Author Archives:
Craig Pate

Now more than ever construction is an inherently risky industry. Whereas employees primarily face safety and health risks on the job, contractors and owners must also deal with cost and payment issues, project delays, compliance, and other risks. To make matter worse, the post-pandemic supply chain delays have made necessary materials more difficult to obtain and at a higher price. These liabilities, especially when taken together, can cause a construction project to lose money and increase exposure to legal and regulatory risks.

Atlanta businesses required to undergo an annual financial statement audit will notice several new changes to the auditor’s report. Outlined in the Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) 134 – Auditor Reporting, the modifications are designed to increase the value of the report to management. The changes have been years in the making – going back to 2011 when the Accounting Standards Board began the path to more consistent auditing standards for all entities. In 2015, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) made changes to auditor report requirements, which paved the way for SAS 134. Much like other standards updates, the changes outlined in SAS 134 will help to make the auditor’s report more useful and transparent to financial statement users.

After two years of implementation delays, construction contractors, other private companies, and certain not-for-profits must now implement a new accounting framework for revenue recognition. The comprehensive changes outlined in Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Topic 606, is designed to improve the consistency of financial reporting of businesses across different industries. The standardization is meant to help external stakeholders better understand a company’s financial position and compare data across industries.

As the economy barrels into recovery many Georgia businesses are welcoming the change with open arms. The increased demand for products and services means many will soon return to pre-pandemic profitability. Despite the optimism, the reality is the aftereffects of COVID-19 are creating new challenges for many, including Atlanta construction companies and contractors. The confluence of supply chain issues, increasing material costs, and project delays have made recovery a challenging endeavor. Matters are further complicated by the news that worker shortages are once again a growing concern.

The American Jobs Plan is a $2.3 trillion piece of legislation designed to improve America’s physical and digital infrastructure while enhancing advanced manufacturing capabilities. Atlanta construction companies stand to benefit from the proposed investment through targeted projects such as new roads and bridges, airports, rail, seaports, and even additional workforce training.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), which was passed on December 27, 2020, provided a much-needed boost to millions of U.S. taxpayers and contained billions of dollars in new federal funding designed to support the construction industry. In addition to reviving the Paycheck Protection Program, the CAA contained several tax extenders and made other tax incentives permanent. This included a renewal of the Employee Retention Tax Credit, Section 179d, and several renewable energy-related credits. When combined these relief measures can help Atlanta construction companies and contractors manage through the persistent COVID-19 pandemic.

When the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, (CAA) was signed into law on December 27, 2020, it provided a second round of desperately needed stimulus to American businesses and families. The combination of individual, government, and business provisions mean help is on the way to combat the persistent pandemic. The opportunity for Atlanta construction companies arises from changes to various tax and federal loan programs, but also in the funding in areas such as transportation, energy, and schools, which is sure to create new demand. This is especially welcome news given the high rate of project delays and cancellations over the past year.

he COVID-19 pandemic has created disruption across the economy impacting businesses in every industry. It started in March with forced business closures and stay at home orders and has continued with modified operating rules issued by the state and Centers for Disease Control (CDC). While necessary to protect public health, it has resulted in one of the most challenging business climates in decades. Although each industry has been impacted differently, construction has not been immune to the fallout.

Stay-at-home orders and supply chain disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic were two of the biggest changes impacting the construction industry this year. The trickle-down effect as states have fully reopened is that projects are now being approached very differently particularly when it comes to bidding

Over the past few months, Atlanta construction contractors have been dealing with the business challenges arising from COVID-19. Managing unexpected and sudden jobsite closures, changing safety guidelines, and ongoing labor shortages have put contractors in a precarious position. Many have had to revisit contracts for those jobs which have been delayed/canceled to assess exposure.