The knowledge you need

Construction job costing helps contractors understand how each project is performing financially from start to finish. That information has become increasingly important as rising material costs, labor shortages, and other project challenges continue to pressure construction margins. In addition to helping management identify problems before they become more expensive, job costing can improve future estimates and reveal which types of projects are the best fit for the business

Construction activity is strong, but the market is facing ongoing challenges. Rising material costs and global uncertainty are making it more difficult to predict project timing and margins. While contractors can't control market conditions, they can decide how much risk to accept before work begins. One of the earliest business decisions on any project is the construction contract. More than a legal agreement, the contract determines how financial risk and uncertainty will be shared between the owner and contractor. Understanding the different contract types can help construction leaders choose an approach that best fits each project and protects profitability.

Businesses with research and development (R&D) activities may have new tax planning opportunities to consider. Recent tax law changes have restored immediate expensing for many domestic R&D costs, but that is only part of the story. Depending on the business, there may be multiple ways to approach R&D tax benefits, and the decisions made today could affect tax savings and cash flow for years to come. Since the credit can lead to significant savings for those with eligible R&D activities, now is the time to revisit this incentive.

Construction bonds are a familiar part of life for most contractors, especially on public work. Federal contracts are subject to bonding requirements under the Miller Act, the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and most state and local governments have followed suit with additional rules. Private owners may also require bonds, particularly when a project is large enough or complex enough that the risk warrants it. For contractors, getting bonded opens doors. For owners, it provides a level of protection they would not otherwise have. Understanding what the different bonds actually do can help construction companies prepare and get ahead of any requirements.

Manufacturing leaders are under pressure to improve throughput, manage labor shortages, reduce downtime, and remain competitive in a changing operating environment. As automation conversations accelerate across the industry, many companies are taking a closer look at how automation may affect operations before committing capital to a major investment. That evaluation process often begins with an automation ROI analysis.

In February, the Supreme Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs enacted in early 2025 could not remain in effect. That ruling did not automatically trigger refunds. However, the Court of International Trade (CIT) later ordered that eligible importers receive refunds of those duties plus interest, setting off one of the largest customs refund efforts in recent history. 

A nonprofit budget is the organization’s financial plan for the year. It lays out expected revenue, planned expenses and shows how money will be used across programs, fundraising, and administration. This helps nonprofit leadership see whether plans are financially realistic and identify areas where additional fundraising may be needed. This information can also help to uncover where financial gaps may exist. Finally, it also helps board members understand the overall financial health of the organization before making any governance decisions.

Construction is one of the highest risk industries in the country. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the industry records more than 1,000 workplace fatalities each year and accounts for roughly 20% of all U.S. workplace deaths. Property damage, equipment theft, vehicle accidents, and hazardous materials also create exposure that can affect cash flow and long-term stability. Most contractors carry multiple insurance policies because no single policy covers every type of loss. Each policy addresses a different risk. Some coverage is required by law or contract. Other policies are optional, depending on the type of work performed.

Employee benefit plan audits are an annual requirement for many organizations that sponsor retirement or benefit plans and meet certain size thresholds. These audits exist to help protect plan participants and ensure that assets are handled in accordance with regulations. The audit is performed by an independent CPA firm, separate from the organization’s internal accounting function, and understanding what auditors look for is the first step to maintaining compliance.

Georgia lawmakers adjourned the 2026 legislative session after approving a series of tax changes affecting both income and property taxes. The package lowers the state income tax rate, limits how quickly home values can increase for property tax purposes, provides one-time rebates, and temporarily suspends the state gas tax. This is welcome news for many Georgia taxpayers that have been expecting relief. Portions of the legislation are already in effect, and others are expected to be finalized soon.