Contractors, Engineers and Architects
Real world experience is the vital factor that distinguishes experts from mere practitioners in serving these specialized closely-related industry segments. From start-up advice for new ventures to succession planning for mature companies, we have a deep bench of advisors. We know that contractors, engineers and architects represent a unique commercial group, one that we’ve dedicated ourselves to understanding and supporting. Our practice with this client group is founded upon a deep level of appreciation: we develop close relationships with our clients’ principals and strive to put ourselves in their place so as to provide the best possible advice and service.
We take it as a given that we’ll help clients account for their projects and overhead so as to maximize cash flows and minimize tax. It’s the extra value that we seek.
Besides “typical” services, we provide comprehensive short and long term planning and coordination for our clients. Our knowledge and involvement in your specialty area distinguishes our work from all the others. Our team includes a growing number of CPAs who have achieved the CCIFP designation (Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional). We host annual conferences targeted at your industry segments and many of our associates speak at related national events.
Regardless of your company’s size or maturity, Brown Edwards’ focused knowledge of best practices in this industry group can help guide you through your financial and operational challenges. We invite you to read below and learn more about our practice offerings to contractors, engineers and architects.
INDUSTRIES
Accounting and Consulting Services for Your Business
- Sophisticated tax assistance with R&D credits, 179D deductions, DPAD and other uncommon issues
- Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) audits and related consulting
- Assistance with component depreciation for internally-constructed facilities
- Project costing, including guidance with equipment and indirect allocation systems
- Support with financing proposals and alternative capital needs
- Annual tax planning to maximize savings for the business and its owner group as a whole
- Bonding and prequalification capacity enhancement
- Litigation claims support, including Eichleay Formula assistance for delay claims
- Complex sales tax assistance and related agency audit support
- Contractor licensing, prequalification and DBE submittals
- Employee benefit planning and administration
- Payroll processing and related quarterly and year-end statutory reporting assistance
- Valuations for all purposes: M&A proposals, loss damages, buy-sells, insurance needs, ESOPs, etc.
- Succession and estate planning on a coordinated basis
- Wealth management
- Merger and acquisition consulting, including due diligence assistance
- Benchmarking and industry comparison analysis
- IT consulting, including industry-specific software selection and conversion assistance
- Cybersecurity evaluation and forensics
Specialized Consulting Programs
- Bidding and pricing strategies
- Incentive based compensation
- Performance and operational reviews
- Cash flow and budgeting for contractors
- Federal Acquisition Regulation compliance and overhead rate enhancement
Brown Edwards Leads the Way in CCIFP ProfessionalsOur Certified Construction Industry Financial Professionals (CCIFPs) can help you navigate the complex revenue recognition rules and job cost accounting methods of the construction industry.
Construction has complex revenue recognition rules and job cost accounting methods. Many firms have construction clients, but they have not dedicated the resources necessary to make construction a major practice area. The firms with CCIFP public accounting certification for the construction industry have demonstrated commitment to the industry and proficiency in all areas of construction financial management. With nine CCIFP certified professionals, Brown Edwards is among the top ten firms in the country regarding CCIFPs on staff.
The Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP®) designation is the only accounting certification for construction financial professionals accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) under ISO 17024:2012.
Public accounting professionals with the CCIFP certification must have a minimum 4,000 hours professional experience in construction in addition to showing expertise in eight knowledge domains, and only three of the knowledge domains are accounting-related:
- Accounting and reporting
- Income recognition methods
- Risk management
- Budgeting and planning
- Legal
- Human resources
- Taxes
- Information technology
So when you hire a public accountant as a partner for your business, insist on a firm with CCIFP public accounting certification for the construction industry.
Discover what a difference Brown Edwards can make for your companyContact One of Our CCIFP Professionals
Practice Leader
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Billy R. Robinson, CPA, CCIFPDirector
(423) 246-6104brobinson@becpas.com
217 E. New Street • Kingsport, TN 37660
Billy is a Director based in the Kingsport office of Brown Edwards and focuses his area of practice on construction and real estate related companies, family owned businesses, and governmental agencies.
Billy is one of eight CCIFP’s in the firm’s construction practice. Public accounting professionals with the CCIFP designation must have a minimum 4,000 hours professional experience in construction in addition to showing expertise in eight knowledge domains, and of which only two of the knowledge domains are accounting related. Brown Edwards is ranked in the Top 10 in the Country in terms of the number of CCIFP’s on staff and has more CCIFP’s than any other firm in the Mid-Atlantic region. Details here: http://www.iccifp.org/public-accounting
Billy has twice been named a “Super CPA” by Virginia Business magazine and has been named one of the “Top 10 Business People – Under 40” by the Shenandoah Valley Business Journal.
Billy graduated from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Minor in Criminal Justice.
He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Construction Financial Management Association, the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance, the Shenandoah Valley Builder’s Association, and the Associated General Contractors of Virginia.
Billy volunteers his time with the following organizations:
- Harrisonburg Rotary Club, where he is President-Elect for 2016-2017 serves on the Strawberry Festival Committee and the Board of Directors. He previously served on the Scholarship Committee.
- The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, where he serves on the Board of Directors, Audit Committee and IMPACT Harrisonburg Committee.
- Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, where he previously served as Treasurer, a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. He now serves as a member of the HDR Advisory Board.
- RMH Foundation, where he serves on the Board of Directors and the Planned Giving Committee
Team Members
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Matthew S. Burchett, CPA, MBA, CCIFP, CVAPartner -
Timothy A. George, CPA, CCIFP, MSTPartner -
C. Scott Clarke, CPA, CCIFP, CMA, CCAPartner -
Russell Hicks, CPA, CCIFPDirector -
Virginia M. McMahan, CPA, CVA, CCIFPDirector
(304) 343-4188mburchett@becpas.com
300 Chase Building, 707 Virginia Street East • Charleston, WV 25301
As an audit partner in the Charleston office of Brown Edwards, Matt supervises the preparation of for-profit client financial statements and provides consulting in the area of information systems and general business matters as well as business valuation services and fraud investigation as they relate to the construction industry. In addition to his accounting expertise, Matt has experience as a cost analyst and as an industrial engineer and has worked with civil engineering firms in design and drafting.
Matt holds a Regents Bachelor of Arts with a post-graduate certificate in accounting from West Virginia State College, earned his Master of Business Administration degree from West Virginia Graduate College (Marshall University), and is also a Certified Valuation Analyst and a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Accounting. Matt is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the American College of Forensic Examiners, the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts, the Center of Economic and Industry Research, the West Virginia Society of CPAs, and is an associate member of the Contractors Association of West Virginia.
(304) 343-4188tgeorge@becpas.com
300 Chase Building, 707 Virginia Street East • Charleston, WV 25301
Tim George is a partner in the Charleston office of Brown Edwards. He has extensive experience dealing with the financial and business issues of privately held companies and employee benefit plans. He has worked closely with various sizes of businesses particularly in the construction and engineering and design industries.
Tim is a CPA and a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP). He received his B.S. degree in Accounting at West Virginia Institute of Technology and later attended the University of Akron where he received his M.S. in taxation.
Tim began his career in public accounting in 1994 with Humpal, Jones & Co., a local accounting firm out of Medina, OH while attending the University of Akron. Upon graduation from the University of Akron in 1996, he accepted a position with Chambers, Paterno & Associates, A.C. and has continued his career in public accounting with the firm up through its merger with Brown, Edwards & Company, LLP.
Tim is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Tim is also an active member of the Contractors Association of WV (AGC) and the Associated Builders & Contractors – WV Chapter (ABC) and performs various speaking engagements at these association’s venues and others located in South Eastern U.S. He has also been a member of the Board of Directors for the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame and the Contractors Association of WV.
(540) 345-0936sclarke@becpas.com
319 McClanahan St SW • Roanoke, VA, 24014-7705
Scott is a partner in the Roanoke office of Brown Edwards. He has extensive experience in providing audit, review and compilation services to a wide variety of clientele as well as reviewing and preparing federal and state income tax returns for corporations, partnerships, individuals, not-for-profits and employee benefit plans. His clientele include contractors, retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, professionals, developers, water companies and not-for profit organizations.
Scott received his B.S. degree in Accounting from Virginia Tech in 1985. He is past president of the Roanoke Area Chapter of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants and a past vice-president of the Southwest Virginia Chapter, Institute of Management Accountants. Scott is active in charitable organizations throughout the Roanoke Valley. He recently served as treasurer for Rebuilding Together, Roanoke; EventZone and Roanoke Festival in the Park.
(434) 948-9000rhicks@becpas.com
2102 Langhorne Road, Ste 200 • Lynchburg, VA, 24501-1121
Russell Hicks is a director in the Lynchburg office of Brown Edwards. He has twenty-six years of experience in public accounting. Russell works in a variety of areas, particularly in the areas of corporate and individual tax, estate and gift subjects, not-for-profit organizations and construction tax and accounting.
Russell graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1982 with a Bachelors of Business Administration. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Russell has been active in many community activities in Lynchburg, Bedford, and Altavista. He is active in both community and personal projects relating to historical preservation and rehabilitation tax credits, and he frequently lectures on topics relating to Virginia historical antiques and artifacts. He was a founding member of the Historic Sandusky Foundation, Inc. He currently serves as the treasurer of Lynchburg’s Old City Cemetery and as a member of boards of directors of the Campbell County Public Library and the Campbell County Public Library Foundation, Inc.
(276) 466-5248vmcmahan@becpas.com
513 State St • Bristol, VA, 24201
Virginia is an audit and tax director based in the Bristol State Street office. She provides audit, assurance, and tax services to a variety of for profit and non-profit entities, along with tax services for individuals. Virginia focuses much of her time on construction client engagements and employee benefit plan audits. She also provides business valuation services for the purpose of acquisition, gift tax, and estate tax.
Virginia graduated from Emory & Henry College in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with an Accounting emphasis. She earned the professional designation of Certified Valuation Analyst in 2009 from the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts. She is a member of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts.
Craig Daniels, CPA, CCIFP
Charleston, WV
Josh Graves, CPA, CCIFP
Charleston, WV
David Sheaffer, CPA, CCIFP
Lynchburg, VA
What Clients SayAbout Our Accounting Services for Contractors, Engineers and Architects
"We began our relationship with Brown Edwards in January 2017 and it has proven to be an extremely beneficial partnership. Our Brown Edwards team, Billy Robinson and David Sheaffer, has been responsive and prompt. They have provided expert advice and insights on maneuvering through construction accounting complexities, acquisition scenarios, as well as guidance on a host of other difficult issues. Brown Edwards has truly helped our organization grow and I consider Billy and David not just our CPAs and advisors, but great friends."
Mike Closter - Chief Financial Officer, Capital Interior Contractors, Inc.
"Brown Edwards has proven to be responsive to our needs and have worked hard to learn our business. Not only have they submitted tax returns for federal and several states on time, they helped us become current on existing and new GAAP standards. If they make a mistake, they own it and make it right. We consider Brown Edwards to be a trusted advisor who helps Shickel Corporation meet our vision to be the most trusted name in the design, fabrication, and installation of custom metal products."
Mark A. Shickel - President, Shickel Corporation
"Brown Edwards’ sound knowledge of how a business functions as well as construction expertise has provided a service well above that of any other accounting firm. The value added, we have seen as a client, goes beyond just the numbers and promotes our long-term strategic success."
Arlene Lee - CEO/Principal, R.E. Lee Companies
"I would like to thank you and your team at Brown Edwards and Company for providing exceptional service to Jamison Electric since 1984. Your personal commitment to our trade continuously exceeds our expectations. You have become a trusted resource for our company. Thank you for the extraordinary service that you provided this year when our company was audited for the first time in forty years of business. Upon learning that we were a client of Brown Edwards, the auditor congratulated us in choosing such an upstanding accounting firm and recognized Brown Edwards as a firm that “always provided accurate information."
Marshall Jamison - Owner/Vice President, Jamison Electric Company, Inc.
"It is of great comfort to me how well versed Brown Edwards is in our industry. I rely on their expertise not only for the specific services in which we contract, but for their input into our future plans from a financial and risk management standpoint. They are timely and thorough, yet I do not feel overwhelmed with their processes. Their people are not only competent, but enjoyable to work with. No more dreading the extra work at audit or tax time!"
Tina McPhail - Finance Director, Pray Construction Company
"When we partnered with Brown, Edwards & Company, LLP in 2011, it quickly became evident that it was one of the best decisions we made as a family-owned business. They provide high quality work and answer questions or concerns in a clear, precise and timely manner. Brown Edwards provides support and advice with tax planning strategies that offer the potential for continued growth and profitability in our industry. It was with their expert guidance that we were able to make a business acquisition in 2013. They exemplify what an outstanding accounting firm can do.
We look forward to continuing our relationship as they are, without question, one of our best assets. We highly recommend Brown, Edwards as an accounting firm to be trusted to deliver above and beyond expectation."
Debbie S. VanDyke - President, Lakeside Ready Mix, Inc.
"Even though G&G Builders was not a client of Brown Edwards, their Charleston office construction and tax experts anticipated that our company could benefit from unclaimed 179D deductions. And they were so right. Brown Edwards got the ball rolling and helped us receive substantial refunds. We are grateful that they reached out to us. Matt Burchett and Ruth Still provided top-notch service and expertise! If you are approached by Brown Edwards about tax savings opportunities – or anything else – we advise you to listen to them.”"
Gary Young, President and Amber Stevens, Controller - G&G Builders, Inc.
"When the construction niche CPAs at Brown Edwards’ Charleston office suggested our company could benefit from amending prior returns for previously unclaimed Research & Development credits, we were skeptical. As it turned out, however, Brown Edwards was on target with the suggestion. They introduced us to the Alliantgroup people and helped facilitate the entire process, which resulted in major tax refunds we had not expected. As a significant aside, Brown Edwards prepared and filed all the required tax paperwork at no charge."
Nate Orders - President, Orders Construction Company, Inc.
"Brown Edwards has been assisting ZMM Architects and Engineers with sound business advice and tax leadership for many, many years. We are always impressed with the prompt, knowledgeable and personal attention we receive every time we reach out to them. Brown Edwards has provided ZMM with many valued services (annual reviewed financial statements, FAR audits, corporate and personal tax returns/advice, 179D deductions, and business advice) through the years and we have been very happy with their abilities and guidance. We value our relationship with Brown Edwards."
Elizabeth Billups - Controller, ZMM Architects and Engineers
"Since we switched our tax work to the folks at Brown Edwards in 2017, they have saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars by amending prior returns to take full advantage of deductions and credits our prior tax accountant overlooked. Brown Edwards is the #1 CPA firm for contractors as far as I’m concerned. On a personal note, to be successful as a controller, it’s critical to have a strong, independent CPA and to maintain a good relationship with that CPA. Matt Burchett and Ruth Still aren’t just the best at what they do, they are also good people..and fun to work with! The professional support of Brown Edwards allows me to operate and execute my job fearlessly! Brown Edwards’ folks are masters of their craft and our relationship with the firm is invaluable."
- Controller, Thermal Solutions, Inc.
"For over twenty years, I have trusted the CPA advice and service of the accountants at Brown Edwards. During the decade that I was the CEO of my companies, and grew from 60 employees to close to 300 employees, the challenge of doing business and filing state tax returns in over twenty states was simplified and streamlined by Brown Edwards. Matt Burchett has handled the preparation of our audited financial statements during this entire period, and has kept the senior managers of my companies up to speed on the latest rule changes that affect our business. I consider Matt and the CPAs at Brown Edwards to not only be essential advisors to my group of companies, but also to be faithful friends."
Fred D. Clark - Corporate Secretary and General Counsel, IVS Group, Inc.
"We’ve trusted the people at Brown Edwards for many years to help us through some tough times and business decisions. They’re always ready and able to help, and make us feel that no one else is more important than we are. And just recently, in a matter of hours, they helped us identify an error made by the Division of Highways that would have cost us several million dollars in prequalification capacity."
Kelley Thaxton - Vice President and Treasurer, Thaxton Construction Co., Inc.
"My bond with Brown Edwards personnel goes back to 1987 when I started my company. I always feel free to call the partners and ask for help when business problems come up. I know they’ll take my call immediately and help me figure out the right course of action, taking my best interest to heart. They’re the first people I turn to for help. It’s that kind of a relationship."
Sumith Hapuarachy - President, SMH Construction Company, Inc.
"We’ve built our business and gone through a successful ownership transition with critical help from Brown Edwards people; our relationship goes back 30 years. I know that my partner contacts at Brown Edwards will jump when we call and get things done for us. And they’re fun to talk to."
Ted Brady - President, Progressive Electric, Inc.
"The folks at Brown Edwards have been with us through thick and thin and back. They’ve been solid advisors since we started up in 1997; always approachable and responsive. We consider them to be trusted business colleagues and good friends."
