Not necessarily, but you should evaluate whether your clients are comfortable having their retirement data with a payroll provider, especially if they use a different payroll company. This creates potential conflicts of interest and data sharing concerns.

Advise them to:

• Monitor any changes in service quality or pricing
• Understand how their data will be used by Gusto
• Evaluate whether consolidating payroll with Gusto makes sense
• Consider alternatives if they prefer to keep payroll and retirement separate

 Evaluate based on your clients' specific needs. While Gusto now offers integration, consider factors like pricing, service quality, flexibility, and whether your clients want to be dependent on one large provider. 

• Vendor lock-in: Harder to negotiate or switch providers
• Service concentration risk: One provider failure affects multiple critical functions
• Data control: One company controls all employee financial data
• Pricing leverage: Less ability to play providers against each other for better rates

• Simplified administration: One point of contact, integrated reporting
• Better employee experience: Single login, coordinated communications
• Potential cost savings: Bundled pricing may be lower than separate providers
• Compliance coordination: Payroll and retirement compliance managed together

Look for solutions that provide integration benefits without full vendor lock-in. Some newer providers offer integrated services while maintaining independence from large payroll companies. Icon PRP through Payroll Vault is one example.

• How will this acquisition affect my service and pricing?
• Who will have access to my employee data?
• What are my options if I want to separate payroll and retirement in the future?
• Are there any changes to my contracts or terms of service?
•  

• Compare total cost of ownership, not just headline prices
• Evaluate service quality and account management approach
• Consider integration capabilities and employee experience
• Assess long-term flexibility and exit strategies

Most clients can make changes at their next renewal period. However, if there are significant service or pricing changes due to the acquisition, some providers may allow mid-contract modifications. Plan evaluation conversations 90-120 days before renewal dates.

• It provides similar integration benefits (single point of contact, coordinated compliance, integrated reporting) while maintaining independence from large payroll providers. This gives clients bundled convenience without vendor lock-in risks.

• Companies currently with Guideline who are concerned about the Gusto ownership
• Businesses paying premium prices for ADP/Paychex bundles
• Growing companies who want integrated solutions but value flexibility
• Organizations that prefer working with responsive, relationship-focused providers

Contact at or george.heidelmaier@payrollvault.com. We'll handle initial consultations and provide detailed proposals. You maintain the primary advisory relationship while we handle implementation and ongoing service coordination.

You gain a differentiated solution to recommend that addresses current market disruption. This strengthens your advisory value and provides ongoing opportunities as clients' needs evolve. Plus, you avoid the risk of referring clients to large providers who may try to replace your advisory relationship.