping, home health care, credit unions, technology, machinery, and plumbing/HVAC — where business owners lack dedicated internal HR infrastructure.
GMS's product surface is anchored by GMS Connect, a proprietary HRIS platform that consolidates payroll processing, employee records, benefits administration, time tracking, onboarding, and reporting into a single system, with employee self-service extended to iOS and Android via the GMS Connect mobile application (launched 2021). The commercial stack is organized around two tiers — a Simpler Package (core HR, payroll, risk management) and a Stronger Package (adding 401(k), EPLI, cyber liability, legal services, time clocks) — supplemented by add-on modules priced per employee per month or on a quote basis. Differentiated offerings include the Master Health Plan, which pools the 50,000+ worksite employee base to deliver group health coverage at 21% average premium savings, a Multiple Employer Plan 401(k) administered with Transamerica, telemedicine via Teladoc, an Employee Assistance Program, and integrated risk management spanning workers' compensation, cyber liability, and fleet telematics through OneStep GPS. The platform is certified as a CPEO by the IRS and holds AICPA SOC compliance.
GMS generates revenue primarily through recurring PEPM service fees bundled into the Simpler and Stronger packages, with additional monetization from quoted health insurance administration, workers' compensation premiums, voluntary benefits, and risk management add-ons such as GPS tracking and training services. The go-to-market is sales-led: a direct sales force and dedicated account managers acquire and retain SMB clients, supported by a referral program, content marketing, podcasting, and direct quote request channels. The company has scaled through both organic growth and two disclosed acquisitions — Synergy (February 2021) and Simpeo (January 2023) — and recently appointed a Chief Revenue Officer in March 2026 to drive the next leg of expansion.
Group Management Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Group Management Services
- Legal name
- Group Management Services, Inc.
- Website
- https://groupmgmt.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Group Management Services is a Certified Professional Employer Organization founded in 1996 that provides co-employment HR outsourcing — payroll, benefits, risk management, and compliance — to more than 3,500 small and midsize U.S. businesses across twelve-plus verticals, anchored by its proprietary GMS Connect HRIS platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Group Management Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Employer Organization Services
- NAICS
- Professional Employer Organizations (561330)
- SIC
- Services-Management Services (8741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- HRIS/HCM Managed Services & Support (BPAEAGAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Group HMO Plans (FSAIAFAK), Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) Management (HLAEAHAB)
Keywords
Where Group Management Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Richfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Group Management Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- PEO Co-Employment Services: GMS operates as a Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO) providing co-employment services including payroll processing, benefits administration, HR compliance, workers' compensation, and risk management. Revenue is generated through service fees bundled with employer payroll tax responsibilities under a co-employment model.
- Health Insurance Administration: GMS provides access to their exclusive Master Health Plan, providing group health coverage through collective buying power. GMS acts as employer of record and pools worksite employees across client companies to negotiate better rates.
- Tiered HR Service Packages: GMS offers two main service packages (Simpler and Stronger) with different feature sets. Additional services like time clocks, 401(k) programs, EPLI coverage, and cyber liability are priced additively per employee per month (PEPM) or as quoted services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Simpler Package - Core HR, payroll, and risk management services |
| Subscription | Monthly | Stronger Package - Comprehensive HR and PEO services |
| Quote-based/ custom | Annual | Health Insurance - Master Health Plan |
| Quote-based/ custom | Monthly | Benefits Add-ons |
| Other | Monthly | Risk Management Add-ons |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Group Management Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Group Management Services (GMS) is an IRS Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO) that delivers co-employment HR outsourcing for small and midsize businesses. Through its proprietary GMS Connect HRIS platform, GMS bundles payroll processing, benefits administration, HR compliance, workers' compensation, risk management, and employee self-service into a single integrated offering, supported by a network of 25 U.S. offices.
Product overview
Group Management Services (GMS) operates as a Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO) offering a comprehensive, modular PEO platform that consolidates HR, payroll, benefits, and risk management services. The core offering is anchored by GMS Connect, a proprietary HRIS platform that serves as the central workforce management hub integrating payroll processing, employee records, benefits administration, and time tracking. The platform operates through two service tiers: the Simpler Package (entry-level) and the Stronger Package (premium). Key integrated modules include the Master Health Plan (exclusive group health insurance leveraging 50,000+ worksite employees), supplemental insurance offerings (dental, vision, life, disability), 401(k)/Multiple Employer Plan with Transamerica, telemedicine via Teladoc, Employee Assistance Program, and risk management services including workers' compensation, cyber liability, and EPLI coverage. The GMS Connect Mobile App extends platform access to employees via iOS and Android. Additional optional add-ons include OneStep GPS fleet management, performance management tools, learning management systems, earned wage access via ZayZoon, and various voluntary benefits.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- GMS Connect HRIS Platform Proprietary workforce management platform that consolidates payroll processing, employee records, benefits administration, time tracking, reporting, and employee self-service in a single unified system for client employers.
- Payroll Services Full-service payroll processing and tax management including direct deposits, PTO tracking, payroll tax filing, and employee self-service access to pay stubs and W-2s for small and midsize business clients.
- Human Resources Services PEO HR services including employee onboarding, recruiting, training, performance management, HR audits, unemployment claims management, and federal/state employment compliance support for client employers.
- Risk Management Services Workplace safety programs, workers' compensation management, EPLI coverage, cyber liability insurance, fleet management oversight, and compliance guidance to minimize business risks for client employers.
- Master Health Plan Exclusive group health insurance plan providing customizable medical coverage leveraging the collective buying power of more than 50,000 worksite employees, with access to a nationwide provider network.
- Supplemental Insurance Plans Voluntary supplemental benefits including dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, critical illness, accident insurance, legal services, and pet insurance for client employees.
- 401(k) Multiple Employer Plan Multiple Employer Plan that shifts fiduciary responsibilities from the employer to GMS, providing 401(k) administration including nondiscrimination testing, Form 5500 filing, and compliance supervision through partnership with Transamerica.
- Workers' Compensation Insurance Workers' compensation coverage and policy management providing protection for employees injured on the job, including claims processing and workplace injury reporting for client companies.
- Cyber Liability Insurance Insurance coverage protecting client businesses against financial losses and data breaches resulting from cyber incidents, available through the Stronger package or as a per-employee-per-month add-on.
- EPLI Coverage Employment Practices Liability Insurance protecting client employers against claims of workplace discrimination, harassment, or wrongful termination; included in the Stronger service package.
- OneStep GPS Fleet Management GPS tracking, electronic logging device (ELD) monitoring, and dashcam solutions for fleet vehicles, available as an additional monthly charge for transportation and logistics clients.
- GMS Connect Mobile App Mobile application available on iOS and Android providing client employees access to pay history, PTO balances, insurance cards, 401(k) information, claims tracking, telemedicine, and earned wage access through the GMS Connect platform.
- Telemedicine Virtual healthcare access through Teladoc providing cost-effective medical consultations for client employees and their families via the telehealth platform.
- Employee Assistance Program 24/7 confidential counseling and support services for client employees addressing mental health, substance abuse, legal concerns, financial planning, and work-life balance issues.
- Earned Wage Access Early access to earned wages feature allowing client employees to receive a portion of their earned pay before the scheduled payday, delivered through the ZayZoon integration inside GMS Connect.
Quantifiable outcome
- 21% savings on employee health insurance premiums and 16% on family plans with Master Health Plan
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Group Management Services
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Group Management Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration19 records
Feature3 records
Group Management Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- TransamericacoreTransamerica serves as the 401(k) provider for GMS's Multiple Employer Plan (MEP). GMS offers 401(k) and profit sharing plans through this partnership, allowing businesses to access retirement benefits without the traditional fiduciary burdens.
- MediClm (MediConnexx)coreMediClm provides the technology platform for GMS's employee benefits administration, including claims management, EOB processing, and provider login access.
- Lumina Imaging & DiagnosticsminorLumina provides imaging and diagnostics services available through GMS benefits packages, offering employees access to diagnostic imaging services as part of comprehensive health coverage.
- TeladoccoreTeladoc provides telemedicine services available through GMS benefits, enabling employees to access virtual healthcare consultations.
- Lincoln Financial GroupcoreLincoln Financial provides life insurance, supplemental life, STD/LTD, and accident & critical illness coverage options available through GMS benefits packages.
- Delta DentalcoreDelta Dental provides dental insurance coverage available through GMS benefits packages, offering comprehensive dental coverage options.
- VSP VisioncoreVSP provides vision insurance coverage available through GMS benefits packages, offering comprehensive eye care and eyewear coverage.
- MetLifecoreMetLife provides legal insurance services available through GMS benefits packages, offering employees access to legal consultation services.
- Norton/LifeLockcoreNorton/LifeLock provides cyber safety and identity protection services available as add-on options with GMS cyber liability packages.
- Total Pet PlanminorTotal Pet Plan provides pet insurance coverage available through GMS voluntary benefits, offering employees pet health coverage.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Group Management Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ADP TotalSource: ADP's TotalSource division is a large, broad PEO offering bundled HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance across the U.S., directly competing with GMS for SMB clients as part of ADP's much larger portfolio.
- Paychex: Paychex is a major incumbent payroll-and-HR-outsourcing provider with a PEO arm serving SMBs; broader portfolio (payroll-only, retirement, insurance) makes it a strong adjacent comparable for GMS's payroll and benefits module.
Direct peers
- Sequoia One: Sequoia is a tech-enabled PEO serving SMB and mid-market customers with similar bundled HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance offerings, providing a comparable digital-native PEO business-model reference point.
- TriNet: TriNet is a PEO specializing in HR solutions for small and midsize businesses, including payroll, benefits, and risk management — directly comparable to GMS's SMB-focused PEO platform.
- Vensure Employer Services: Vensure is a large PEO providing HR outsourcing, payroll, benefits, and risk management to small and mid-sized businesses across multiple verticals — directly comparable in offering, segment, and delivery model.
- Insperity: Insperity (NYSE: NSP) is one of the largest publicly traded PEOs in the U.S., serving SMBs with bundled HR, payroll, benefits, and workers' comp — the most direct comparable to GMS's core offering and segment.
- Asure Software (formerly Oasis Outsourcing / iSystems): Asure operates a PEO franchise (historically Oasis) serving small and mid-market employers with HR, payroll, benefits, and workers' comp — a direct PEO peer with overlapping vertical focus on SMBs.
Emerging players
- Paycor: Paycor provides HR and payroll software for SMBs, including benefits administration and talent management, overlapping meaningfully with GMS's HRIS and payroll modules though without the full co-employment PEO model.
- Rippling: Rippling is a fast-growing HR, payroll, benefits, and IT platform that competes with PEOs in the SMB market by bundling workforce management with software-native delivery — a relevant emerging comparable on product scope and target customer.
- Justworks: Justworks is a tech-enabled PEO offering payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance to SMBs via a modern platform — directly comparable on products and segment, with a more digital-first delivery model that increasingly competes for the same accounts as GMS.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Group Management Services social profiles
Digital presenceGroup Management Services compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Group Management Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Group Management Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Group Management Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Group Management Services M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Group Management Services
What does Group Management Services do?
Group Management Services (GMS) is an IRS Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO) that delivers co-employment HR outsourcing for small and midsize businesses. Through its proprietary GMS Connect HRIS platform, GMS bundles payroll processing, benefits administration, HR compliance, workers' compensation, risk management, and employee self-service into a single integrated offering, supported by a network of 25 U.S. offices.
Is Group Management Services a public or private company?
Group Management Services is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Group Management Services founded?
Group Management Services was founded in 1996. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Group Management Services based?
Group Management Services is headquartered in Richfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does Group Management Services make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. PEO Co-Employment Services are the primary driver. The others are health Insurance Administration and tiered HR Service Packages.
Who are Group Management Services's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ADP TotalSource and Paychex. Direct peers are Sequoia One, TriNet, Vensure Employer Services, Insperity and Asure Software (formerly Oasis Outsourcing / iSystems). Emerging players are Paycor, Rippling and Justworks.
Does Group Management Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Group Management Services.
What industry is Group Management Services in?
Group Management Services's product category is Professional Employer Organization Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAGAF, HRIS/HCM Managed Services & Support, with a secondary code of FSAIAFAK, Group HMO Plans. Its NAICS code is 561330 and its SIC code is 8741.