Back To Top

Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC)

Helping you build more profit

Industry Expertise, Timely Service

Running a successful architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) business takes more than good tools and hard work. It requires the assistance of professionals who know the industry and can help you operate more efficiently and successfully.

For decades, YHB has been providing tax, accounting, auditing and consulting services that help AEC clients do exactly that. Because AEC are a main focus of our firm, we’ve developed great expertise in anticipating and meeting the needs of businesses like yours.

Named in The Top 50 Construction Accounting Firms

YHB has been named in Construction Executive’s The Top 50 Construction Accounting Firms™ ranking.  Construction Executive’s The Top 50 are ranked by U.S. a comprehensive evaluation of key metrics, including firm size, revenue, client satisfaction, and industry expertise. 

AEC Accounting Solutions that Work for You

We build teams and solutions customized to meet your needs and prepare you for the future.

Solutions to Help You Succeed

Target

At YHB, we build teams tailored to your goals. Because truthfully, we’ve never been comfortable with uniformed solutions. Instead, we pull from our collective expertise to design a sophisticated blueprint for your financial future. 

Engagement Team Continuity

Business Consulting

Because our turnover is low, you’ll be served by many of the same professionals throughout an engagement and over the years. This means you won’t have to explain what your organization does to new staff each year.

Scalable for the Future

Handshake

We offers a full range of scalable controller or CFO services that can be right-sized to meet your needs. And once we’ve determined the kind of services you need, you can count on a predictable fee and continuity of service.

We Know the Industry

To stay on top of industry trends and issues, we are active members of the Construction Financial Management Association, Associated General Contractors, Associated Builders and Contractors, the Construction Industry CPAs/Consultants Association and local chapters of the National Association of Homebuilders. We are also continually refining our technical knowledge by participating in various training and continuing professional education programs.

As a result, YHB is ready to help you build your success with services that include:

  • Audits, reviews, and compilations, including Federal Acquisition Rate (FAR) audits
  • Tax planning and filing
  • Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credits
  • Energy-Efficiency Tax Credits
  • Strategic Planning, business valuation, and M&A assistance
  • Succession and estate planning
  • Cost-segregation studies and fixed-asset depreciation records
  • Selecting the best organizational structure and accounting method
  • Bonding and surety analysis, and operational reviews
  • Payroll tax services and employee benefit plans
  • Risk management and litigation support
  • Computer hardware and accounting software selection

Monitoring services allow you to understand how your company compares to others in your industry, how this year compares to last year, and how third party users, like banks and bonding companies, interpret your statements.  Monitoring services include:

  • Trend analysis and benchmarking
  • Contract schedule design, reconciliation, and analysis
  • Financial statement interpretation and analysis
  • Management meetings to communicate and implement recommendations

Advisory services are designed to maximize your financial and tax positions.  Management snapshots help you negotiate the vast amounts of information generated by today’s technology. Social media posts and monthly newsletters keep you connected. Advisory services include:

  • Tax reduction and deferral
  • Financial management including cash flow analysis, budgeting, and projections
  • Project management insights through performance and job analysis
  • Equipment management advice through depreciation strategies, costing and allocation
  • Accounting system and software assessment, design, and monitoring
  • Debt analysis and negotiation
  • Inventory management
  • Bond enhancement

You work hard and deserve working with professionals with the skills and knowledge to help you grow confidently. At YHB we have team members who work exclusively with construction clients which means we understand how to help you build a profit.

Certified Construction Industry Financial Professionals

The Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP®) designation is the only certification for construction financial professionals and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) under ISO 17024:2012. The ICCIFP provides the construction industry with a third-party verification of an individual’s knowledge, which is essential to ethical financial management in today’s complex construction industry.

 

Many public accounting firms have construction clients, but construction may not be a major practice area. The firms that have CCIFPs on staff have demonstrated commitment to the industry and competence in construction financial management.

 

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 only two of the knowledge domains are accounting related:

Accounting and reporting
Income recognition methods
Risk management
Budgeting and planning
Legal
Human resources
Taxes
Information technology


Contact us when you’re ready to build profits

Stay ahead of the curve. Sign up for our Construction Industry Newsletter.

 

Let's Talk

Contact us when it’s time to move forward.

Theresa Etcho
X
About Theresa

Theresa graduated from James Madison University with a BBA degree in Accounting. She is a licensed CPA with over 25 years of public accounting experience. Theresa has extensive knowledge and a proven track record of consistently and effectively delivering accounting services focused on enhancing the clients’ profitability and sustainability. She works with a variety of clients in various industries in preparing financial statements in accordance with current standards, performing audits, review and compilation procedures, and preparing tax returns.

Theresa is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. She is also active with the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Expertise

Theresa’s strongest skills cover many aspects of financial reporting and taxation, including laws, cost control principals, ledger analysis, financial statements, budging, taxation, and economic regulations. She often consults with clients regarding tax planning, implementation of general accounting principles and improving internal control processes in order to identify and deliver tax and advisory solutions to help them achieve their goals.

Andy Boyles
X
ABOUT ANDY

Andy graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting in May 1999 from James Madison University.  He has worked in public accounting his entire career at firms serving the Washington DC and Richmond metropolitan areas.  His experience includes working with closely held businesses and organizations in a variety of industries including real estate and construction, transportation, nonprofit, and manufacturing.  His experiences in these industries include working with businesses of all sizes in both the assurance and tax fields.  He also has an in-depth understanding auditing employee benefit plans.

Andy has presented on topics including Computer Assisted Audit Techniques for the annual “Virginia Society of CPA’s Audit and Accounting Conference” and been a guest speaker for several construction industry associations presenting on topics including understanding construction contractor financial statements and fraud issues for construction contractors.

Andy has been honored in Virginia Business as a Super CPA in the Young CPAs category.  He currently serves on the Executive Committee and is Treasurer of the nonprofit organization Rebuilding Together Richmond.  He is a member of both the Associated Builders and Contractors Virginia Chapter and the Associated General Contractors of Virginia and currently is on the membership committee and young leader’s council for these organizations.

EDUCATION
  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 1999 from James Madison University
Dorrie Franzello-Kurtz
X
ABOUT DORRIE

Dorrie graduated from George Mason University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and later received her Master’s degree from the University of Phoenix in 2010. Since entering the world of public accounting Dorrie has focused on construction and small business on both attest and tax engagements. Dorrie previously acted as a controller in private industry, responsible for forecasting, budgeting, monthly close process, general ledger analysis and year-end financial procedures.

In addition to working on attest and tax engagements, Dorrie provides consulting services for clients with selection, execution, and training of various accounting process and software solutions.  She utilizes her accounting and industry knowledge to aid businesses on deciding which tools to implement for current and future requirements. When doing this, she is able to leverage her technical experience with her unique understanding of the challenges businesses face.

Dorrie is an active member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of Public Accountants.  Additionally, Dorrie is a current member of the Associated General Contractors (AGC), the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), National Association of Homebuilders, and Construction Industry CPAs and Consultants (CICPAC).

 

·   ·   ·   ·

 

What Clients are Saying

 

“I have really enjoyed working with Dorrie Franzello-Kurtz! Customer service is second to none.– Anonymous

Wesley Elliott
X
Wesley Elliott
CPA, MSA
Connect:
Industries
ABOUT WESLEY

Wesley joined Yount, Hyde and Barbour, P.C. in November, 2012, and specializes in providing tax and attest services to many of the Firms construction and real estate clients.  He splits his time between the YHB Leesburg and Winchester offices. Wesley earned his Masters of Science Accounting Degree in 2008 from Strayer University, and became a CPA in 2010.  Wesley is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Construction Industry CPAs/Consultants Association.

Christopher L. Frye
X
About Chris

Chris joined Yount, Hyde and Barbour, P.C. in 2004 after graduating from Virginia Tech, where he earned a B.S. degree in accounting. He is a member of multiple committees, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Associated Builders and Contractors, the ABC-VA, Management Education Committee, the Associated General Contractors (AGC) and the Construction Industry CPAs/Consultants Association.

Experience

During his time with the firm, Chris has focused his efforts on providing audit, review, compilation and tax services to clients in a variety of industries, including construction, government contracting, real estate and not-for-profit entities. Chris also specializes in assisting clients with strategic performance management, including the implementation of dashboards and overall process improvements.

Expertise

Through continuing education and professional development, Chris stays up-to-date on the trends and changes affecting his clients’ industries and the accounting profession as a whole. He regularly speaks and writes articles on these relevant topics as they arise. In addition to being a licensed CPA, Chris has also earned a CSPM (Certified in Strategic Performance Management) designation through MentorPlus®. This designation allows Chris to provide value to his clients above and beyond tax, audit, and other compliance services.

Approach

Chris strives to take a “client centric” approach, where services are based on the actual needs of the client rather than a specific commodity or deliverable. By taking time to understand the operations of a business and its future goals, Chris is able to provide superior customer service and help clients avoid and plan for potential difficulties, rather than just accurately reporting on them once they occur.

Other Interests

Chris enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons. His hobbies include exercising, strength training and running, as well as following Virginia Tech Athletics. He served as assistant basketball coach at Millbrook High School from 2004 – 2014.

 

·   ·   ·   ·

 

What Clients are Saying

 

Easy to work with.  Professional. Always available.  Trust and value YHB with all aspects of our business.” – Anonymous

“Chris Frye’s trustworthiness, and his knowledge, consistency and professionalism, year in and year out.” – Anonymous

Jacob Pendergraft
X
Jacob Pendergraft
CPA
Connect:
Specialties
Industries
About Jacob

Jacob is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience. He earned his BS degree in Business Administration with a focus in accounting from Shenandoah University in 2012, followed by a Master of Business Administration in 2013. Jacob began his journey with YHB in 2013, achieving his CPA license in 2015. Throughout his extensive career, he has dedicated himself to providing top-notch assurance services to a diverse clientele, specializing in construction, government contracting, and other for-profit organizations.

INVOLVEMENT & MEMBERSHIPS

Jacob is also an active participant in various industry associations. He holds memberships in both the Associated Builders and Contractors and the Association for General Contractors, staying closely connected to industry trends and developments. Additionally, Jacob is a proud member of the Virginia Society for Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, showcasing his commitment to professional growth and excellence in his field.

Other Interests

Jake cherishes spending quality time with his wife, three children, and friends. His hobbies include coaching his kids’ baseball and softball teams, going to the beach, cooking, playing golf, and avidly following the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Orioles.

Johanna Smith
X
Johanna Smith
CPA
Connect:
Industries
About Johanna

Johanna graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting. She is a licensed CPA with over 20 years of accounting experience and is also a Notary Public. Johanna is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. She is also active with the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Expertise

Johanna has extensive experience in preparing financial statements in accordance with current standards. Her expertise is also in preparing tax returns, review and compilation procedures for construction contractors, subcontractors, home builders and physicians. She regularly consults with clients regarding accounting assistance, implementation of general accounting principals, and improving internal control processes.

She knows how important it is to keep her clients informed about any relevant tax law legislation or accounting standard that is important to their business needs. In order to best serve her clients and help them achieve their goals, Johanna takes the time to fully comprehend their specific situations and concerns.

Matthew Smith
X
Experience

Matt joined YHB in 2008 after graduating from Radford University. At YHB, he has focused his efforts on providing assurance and consulting services to private companies in the construction and real estate industries. Through his active participation in industry trade associations and continuous industry specific training and education, Matt has obtained a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of these industries.

Expertise

As someone who has been actively involved in both the audit and attestation as well as tax services, Matt has a strong understanding of accounting issues that are unique to the industries he serves. He is familiar with their unique accounting and reporting needs, as well as industry benchmarks and best practices. Matt excels at analyzing financial statements and key performance indicators, and advising clients about ways to improve their accounting procedures and internal controls.

Certified Construction Industry Financial Professionals

To further his commitment to the construction industry, Matt became a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professionals (CCIFPs) in 2018. 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.

 
Approach

Open communication with management throughout the year helps Matt establish a healthy, trusting relationship with the client. Frequent communication helps identify the client’s concerns and allows Matt to focus on areas that will add value to the client and address those concerns. His goal is to have a no surprise engagement that is characterized by a high degree of interaction with the client, which facilitates quick response to any issues as well as effective and efficient completion of every engagement.

Involvement and Memberships

Matt is on the Executive Committee with CICPAC (Construction Industry CPAs/Consultants Association) and an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, Associated General Contractors (AGC), the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), National Association of Homebuilders, and Construction Financial Management Association. In addition to his active participation, he is also the current Treasurer for the Top of Virginia Homebuilders Association.

 

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting and finance, from Radford University

 

·   ·   ·   ·

 

What Clients are Saying

 

“Matt responds quickly and concisely whenever I email him. He never lets the ball drop.” – Anonymous

M. Lynn Reilly
X
M. Lynn Reilly
CPA
Connect:
Industries
About Lynn

Lynn graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting. She is a licensed CPA with over 38 years of accounting experience in the public and private sector. Lynn is a member of multiple organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. She is also active with the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Expertise

Lynn has extensive experience in providing a full range of tax services in compliance with laws and regulations. She performs innovative income tax planning, complex tax return preparation and review for individuals, corporations, partnerships and trusts.

In order to best serve her clients, Lynn takes the time to fully comprehend their specific situations and concerns. She knows how important it is to keep her clients informed about any relevant tax law legislation that is important to their business needs. She strives to help her clients fine tune their accounting processes so that they can work faster and smarter and achieve their goals.

Kimberly Koch
X
Kimberly Koch
CPA
Connect:
Industries
About Kim

Kim graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. She is a licensed CPA with 30 years of diverse accounting experience. Kim has extensive experience in assisting clients in preparing financial statements in accordance with current standards and conducting reviews and compilations for construction contractors and small businesses. In addition to providing attest services, Kim provides consulting services for clients regarding accounting system selection and implementation, accounting assistance, and financial reporting and analysis.

Kim is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. She has previously held board positions on various school, youth, and community organizations and currently serves on the board of a local non-profit community organization.

Expertise

Kim’s strongest skills cover many aspects of financial reporting and taxation, including cost control principals, ledger analysis, financial statements, budgeting, taxation, and economic regulations. Her broad experience in this deadline-driven environment enables her to successfully help build a better financial future for both regional businesses and individuals.

Jessica Sipple
X
Jessica Sipple
CPA
Connect:
Specialties
Industries
About Jessica

Jessica joined YHB in 2018 with several years of audit experience in public accounting. She later became a CPA in 2019. She has several degrees including both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an Accounting Minor and a Master of Science in Accounting and Information Systems from University of Maryland University College.

Expertise

During her time at YHB, Jessica has focused on providing audit, review, compilation, agreed upon procedures, and accounting services for governmental entities, construction companies, not-for-profits, and closely held businesses.

Memberships & Other Interests

Jessica is an active member in the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). She also formerly served as treasurer of the Boys and Girls Club of Frederick County, MD.

Kevin L. Branner
X
About Kevin

Since beginning his career at Yount Hyde Barbour in 1991, Kevin has been focused on helping construction companies, developers and real estate firms maximize their financial success. He has a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Randolph-Macon College.

Kevin is a member of numerous community organizations such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Associated Builders and Contractors, the National Association of Homebuilders. He is an executive committee member of the Construction Financial Management Association (Central Virginia Chapter) an Associate Representative of the AGC Virginia State Board of Directors and the Treasurer of the AGC Valley District.

Experience

Kevin is highly experienced in delivering a broad range of accounting and business advisory services to construction contractors, including tax planning and filing and succession planning. Through his active participation in various construction trade associations, he has developed a keen understanding of industry trends and issues.

Expertise

Kevin excels in advising construction businesses and their owners on ways to minimize taxes and achieve their objectives. Because of his extensive network of community contacts, he is especially effective at facilitating relationships with bankers, bonding agents, sureties, and other professionals who can provide the credit and services contractors and developers need to succeed. He also is skilled at conducting operational reviews and helping YHB clients choose business structures and accounting methods that lift their bottom lines.

Approach

As Kevin sees it, the key to effective client service is developing a good relationship with a business’s owners and managers. So, whatever the purpose of an engagement, he begins by sitting down with you to discuss your needs and objectives and learn how you operate. By listening carefully, he is better able to identify issues to address and changes to make so that you not only achieve your objectives, but also maximize your success.

Other Interests

An avid golfer, Kevin enjoys spending time on the greens, or with his wife , daughter and son.

 

·   ·   ·   ·

 

What Clients are Saying

 

“Kevin Branner is my CPA. He has been phenomenal assisting me with growing a business and then selling that business. Also has helped tremendously with an ongoing audit. I’m blessed to have Kevin in my corner.” – Cris A.