<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2017-02-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000937098</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TRINET GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TNET</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001694481</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>AGI-T, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ATAIROS MANAGEMENT, L.P.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>40 MORRIS AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BRYN MAWR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19010</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001671176</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Atairos Partners GP, Inc.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ATAIROS MANAGEMENT, L.P.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>40 MORRIS ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BRYN MAWR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19010</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001671185</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Atairos Partners, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ATAIROS MANAGEMENT, L.P.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>40 MORRIS ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BRYN MAWR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19010</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001671122</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Atairos Group, Inc.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ATAIROS MANAGEMENT, L.P.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>40 MORRIS ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BRYN MAWR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19010</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001694477</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>A-T Holdings GP, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ATAIROS MANAGEMENT, L.P.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>40 MORRIS AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BRYN MAWR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19010</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001697046</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>A-A SMA, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ATAIROS MANAGEMENT, L.P.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>40 MORRIS AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BRYN MAWR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19010</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001697053</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>A-A SMA GP, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ATAIROS MANAGEMENT, L.P.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>40 MORRIS AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BRYN MAWR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19010</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001393014</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Angelakis Michael J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ATAIROS MANAGEMENT, L.P.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>40 MORRIS ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BRYN MAWR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19010</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>17691312</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1813022</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">AGI-T, L.P. directly beneficially owns 17,691,312 shares of the common stock, par value $0.000025 per share (the &quot;Common Stock&quot;), of TriNet Group, Inc. (the &quot;Issuer&quot;).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">A-A SMA, L.P. directly beneficially owns 1,813,022 shares of Common Stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">This Form 3 is being filed by more than one Reporting Person. The Reporting Persons are the beneficial owners of an aggregate of 19,504,334 shares of Common Stock. A-T Holdings GP, LLC is the general partner of AGI-T, L.P. Atairos Group, Inc. is the sole member and manager of A-T Holdings GP, LLC and the sole limited partner of AGI-T, L.P. A-A SMA GP, LLC is the general partner of A-A SMA, L.P. Atairos Group, Inc. is the sole member and manager of A-A SMA GP, LLC and the sole limited partner of A-A SMA, L.P. Atairos Partners, L.P. is the sole voting shareholder of Atairos Group, Inc. Atairos Partners GP, Inc. is the general partner of Atairos Partners, L.P. Michael J. Angelakis directly or indirectly controls a majority of the voting power of Atairos Partners GP, Inc. and serves on the board of directors of the Issuer.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Each of A-T Holdings GP, LLC, Atairos Group, Inc., Atairos Partners, L.P., Atairos Partners GP, Inc., A-A SMA GP, LLC and Mr. Angelakis may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the reported securities directly owned by AGI-T, L.P. and/or A-A SMA, L.P., as applicable. Each Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of its or his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: ATAIROS PARTNERS GP, INC., by /s/ David L. Caplan, Vice President</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-02-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: ATAIROS PARTNERS, L.P., by ATAIROS PARTNERS GP, INC., its general partner, by /s/ David L. Caplan, Vice President</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-02-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: ATAIROS GROUP, INC., by /s/ David L. Caplan, Vice President and General Counsel</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-02-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: A-T HOLDINGS GP, LLC, by ATAIROS GROUP, INC., its sole member and manager, by /s/ David L. Caplan, Authorized Signatory</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-02-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: AGI-T, L.P., by A-T HOLDINGS GP, LLC, its general partner, by ATAIROS GROUP, INC., its sole member and manager, by /s/ David L. Caplan, Authorized Signatory</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-02-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: A-A SMA, L.P., by A-A SMA GP, LLC, its general partner, by ATAIROS GROUP, INC., its sole member and manager, by /s/ David L. Caplan, Authorized Signatory</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-02-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: A-A SMA GP, LLC, by ATAIROS GROUP, INC., its sole member and manager, by /s/ David L. Caplan, Authorized Signatory</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-02-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Michael J. Angelakis</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-02-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
