Advisory · 7 min read
Construction CPA: Accounting Help for Contractors and Builders
A construction CPA specializes in accounting and tax issues for contractors, builders, subcontractors, remodelers, developers, and construction companies. Construction accounting is more complex than standard business accounting because income and expenses are often tied to specific jobs, contracts, phases, and retainage.
What does a construction CPA do?
- Job costing
- Work-in-progress reports
- Revenue recognition
- Contractor tax planning
- Payroll tax compliance
- Equipment depreciation
- Subcontractor payments
- Retainage tracking
- Bonding financial statements
- Cash flow planning
- QuickBooks setup for contractors
- Sales and use tax review
- Year-end tax filing
Why construction accounting is different
Construction businesses need to know whether each project is profitable. A company can appear busy but still lose money if labor, materials, equipment, overhead, and change orders are not tracked properly. A construction CPA helps set up systems to monitor profitability before problems become severe.
