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03 May 19 Top-Tier HR Consulting Firms To Consider For Your Org

Posted at 09:30h in HR Insights by Alex Lewis

Human resources (HR) plays a pivotal role in shaping organizational success. Whether your organization is a large for-profit business with a robust internal HR function or a small nonprofit seeking to establish one someday, HR consulting firms can provide strategic guidance and implementation support.

HR consultants, by collaborating closely with key stakeholders, gain a deep understanding of organizational objectives and culture. Leveraging this knowledge, they can develop comprehensive programs and practices that help meet their clients’ needs.

If you’re interested in working with an HR consulting firm, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about HR consulting and introduce you to the best consulting firm options out there. We’ll cover:

Before You Begin: What Do You Need From an HR Consulting Firm?
Our List of Top HR Consulting Firms
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Hire the Right HR Consultant For Your Organization

Before You Begin: What Do You Need From an HR Consulting Firm?

Before researching consultants, your organization should have an idea of what you need and why. From there, you can seek providers with the right expertise and cultural fit for your organization. To help you get started identifying your needs, we’ve compiled some typical services HR consulting firms might offer:

Ensuring that your organization is compliant with all relevant laws and regulations
Assessing HR policies and practices to identify improvements
Identifying strengths and gaps in your internal HR team
Developing best practices to help you attract, recruit, onboard, and retain top talent
Conducting a survey to gauge employee engagement
Evaluating your HR technology or implementing new systems
Evaluating compensation and developing pay grades

Note that not all HR consultants will offer the same services. Each firm will have different expertise, specialties, and approaches, so it will be essential to research all of your options.

Our List of Top HR Consulting Firms

Once you have a clear vision of what you need from working with an HR consultant, it’s time to start your search. To help, we’ve created this list of top HR consulting firms broken down by specialty:

Full-Service HR Support
- RealHR Solutions
Compensation
- Astron Solutions
- Wilson Group
Benefits
- Alera Group
- Alliant Employee Benefits
- Vanguard Benefits
Organization & Culture
- Inspire Human Resources
- Crothers Consulting
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
- Weekes in Advance Enterprises
- Jennifer Brown Consulting
Staffing & Executive Search
- Interim Executive Solutions
- Lisa Tromba Advisors
- Beacon Hill Staffing
Payroll
- Premier Payroll Solutions
- Gusto
- Justworks
HR Software
- Bamboo HR
- Flare
- Paycor

Best Full-Service HR Consulting Firm: RealHR Solutions

Overview of this HR Consulting Firm

RealHR Solutions is an HR consulting firm founded in 2005 by three employment attorneys who recognized the critical need among small, midsize, and large organizations for HR expertise. Over the years, as it has helped organizations develop tailor-made solutions and reach HR goals, RealHR Solutions has evolved into a leading provider of comprehensive HR services for nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

RealHR’s primary goal is to assist organizations in navigating the complex landscape of human resources, enabling them to effectively manage, nurture, and develop their most valuable asset: their people. With nearly 20 years of experience, RealHR has honed its expertise to address HR challenges encountered throughout the employee lifecycle.

At RealHR, we understand that every organization is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to HR. That’s why we take a personalized approach to every client engagement, offering customized, high-quality, and efficient solutions tailored to meet the specific goals and objectives of each organization we work with.

RealHR Solutions’ Services

When you choose to partner with RealHR, you gain access to a team of experts with diverse backgrounds and deep functional knowledge across all areas of HR. RealHR offers a uniquely wide range of HR services, including, but not limited to:

HR ongoing or advisory support
HR Assessments
HR Audits
Recruitment strategy and executive search assistance
Coaching and training for staff
Employee survey development
Organizational strategy development
Workplace investigations

Whether you require project-based support for a specific HR initiative or ongoing advisory services, we have the expertise and resources to meet your needs. Ultimately, partnering with RealHR empowers organizations to achieve HR excellence. We stand ready to help you overcome HR challenges and unlock your organization’s full potential for growth and innovation.

Top HR Firms for Compensation

Compensation practices significantly affect an organization’s bottom line and require partnering with HR specialists. How you compensate employees, both directly and indirectly, also says a lot about your organization’s values and culture. These HR firms stand out for their compensation expertise:

Astron Solutions

Astron Solutions is a leading HR consulting firm specializing in compensation strategy for small to mid-size businesses and nonprofit organizations. They can help you:

Evaluate and improve your total rewards compensation practices
Create incentive programs to motivate employees
Develop sales commission programs
Understand employee wants, needs, and ideas through custom surveys

Their emphasis on total rewards compensation allows Astron Solutions to approach each client with a flexible, fully customized strategy. In addition to organization-wide and executive-level compensation consulting, they can develop and execute custom compensation surveys to give your organization a complete view of where you stand with employees and your sector.

With 20 years of experience, Astron Solutions is an ideal partner for organizations that need one-on-one compensation support.

Wilson Group

Wilson Group specializes in aligning your total rewards compensation framework with your larger organizational strategy and can assist with general employee compensation, executive compensation, and sales incentive compensation. Their specific services include:

Variable cash compensation design
Equity-based compensation design
Incentive plan effectiveness analysis
Long-term incentive plan design for executives

This firm prides itself on truly listening to its clients and building a unique relationship with each of them.

Best HR Consulting Firms for Benefits

From retirement solutions and ancillary benefits to healthcare and wellness initiatives, these HR consulting firms prioritize enhancing employee programs that support the core HR goals of attracting and retaining top talent.

Alera Group

Alera Group (formerly JDM Benefits) specializes in crafting solutions to meet an organization’s diverse benefit requirements. Their experts have experience across various industry sectors, giving them a comprehensive understanding of the challenges their clients may face.

By leveraging its extensive network of vendors and programs, Alera Group can help you navigate the complexities of insurance and benefits management, whether you want to set up self-insured health plans, design better executive benefits, or enhance the employee benefits experience through a private exchange.

Alliant Employee Benefits

Alliant Employee Benefits stands out for its sector-specific expertise in retail, healthcare, and international manufacturing and services. Retaining employees with competitive benefits and compensation packages is critical in these complex markets.

Alliant can assist your organization with:

Benefits strategy design
Pharmacy benefits analysis and selection
Absence, disability, and life program development

Alliant backs up its recommendations with comprehensive industry benchmarking, which can ensure your organization offers packages in line with or beyond what top talent is receiving elsewhere.

Vanguard Benefits

Vanguard Benefits is another HR consulting firm specializing in benefits support.

For decades Vanguard has been taking an honest and innovative approach to providing winning employee benefits strategies that aid employers with cost efficiency and recruiting.

With a focus on education for both employers and employees, their solutions reduce health insurance and benefits costs while creating strategies that create stability and increase ROI and employee satisfaction. Their solutions are designed specifically for each client through an extensive review of their business goals and a dedication to developing long-lasting relationships.

Recommended HR Consulting Firms for Organization & Culture

Organizational development and internal culture play important roles in your business or nonprofit’s ability to attract, engage, and retain talent. Here are a couple of top HR consulting firms with proven track records in the realm of organization and culture.

Inspire Human Resources

Inspire Human Resources is an HR consulting firm that understands and advocates for the importance of culture and belonging in the workplace.

Their team can:

Assess your organization’s culture
Analyze the full employee experience
Offer training and coaching to improve your engagement strategies
Provide interim HR staffing

Inspire’s clients have seen some impressive results, like 24% increases in employee retention and 9% profit growth, thanks to this firm’s expert guidance on how to build and maintain a productive, engaging culture for all employees.

Crothers Consulting

Crothers Consulting is a human resources consulting agency that helps organizations navigate the cultural challenges that come with periods of change.

Specifically, Crothers Consulting specializes in working with small to mid-size businesses experiencing high-growth periods or undergoing mergers or acquisitions. During periods like these, maintaining and actively guiding your culture can easily fall by the wayside, which can have serious repercussions down the line.

With their experience and emphasis on leadership team building, Crothers Consulting can help your organization navigate change with confidence.

First-Rate Consulting Firms for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment is crucial for an organization’s success and ethical responsibility. A DEI consultant brings specialized expertise, ensuring that an organization’s commitment is not just a statement but a tangible reality. Here are a few top picks.

Weekes in Advance Enterprises

Weekes in Advance Enterprises, led by social change expert Melinda Weekes-Laidlow, is an organizational development consulting firm.

Weekes in Advance specializes in helping organizations in the arts, entertainment, nonprofit, and social innovation sectors achieve their visions of success. Their team offers a broad range of HR and DEI-related services, including:

Anti-racism training
Meeting design and facilitation
Process and experience design
Change consulting

Weekes in Advance is a trusted partner of big-name social change, arts, educational, and religious organizations. Their track record of success and flexible service offerings make them a top choice for DEI support.

Jennifer Brown Consulting

Jennifer Brown Consulting is an HR consultancy specializing in helping organizations build (and make the business case for) more inclusive cultures.

This firm offers a full range of consulting services focused on resource groups, organizational change management, executive diversity storytelling, and more. Along with their 6-week online DEI Foundations course, Jennifer Brown Consulting can provide your organization with everything it needs to make and sustain meaningful change for employees.

The Jennifer Brown team has worked with a broad range of organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofits, giving them a wealth of experience to use in any type of client engagement.

Leading HR Consulting Firms for Staffing & Executive Search

A well-defined recruiting process is imperative and often can be enhanced by the expertise and assistance of a staffing or executive search firm that understands your hiring goals and can tap into the appropriate candidate pool in a timely and efficient manner. Check out these top providers.

Lisa Tromba Advisors

Lisa Tromba Advisors is an HR consulting firm that offers an exceptionally broad range of executive search and leadership development services.

Specifically, their team offers:

Executive search
Leadership development solutions
Broader consulting and advisory services

Plus, Lisa Tromba’s guiding philosophy stands out. Their Integrated Engagement approach prioritizes true collaboration and integration with your organization to understand its culture and priorities on a deeper level.

By avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach, Lisa Tromba offers its clients leadership precision—the right candidate for that particular role, organization, and culture.

Beacon Hill Staffing

Beacon Hill Staffing is one of the largest, most established HR-related consulting firms and staffing agencies in the world.

This means that when you partner with Beacon Hill, your organization will tap into an extensive network of staffing and leadership resources, job seekers, and other partners. Beacon Hill’s complete ecosystem includes specialty divisions that can handle staffing and leadership needs in practically any sector.

Plus, this firm offers broader workforce consulting and custom executive search services for a more hands-on approach. Whatever your needs, Beacon Hill Staffing can likely handle them.

Interim Executive Solutions

Interim Executive Solutions understands leadership transitions are pivotal moments for nonprofit organizations that offer a unique opportunity to reflect on what qualities are needed in a leader to take the organization forward into the future.

This is why Interim Executive Solutions partners with nonprofits during periods of transition, helping them lay the groundwork for a successful transition, providing interim leaders to keep your operations running smoothly, and supporting you when your new leader takes the helm. When you work with this firm you can ensure the continuity of your organization’s mission and vision.

Best Payroll Service Providers

Payroll companies complement HR consultants’ efforts by streamlining and optimizing the complex tasks of payroll processing and administration. Here are a few top options to consider.

Premier Payroll Staffing

Premier Payroll Solutions is a partner-run organization that strives to deliver superior service to its clients, mainly in the restaurant industry.

They’re always working toward becoming an extension of their clients’ businesses to ensure that the payroll process goes smoothly week in and week out. With a team that has a collective industry experience that exceeds 90 years, they bring comfort to their clients.

Their philosophy is to always take care of their work family and help those in communities that we serve the best they can.

Gusto

Gusto is a cloud-based payroll provider, ideal for small and mid-sized businesses.

The platform offers a wide range of features, including:

Automated payroll processing
Tax calculations
Direct deposit
Employee onboarding tools
Time tracking
Benefits administration

With Gusto, organizations can reduce the likelihood of payroll errors but also ensure compliance with various tax and labor regulations.

Justworks

Justworks is a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) that helps organizations manage payroll-related taxes, oversee certain human resources functions, provide access to benefits, and organize other employer-related functions necessary to run a business.

Their mission is to help entrepreneurs and business owners grow with confidence.

Top HR Software Providers

In a rapidly digitizing world, dedicated HR software has become a necessary supplement to an in-house or external HR team, streamlining logistics, simplifying employee record management, and providing valuable historical data. Check out these top providers.

BambooHR

BambooHR is one of the most comprehensive and popular HR software providers today. Its platform contains everything your organization needs, including:

Core data and analytics features
Hiring and onboarding tools
Time tracking capabilities
Compensation and PTO management
Performance management time tracking

BambooHR stands out for its comprehensive, out-of-the-box functionality, making it an ideal choice for small shops that need professional-grade human resources tools quickly.

Flare

Flare is a web-based talent management platform designed and produced by one of the top HR consulting firms listed above, Astron Solutions. This platform takes a modular and highly customized approach. Rather than potentially overwhelming your organization with too many or redundant features, Flare instead allows users to pick and choose the modules and features that they need.

The top modules include performance reviews, sales-based compensation tracking, total rewards statements, exit interviews, and more.

Paycor

Paycor is another leading provider of HR software for organizations of all sizes. This platform offers a full range of robust features for:

Payroll
Talent management
Workforce management
Benefits administration
And more!

What differentiates Paycor from other platforms is its track record of success in serving specific industries with unique needs. Organizations in healthcare, nonprofit, education, manufacturing, and retail have all found success with Paycor’s features and support.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we’ll answer some of the most common questions surrounding HR consulting firms, shedding light on their role, benefits, costs, and how to make the most of your partnership. Whether you’re a small business looking to optimize your HR operations or a large corporation seeking innovative solutions, we provide the answers you need to make informed decisions and embark on a successful HR transformation journey.

What is an HR consulting firm?

An HR consulting firm is a specialized organization that provides professional Human Resources (HR) advisory and support services. These firms often have a team of HR experts and consultants who offer strategic guidance and practical solutions to address various HR challenges and optimize HR practices.

HR consulting firms cater to various HR needs, such as:

Talent acquisition
Employee training and development
Performance management
Compensation and benefits
Organizational design
Workforce planning
Compliance with labor laws and regulations

They collaborate with clients to understand their unique needs and design tailored solutions to enhance HR efficiency and effectiveness.

What is the difference between in-house HR and an HR consulting firm?

The key difference between in-house HR and an HR consulting firm lies in their structure and scope of services.

In-house HR is the internal department of an organization responsible for all HR functions and tasks and exclusively serves that organization. This team handles:
- Day-to-day operations
- Employee relations
- Talent management specific to that company
HR consulting firms, sometimes known as fractional or outsourced HR support, operate externally and independently from the organizations they serve. An HR consulting firm:
- Supports multiple clients across different industries
- Brings a broader perspective, industry insights, and best practices from working with diverse clients
- Provides expertise or support in areas where in-house HR may require additional assistance, such as organizational restructuring, HR audits, and talent acquisition strategies

While your organization will eventually want to have its own in-house HR department, working with a consultant in the meantime is a great option. You can also still bring on a consultant to help support your internal HR team when it’s faced with complex challenges or periods of transition.

How much does it cost to work with an HR consulting firm?

Cost can vary significantly depending on the scope of work, project duration, customization, etc. Before beginning any engagement, communicate any budgetary constraints and clarify any expected outcomes with an HR consulting firm.

HR consulting can be a game-changing investment for organizations of any size. Whether your business or nonprofit is looking for full-service support from an expert or guidance in a more specific area of expertise, there is a wealth of options to choose from.

Start by defining your needs, goals, and vision for success. From there, begin researching top candidates like the ones on this list. Take your time, get to know your candidates, and weigh your options—you’ll be working with the perfect partner in no time.

How do I know if my organization is ready to work with an HR consulting firm?

Determining if your organization is ready to work with an HR consulting firm involves considering several factors. Here are some indicators that your organization could benefit from partnering with a consulting firm:

You’re experiencing an influx of employee turnover or increased recruitment needs that are putting strain on your in-house HR team.
You want a fresh perspective and creative ideas to revitalize your organization’s HR strategies.
You want to align your HR practices to your business objectives.
You want to determine if your in-house HR department is operating efficiently and has compliant practices.
You want to understand how your organization as a whole is interacting with the HR department and if they feel supported by current policies and practices.
You’re dealing with complex HR challenges or sensitive employee relations matters.

How can I get the most out of my partnership with an HR consultant?

To make the most of your partnership with an HR consultant, consider the following:

Clearly define objectives—communicate your challenges, goals, and desired outcomes.
Involve key stakeholders to ensure alignment between HR initiatives and broader organizational strategy.
Act on recommendations; a successful partnership depends on the organization’s commitment to translating insights into actions.
Be open to change and adaptable to new approaches.
Foster open communication to facilitate a collaborative and productive working relationship.

How to Hire The Right HR Consultant For Your Organization

Hiring an HR consultant can be a strategic move to enhance your organization’s human resources functions and ensure compliance with industry regulations. Here are a few steps to guide you through the process:

1. Identify your needs and goals:

Before you search for an HR consultant, determine your specific needs and goals. Are you looking for assistance with employee relations, talent acquisition, compliance, or HR strategy? Clarifying your objectives will help you find a consultant with the right expertise.

2. Determine your budget and establish your timeline:

Determining your budget and timeline before seeking out an HR consultant is essential for a smooth and successful consulting engagement. It lays the foundation of transparency and allows you to find a consultant who can meet your objectives and deliver value to your organization.

3. Research and referrals:

Start researching reputable HR consultants using online platforms, industry associations, or networking events to identify potential consultants. Also, seek referrals from colleagues or other business owners who have worked with HR consultants in the past.

4. Initial consultation:

Arrange an initial consultation with the shortlisted candidates. Use this opportunity to discuss your organization’s needs, challenges, and goals. Be mindful of how well the consultant understands your requirements and offers potential solutions.

5. Proposal and scope of work:

After the initial consultation, request a detailed proposal outlining the scope of work, project timeline, deliverables, and pricing structure. Ensure the proposal meets your expectations and clearly defines the consultant’s responsibilities.

6. Assess fit and compatibility:

Evaluate how well the consultant’s approach and working style align with your organization’s culture. Effective communication and a positive working relationship are crucial for a successful partnership.

7. Contract execution

Once you’ve selected a proposal and a consultant, move forward with contract execution. Finalize data-sharing logistics, project milestones, confidentiality agreements, and other relevant terms.

8. Begin your partnership:

Schedule an initial kick-off meeting to begin the engagement officially. During this meeting set expectations for reporting and updates.

9. Ongoing collaboration and communication:

Throughout the engagement, maintain open lines of communication with your HR consultant. Regular check-ins and updates will ensure that the project is progressing as planned and allow for adjustments as needed.

10. Long-term relationship:

If the engagement is successful, consider building a long-term relationship with the HR consultant. They can continue to provide valuable insights and support as your organization’s HR needs evolve.

By following these steps, you can identify, hire, and collaborate effectively with an HR consultant who aligns with your organization’s objectives and contributes to its overall success.

What to Look For in a Consultant

During the hiring process, as you assess potential candidates’ fit and compatibility with your organization, you should also be keeping an eye out for some key characteristics that will let you know you’ve found a true partner for your organization. These will typically include:

Expertise in human resources best practices, labor laws, and industry trends
Strong communication skills, including the ability to actively listen to you and your team when learning about your organization and its HR challenges
Willingness to collaborate with your team (because at the end of the day, you will know what is best for your specific organization)
Ability to take feedback in stride, even if that means re-working their proposal or developed solutions until they align with your organization’s expectations and truly meet your needs
Strong project management skills, including the ability to prioritize important tasks and meet deadlines
Ethical conduct, meaning that your consultant is prepared to uphold high standards of integrity, honesty, and professionalism in all their work with you

To gauge these characteristics in each candidate you speak with, try asking them how they would handle different hypothetical situations. For instance, you might ask a candidate how they would approach feedback from your nonprofit’s board on their proposal for working with you, or how they would collaborate with your in-house HR representative. Questions like these will help you get a feel for how each candidate would fit into your workplace.

Hiring an HR consultant can be a game-changing investment for organizations of any size. The intricate landscape of modern business demands adept management of human resources to stay competitive and compliant. An HR consulting firm can bring a fresh perspective, specialized expertise, and industry knowledge to the table.

By partnering with an HR consultant, your organization gains access to strategic insights, best practices, and tailored solutions that align with your organization’s unique goals and challenges. Use our list of top providers above to begin researching your options and kickstart the hiring process today!

To learn more, explore these additional resources:

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