A&E Firms: Inflation and the Great Resignation
Posted by Kevin Johns on February 4, 2022
Kevin Johns
The dual pressures of emerging inflation and the “Great Resignation” have prompted A&E industry leaders to rethink their approach to attracting and retaining the top employees they need to stay competitive.
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A&E Outlook: Gain a Competitive Edge in 2022
Posted by Kevin Johns on January 24, 2022
Kevin Johns
A&E firms have faced a flurry of changes in the past few years. From tax laws to workforce trends to coronavirus impacts, leaders must manage increasing amounts of uncertainty. To gain some clarity, we spoke to Jamie Claire Kiser – a managing principal at Zweig Group – about trends affecting the A&E industry.
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Navigating the M&A Revolution in A&E Firms
Posted by Ben Smith and Kevin Johns on January 3, 2022
Ben Smith
By consolidating operations with allied companies or expanding their consumer base through strategic mergers, many businesses were able to survive the pandemic. As businesses attempt to return to “normal” it’s important for sellers to prove the staying power of their company and be prepared for higher scrutiny into their valuations.
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A&E Recruiting & Retention Secrets
Posted by Kevin Johns on November 3, 2021
Kevin Johns
Employee attraction and retention is a vital competitive factor for architecture and engineering (A&E) firms. Beyond the obvious price and technical considerations, success on any project really comes down to the skill and judgment of the people who are going to execute it.
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Is it Time to Buy or Sell Your A&E Firm?
Posted by Kevin Johns on October 28, 2021
Kevin Johns
Even if you don’t have current plans to buy or sell, now is a great time for you to refresh your awareness of M&A essentials. As an architecture or engineering firm owner, M&A considerations should be part of your long-term strategic planning whether or not you have a specific deal in mind.
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Zweig Group’s Elevate AEC 2021
Posted by Clayton & McKervey on October 7, 2021
Clayton & McKervey
In this video, we discuss essential preparation for a transaction to ensure you and your business are in the best possible position. Watch as A&E Industry Leader Kevin Johns, Private Client Services Leader Margaret Amsden and Zweig Group Managing Director Jamie Clair Kiser share insights on transactions and related estate planning considerations.
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A&E Talent Retention: Money isn’t the Only Motivator
Posted by Kevin Johns on October 6, 2021
Kevin Johns
Attracting and retaining a winning roster of top talent demands a creative focus on both compensation planning and cultural factors that matter to the professionals who create today’s engineering and architectural marvels. Here are some compensation planning and cultural considerations to help promote A&E talent retention.
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7 ESOP Considerations for A&E Firms
Posted by Kevin Johns on September 2, 2021
Kevin Johns
Employee Stock Ownership Plans can help facilitate succession planning while offering special advantages for owners and employees of architecture and engineering firms, including significant tax benefits. Learn more about the benefits of an ESOP and discover why you should consider one for your A&E firm.
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How to Overcome Zoom Fatigue
Posted by Kevin Johns on May 27, 2021
Kevin Johns
According to a peer-reviewed study from Stanford University, “Zoom Fatigue” is a real thing. Here are some tips to help you overcome this problem and clear the mental fog that occurs when being in front of the camera all day.
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Energizing Firm Culture in a Virtual World
Posted by Kevin Johns on May 11, 2021
Kevin Johns
Maintaining a magnetic culture is tough enough in normal times, but in today’s virtual environment it’s even harder to keep team members fully engaged. Here are some tips owners can use to deal with this challenge, along with some context to help tailor your approach.
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5 Financial Considerations for Architecture and Engineering Firms
Posted by Kevin Johns on April 13, 2021
Kevin Johns
In running your architecture or engineering business, you may find yourself spending as much time working on the business as you spend working in it. Here are five financial considerations that will help you build an enterprise that lasts for you and for your employees.
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Debt Restructuring: How Does it Impact Your Taxes?
Posted by Margaret Amsden on June 22, 2020
Margaret Amsden
Throughout the ordinary course of business, you could very well find yourself in a position of insolvency leading to the restructuring of your debt. Dealing with cash flow issues or insolvency can be very stressful and time-sensitive for business owners and taxpayers alike. Learn how debt restructuring impacts your taxes and what to do if you find yourself in this situation.
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Demystifying the Financial Statement
Posted by Jim Biehl on February 12, 2020
Jim Biehl
Owners spend years amassing the knowledge and experience necessary to become masters at their craft. Passion for the work and the satisfaction of helping clients is what drives them – not necessarily administrative tasks like financial accounting and reporting.
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Doing Business in the US: Challenges and Experiences of European Companies
Posted by Teresa Gordon on October 31, 2019
Teresa Gordon
European companies open branches in the United States for a host of reasons. For starters, the US gives these businesses a completely new base of customers; a chance to step out from the almost saturated European market and stand out from the crowd.
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Getting Ready for Year-End Planning
Posted by Margaret Amsden on October 28, 2019
Margaret Amsden
Every year brings a list of information filing requirements necessary to make sure that payees have the information needed to file their taxes. To assist with year-end business reporting, Clayton & McKervey has identified some items for you to consider.
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Revenue Recognition Changes for Professional Service Companies
Posted by Dave Van Damme on October 11, 2019
Dave Van Damme
While many professional service companies have completed their analyses and made updates to track data in accordance with the new standard, some are still in the process and playing catch-up. For those that still need to implement the standard, consider these key areas that are likely to impact professional service companies.
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Do You have to Adopt the FASB Revenue and Lease Standards?
Posted by Dave Van Damme on June 11, 2019
Dave Van Damme
Do you provide monthly or quarterly financial statements to your bank or other stakeholders? Are those financial statements required to be prepared using US GAAP standards?
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Now is the Time to Prepare for Next Year’s Taxes
Posted by Clayton & McKervey on May 8, 2019
Clayton & McKervey
This year marked the first of many under the new tax regime set in motion by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Now that you have one year of experience under your belt, you can pivot your strategies to optimize your tax positions under the new legislation. Let’s walk through four easy steps you can take to ensure that next year’s tax season goes smoothly.
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50% Meals and More: Digesting the Latest TCJA Update
Posted by Margaret Amsden on January 2, 2019
Margaret Amsden
Those planning to discuss business at the next tailgate, or talk shop over eighteen holes with the intention of writing off the expense on this year’s tax return, need to think again. In the IRS’s latest notice on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), changes to Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 274 regarding meals & entertainment, entertainment expenses are strictly off the menu.
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Before Celebrating the New Pass-Through Deduction, Know if it Will Benefit Your Business, CPA Advises
Posted by Clayton & McKervey on September 21, 2018
Clayton & McKervey
Clayton & McKervey has noticed business owners’ enthusiastic response to the newly enacted Internal Revenue Code (IRC) §199A or the “pass-through deduction,” as part of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) that became law in December 2017.
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