Total Reward Solutions
Total Reward Solutions is a privately-held, Indianapolis-based compensation consulting firm founded in 2005 that provides project-based and outsourced compensation services — including market benchmarking, total rewards assessments, executive pay analysis, and FLSA compliance audits — to mid-market organizations across 20+ industries, augmented by the SHRM-validated Compensation Sense 101 book, audiobook, and training course.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersIndianapolis, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Total Reward Solutions does
Total Reward Solutions (TRS) is a privately-held, founder-led compensation and total rewards consulting firm headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, operating since 2005 as a single-entity LLC under Indiana law. The firm specializes in compensation consulting services for mid-market organizations with 30 to 4,000 employees across more than 20 industries, including healthcare, staffing, pharmaceutical/biotech, technology, and government sectors. Its core service portfolio spans market benchmarking, total rewards assessments, executive benchmarking, sales compensation design, base pay analysis, discrimination and equity analyses, incentive compensation planning, FLSA compliance audits, and custom compensation consulting engagements delivered through project-based work, retainers, or fully outsourced compensation provider arrangements.
The company's core technology consists of proprietary consulting methodologies and frameworks rather than software products — most notably the Total Rewards Strategic Assessment (TRSA), the 21-Point Compensation Audit, and Total Reward Statements — augmented by branded content assets including the SHRM-validated 'Compensation Sense 101' book (print, e-book, 2025 audiobook), the 'Compensation Sense' turnkey consulting system for independent advisors, and a four-week 'Introduction to Compensation' professional training course. Underlying delivery relies on certified human expertise (CCP, SPHR, SHRM-SCP credentials held by founder Cassandra Faurote) performing manual analysis against salary survey data, with no proprietary AI/ML or software platform disclosed.
The business model is professional services revenue (project-based and retainer consulting with quote-based pricing determined by job titles, employee count, locations, and survey sources), supplemented by training course fees ($399-$499 per seat) and modest book/audiobook royalty income from Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. Distribution is direct B2B sales to HR departments and C-suite executives, supported by a content marketing engine comprising blog content, a newsletter, conference speaking engagements (Indiana SHRM, Kentucky SHRM), podcast appearances (Workforce Therapy Podcast), and earned media in Lattice's Resources for Humans Magazine, Indianapolis Business Journal, and Indy Maven. The Compensation Sense licensing system represents a nascent productized-IP distribution channel targeting independent compensation advisors outside Indiana.
Total Reward Solutions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Total Reward Solutions
- Legal name
- Total Reward Solutions, LLC
- Website
- https://totalrsolutions.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Total Reward Solutions is a privately-held, Indianapolis-based compensation consulting firm founded in 2005 that provides project-based and outsourced compensation services — including market benchmarking, total rewards assessments, executive pay analysis, and FLSA compliance audits — to mid-market organizations across 20+ industries, augmented by the SHRM-validated Compensation Sense 101 book, audiobook, and training course.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Total Reward Solutions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Compensation Consulting
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Compensation, Benefits & Total Rewards Advisory (BPACAJAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Compensation, Benefits & Rewards Consulting (BPAHAGAF), Benefits Administration & Total Rewards Outsourcing (BPACAKAE), Compensation, Benefits & Total Rewards Training (EDABAIAD)
Keywords
Where Total Reward Solutions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Indianapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Total Reward Solutions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Compensation Consulting Services: Project-based and retainer-based compensation consulting engagements. Services include market benchmarking, base pay analysis, executive compensation benchmarking, sales compensation design, FLSA compliance audits, discrimination analyses, and total rewards strategic assessments.
- Training Course Revenue: Introduction to Compensation professional course offered at $399 (early-bird) or $499 (regular) per person, with group and client discounts available. Course runs 4 hours weekly over 4 weeks via Microsoft Teams.
- Book Sales: Sales of Compensation Sense 101 book in print, e-book, and audiobook formats through Amazon, Audible, and iTunes platforms.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Professional Training Course - Early Bird |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Professional Training Course - Regular |
| Unit Pricing | Other | Group Discount |
| Other | Other | Compensation Study |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Total Reward Solutions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Total Reward Solutions is a compensation and total rewards consulting firm that designs competitive compensation programs for organizations through market benchmarking, base pay and merit structure development, executive and sales compensation design, FLSA compliance audits, and discrimination/equity analyses. The firm delivers these services via project-based engagements, retainer arrangements, or fully outsourced compensation provider models, and complements them with the proprietary "Compensation Sense" turnkey consulting system, the SHRM-validated "Compensation Sense 101" book and audiobook, and an "Introduction to Compensation" training course.
Product overview
Total Reward Solutions is a compensation consulting firm offering a portfolio of professional services centered on compensation and benefits consulting. The core offering includes Market Benchmarking, Total Rewards Assessments, Executive Benchmarking, Sales Compensation design, Base Pay Analysis, Discrimination & Equity Analyses, Incentive Compensation planning, and Custom Compensation Solutions. The company also offers proprietary branded products including Compensation Sense (a turnkey consulting system), the Compensation Sense 101 book and audiobook, and an Introduction to Compensation professional course. Services are delivered through project-based engagements, retainer arrangements, or fully outsourced compensation provider partnerships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Compensation Sense: A turnkey consulting system and brand associated with the company's published book Compensation Sense 101 and related educational resources.
Products and services
- Compensation Sense A turnkey consulting system powered by Total Reward Solutions that empowers independent compensation advisors to take control of their future; represents the company's flagship consulting methodology and brand.
- Market Benchmarking Analysis of external marketplace data to provide organizations with information on the value of their staff positions relative to market rates, without requiring participation in salary surveys.
- Total Rewards Assessments Evaluation of an organization's total rewards philosophy, practices, and programs to determine alignment with corporate goals and identify areas for improvement.
- Executive Benchmarking Specialized market compensation analysis for executive-level positions to ensure competitive pay relative to market standards for leadership roles.
- Sales Compensation Design and development of sales incentive compensation plans tailored to motivate sales teams and align with organizational revenue goals.
- Base Pay Analysis Development of base salary and merit pay structures to establish competitive and equitable compensation frameworks for organizations.
- Discrimination and Equity Analyses Review and analysis of compensation practices to identify potential pay inequities and ensure compliance with fair pay regulations.
- Incentive Compensation Design and implementation of variable pay plans including profit sharing, gain sharing, and bonus programs to motivate employee performance.
- Custom Compensation Solutions Tailored compensation consulting services addressing unique organizational needs including job description development, compensation policy creation, and strategic compensation planning.
- Total Rewards Strategic Assessment (TRSA) A comprehensive assessment service reviewing an organization's total rewards philosophy, compensation practices, benefits, performance management, and communications to create a strategic roadmap for the next two to three years.
- Total Reward Statements Customized total reward statements helping employees understand their complete compensation package including monetary and non-monetary rewards.
- Outsourced Compensation Services Retainer-based or fully outsourced compensation services providing ongoing expert compensation resources for organizations with limited internal HR capabilities.
- Compensation Sense 101 Book A book authored by Cassandra Faurote providing practical guidance on employee compensation and total rewards, covering topics including Compensation Administration, Base Pay, Pay Differentials, Incentive Plans, Sales Compensation, ROI of Compensation, and Communicating About Compensation. Validated by SHRM as a recertification resource.
- Compensation Sense 101 Audiobook An audiobook version of the Compensation Sense 101 book, narrated by Cassandra Faurote and Scott Ellis of Ellis Audiobooks. Available on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes platforms.
- Introduction to Compensation Course A four-hour professional training course delivered via Microsoft Teams over four weeks, covering foundational compensation concepts including regulatory issues, pay programs, equity, and compensation communication; priced at $399 early-bird and $499 regular per person with group discounts.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% of responding customers are likely to recommend Total Reward Solutions (NPS Score of 100)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Total Reward Solutions
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Total Reward Solutions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Total Reward Solutions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Total Reward Solutions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PayScale: PayScale is a compensation data and software platform that provides market benchmarking, salary survey analysis, and pay-range tools to HR teams. It directly overlaps with Total Reward Solutions' market benchmarking and base-pay analysis services, but competes via a SaaS model rather than boutique consulting.
- Pearl Meyer: Pearl Meyer is a boutique consulting firm specializing in executive compensation, sales compensation, and broad-based pay program design. It is a closest-scaled analog to TRS in the compensation advisory niche and competes for similar HR and executive buyers.
- Salary.com: Salary.com offers cloud-based compensation data, pay equity analytics, and HR-reported salary benchmarking tools. It is a direct competitor to TRS in market benchmarking, but competes via a SaaS/data platform rather than human-delivered consulting.
- Frederic W. Cook & Co. Frederic W. Cook & Co. is an executive compensation consulting firm advising boards and management on pay program design. It competes with TRS at the executive benchmarking and strategic compensation tier, particularly for publicly traded and PE-backed companies.
- Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry's Reward & Benefits Advisory practice delivers executive compensation benchmarking, incentive design, and total rewards strategy. It competes directly with TRS on executive benchmarking and incentive compensation engagements, particularly for larger enterprise clients.
- The Segal Group: Segal provides HR and compensation consulting including total rewards strategy, pay equity, and benefits advisory. It is comparable to TRS in mid-market compensation consulting and overlaps in total rewards assessments and benefits-related work.
- Culpepper and Associates: Culpepper provides compensation survey data, salary benchmarking, and rewards consulting across industries. It overlaps with TRS's market benchmarking and salary survey analysis services, with a heavier emphasis on subscription data products.
Broad incumbents
- Willis Towers Watson (WTW): WTW's Talent & Rewards practice offers compensation benchmarking, total rewards strategy, and workforce analytics. It is a broad incumbent that competes with TRS in compensation strategy and pay equity work, especially for mid-to-large employers.
- Mercer: Mercer (Marsh McLennan) operates a global career and total rewards consulting practice covering market benchmarking, executive compensation, and rewards strategy. It competes with TRS across most service lines but as part of a much broader HR consulting portfolio serving multinational clients.
- Aon (Radford): Aon's Radford division delivers compensation surveys, benchmarking, and rewards consulting across industries. It is a broad incumbent that overlaps directly with TRS's market benchmarking and base-pay analysis offerings, especially in technology and life sciences.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Total Reward Solutions social profiles
Digital presenceTotal Reward Solutions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Total Reward Solutions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Total Reward Solutions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Total Reward Solutions M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Total Reward Solutions
What does Total Reward Solutions do?
Total Reward Solutions is a compensation and total rewards consulting firm that designs competitive compensation programs for organizations through market benchmarking, base pay and merit structure development, executive and sales compensation design, FLSA compliance audits, and discrimination/equity analyses. The firm delivers these services via project-based engagements, retainer arrangements, or fully outsourced compensation provider models, and complements them with the proprietary "Compensation Sense" turnkey consulting system, the SHRM-validated "Compensation Sense 101" book and audiobook, and an "Introduction to Compensation" training course.
Is Total Reward Solutions a public or private company?
Total Reward Solutions is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Total Reward Solutions founded?
Total Reward Solutions was founded in 2005. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Total Reward Solutions based?
Total Reward Solutions is headquartered in Indianapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Total Reward Solutions make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Compensation Consulting Services are the primary driver. The others are training Course Revenue and book Sales.
Who are Total Reward Solutions's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PayScale, Pearl Meyer, Salary.com, Frederic W. Cook & Co., Korn Ferry, The Segal Group and Culpepper and Associates. Broad incumbents are Willis Towers Watson (WTW), Mercer and Aon (Radford).
Does Total Reward Solutions have an API?
No public API is recorded for Total Reward Solutions.
What industry is Total Reward Solutions in?
Total Reward Solutions's product category is Compensation Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAJAG, Compensation, Benefits & Total Rewards Advisory, with a secondary code of BPAHAGAF, Compensation, Benefits & Rewards Consulting. Its SIC code is 8742.