Progressive Employer Management Co. (PEMCO) of Sarasota, Florida recently attained Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO) standing, becoming one of the first companies in the U.S. to attain the newly established designation.

PEMCO’s CEO Clinton Burgess acknowledged that the certification process, although voluntary, is a rigorous one. The status was conceived by the IRS and created in alignment with 2014’s Tax Increase Prevention Act. To qualify, CPEOs must demonstrate a record of full tax compliance, fiscal accountability and overall structural integrity.

“The CPEO designation shows our commitment to abide by a higher standard in the industry and gives our clients the necessary assurance that we offer an exceptional PEO service,” Burgess said.

By choosing to work with a CPEO business, clients gain confidence in the company’s ability; reduced liability for unpaid taxes; increased tax credit potential, and other benefits.

With its customer-focused model, PEMCO has offered payroll administration service, workers' compensation and employee benefits, and human resource management since 1999, specializing in the professional, medical, hospitality, service and nonprofit and manufacturing industries as well as contractors.

In addition to its Sarasota headquarters, the company maintains offices in Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Ocala, Orlando, Pensacola, and Tampa, Florida; and Coppell, Texas.