IC Compliance & Agent of Record (AOR)
You found the right professional. The engagement model matters.
Organizations often identify independent professionals with the specialized expertise they need. But before the work begins, there's an important question to answer: Does the engagement support an independent contractor relationship?
Equiliem provides IC Compliance and Agent of Record services that help organizations assess independent contractor classifications and, when appropriate, support the engagement through administration and payment.
When the circumstances don't support an independent contractor engagement, the conversation doesn't have to stop. Equiliem can help identify another path within our workforce solutions.
Start With the Engagement
Independent contractor classification requires more than choosing a 1099 arrangement.
Whether someone can appropriately work as an independent contractor depends on the circumstances of the engagement, not simply the preference of the organization or professional.
Equiliem helps organizations evaluate proposed IC engagements through a structured classification process and supports qualified independent contractors throughout the engagement.
Classification Assessment
Review the circumstances of the proposed engagement to help determine whether an independent contractor relationship is supported.
Engagement Administration
Support the documentation and administrative requirements associated with approved IC engagements.
Payment Support
Administer payments to approved independent contractors throughout the engagement.
Ongoing Support
Provide administrative support throughout the engagement as needs or circumstances arise.
A More Structured Approach to Independent Contractor Engagement
Assess first. Engage second.
Independent contractor compliance starts before the professional begins the work.
Equiliem's process puts classification assessment at the front of the engagement, helping organizations evaluate the proposed working relationship before determining the appropriate engagement path.
For engagements that support independent contractor status, Equiliem can serve as Agent of Record and provide the administration and payment support behind the engagement.
When the circumstances point toward employment instead, Equiliem can help explore a W-2 engagement through our Employer of Record / Payrolling solution.
Our Approach
Start with the work and how it will be performed.
Understand
We gather information about the professional, the work being performed and the structure of the proposed engagement.
Assess
We evaluate the circumstances of the engagement through Equiliem's classification process.
Determine
The assessment helps identify whether the engagement supports an independent contractor relationship or whether another engagement model should be considered.
Engage
When an IC relationship is supported, Equiliem provides the administration needed to establish and support the engagement.
Pay & Support
We administer payments and provide ongoing support throughout the approved engagement.
Independent Contractor or W-2 Employee?
The right path depends on the engagement.
The goal isn't to force a worker into a particular classification. It's to understand the circumstances and determine which available engagement model aligns with them.
When the Engagement Supports Independent Contractor Status
Equiliem can provide classification, engagement administration and payment support through our IC Compliance / Agent of Record solution.
When the Engagement Calls for W-2 Employment
Equiliem can employ and support the worker through our Employer of Record / Payrolling solution, including onboarding, payroll, benefits administration and ongoing employment support.
When IC Compliance Support Makes Sense
Bring structure to the engagements you're already making.
IC Compliance / AOR can support organizations that engage independent professionals across a range of situations.
Client-Identified Professionals
You've identified a professional or consultant and need to determine the appropriate way to engage them.
Specialized Independent Expertise
The business needs access to specialized expertise for a defined engagement and is considering an independent contractor model.
Existing IC Engagements
You want greater consistency and structure around how independent contractor engagements are assessed and administered.
Broader Contingent Workforce Programs
Independent contractors are one part of a larger contingent workforce strategy that requires clearer processes and engagement support.
Not sure which solution fits?
Start with the engagement, not the classification.
You don't need to decide whether someone should be a W-2 employee or independent contractor before talking to us. Start with the professional, the work and how the relationship is expected to operate.
- “We believe this may be an independent contractor engagement.”Start with IC Compliance & Agent of Record.
- “We need to employ someone we've already identified.”Start with Employer of Record & Payrolling.
- “We need help finding the talent, too.”Start with Find Talent.
Let’s Talk Through Your Workforce Challenge
Specialized around the industries we serve.
- Advanced Manufacturing
Aerospace Automotive & EV Biotech Chemical Electronics Medical Device Robotics Semiconductor
- Digital Infrastructure
Low Voltage & Network Infrastructure Audio Visual Carrier Services Data Centers Electronic Security Fire & Life Safety Systems
- Energy
Nuclear Oil & Gas Power Generation Renewable Energy Utilities
- Engineering
Architectural CAD, Design, & Drafting Civil Engineering Construction Engineering Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering MEP Project & Program Management Structural Engineering
- Government
Defense Education Federal Government Public Sector State & Local Government
- Healthcare
Behavioral Health Hospital Laboratory Nurse Practitioner Nursing Pharmacy Physician Assistant Radiology & Imaging Therapy
- Industrial Operations
Construction Electrical Field Services HVAC & Plumbing Skilled Trades Welding & Fabrication
- Logistics & Supply Chain
3PL & Distribution Support Distribution Fulfillment Operations Logistics Procurement & Purchasing Supply Chain Transportation Warehousing
- Professional & Corporate Services
Accounting Administrative Support Customer Support & Call Center Finance HR & Talent Operations
Why Equiliem
Workforce solutions built around the need, not a predefined answer.
Specialized Where It Matters
Industry expertise helps us understand more than the job description.
A Broader Talent Network
More than 5 million candidates in our talent network help extend the reach of our specialized recruiting teams.
Personal Service at Scale
The capabilities to support sophisticated workforce needs without making the relationship complicated.
Built to Own What Comes Next
Our culture emphasizes ownership, anticipation, communication and bringing the next step.
Three Generations. Still Evolving.
70+ years of family workforce experience give us perspective while we continue evolving around the needs of today's workforce.
- 30+Years supporting North America's critical infrastructure70+ years of family experience in workforce solutions
- 200+Clients supported
- 10K+Talent supported annually
- 5M+Candidates in our talent network
- 5×Best of Staffing recognition
- NationwideWorkforce capabilities
Frequently asked questions about IC compliance and AOR
An Agent of Record supports independent contractor engagements on an organization's behalf, providing the engagement administration and payment support behind each approved contractor.
Classification depends on the circumstances of the engagement, not simply the preference of the organization or the professional. Equiliem reviews the proposed engagement through a structured classification process before the work begins.
The conversation doesn't have to stop. Equiliem can help explore a W-2 engagement through our Employer of Record and payrolling solution.
Yes. Equiliem can bring greater consistency and structure to how your existing independent contractor engagements are assessed and administered.
Yes. For approved engagements, Equiliem administers payments to independent contractors throughout the engagement.
Start with the engagement. We'll help identify the right path.
Tell us about the professional, the work and how the engagement is expected to operate. We'll help determine how Equiliem can support the relationship through our IC Compliance / AOR, EOR or other workforce solutions.
