Industries

Architecture, Engineering & Design

At FD, we help architecture, engineering and design firms turn technical excellence into lasting profitability, combining deep industry knowledge with the accounting, tax and advisory support growing practices need.

How We Help

A Blueprint for Growth & Profitability

Running a design practice is a complex, competitive undertaking. Our advisors bring decades of experience serving architects, engineers and designers, focusing on the metrics that actually drive profitability, including utilization rates, multipliers and overhead ratios, rather than treating your firm like any other business. That specialized lens, paired with proficiency in Deltek, Sage Intacct and QuickBooks, means we speak your language from day one.

We help you benchmark project profitability, manage the demands of overhead rate compliance for public-sector work, plan mergers, acquisitions and ownership transitions and stay ahead of cash flow and job costing. The goal is simple: free your team to focus on design, backed by the confidence that the business side of your firm is in expert hands.

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Overhead Rate Audits & Compliance*

Confidence for Every FAR Submission

For firms pursuing government and public agency work, overhead rate accuracy is essential. We audit overhead rates for federal and state submissions, review historical FAR rates and disallowed expenses, and strengthen internal controls to keep your firm in compliance, giving reviewing agencies confidence and your firm a competitive edge in pursuit of new contracts.

* Attest services are provided through Frazier & Deeter, LLC, a licensed U.S. public accounting firm.

Challenges We Address

Overhead Rate Audits & FAR Compliance*

Project Profitability & Benchmarking

R&D Tax Credits & Section 179D

Mergers & Acquisitions

Succession Planning

Outsourced Accounting Services

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What sets Frazier & Deeter apart from general accounting firms for the architecture, engineering and design (AED) industry?

Unlike most firms, we focus on metrics that drive AED profitability, such as utilization rates, multipliers and overhead ratios. We are also proficient in industry-specific software such as Sage Intacct, Deltek and QuickBooks. This specialized expertise distinguishes us as true business advisors who add value to organizations rather than mere vendors.

Does Frazier & Deeter handle FAR overhead rate audits for firms pursuing government contracts?

Yes, this is a core strength. We audit overhead rates for federal and state submissions,* review historical FAR rates and disallowed expenses, and help establish internal controls to ensure compliance.

Can you help our firm pursue R&D tax credits or the Section 179D energy efficiency deduction?

Absolutely. Architects, engineers and designers often miss valuable tax incentives. We guide clients through the eligibility process and quantify tax utilization available for R&D credits, Section 179D deductions and other industry-specific credits as part of our tax planning. Missing these can mean leaving significant money on the table.

We’re considering a merger or acquisition. Can you advise us?

Yes, this is a key service for AED clients. We provide calculation of valuation, due diligence and post-transaction integration tailored to the architecture, engineering and design industry. We also assist principals with succession planning for eventual exits and find that the best executed succession plans start at least five years in advance of the desired exit date.

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