Recent Discussions

Thank you for joining the CCIFP Study Forum! CCIFP Month sponsored by FORVIS begins August 1st 2023! As you travel through your CCIFP study journey feel free to post your questions in this Community Forum. You can start your own threads by domain and even find study partners by posting your inquiries here. Check back often as we will post a link to chat with current CCIFPs to answer your study and prep questions, links to relevant information ...

We are a newer company that supplies specialized 3rd party subcontractors to construction projects around the area. We currently use the company's main office address as the work location for the employees because work is often very short in duration, sometimes a few days to several weeks. We employ both W2 and 1099 contractors to this end. When setting work locations with our payroll company, is it acceptable to continue using our main office ...

Hi Kayla, We don't know of anyone currently loaning out "The Book", however, in the past some chapters have supported CCIFP credentialing by purchasing The Book and making it available (loaning) it to their members. You may ask your chapter's leadership if they have or would consider doing so. Another option is to work with a Study Group - there is a lot of buzz in the General Inquiries Connection Cafe' Community right now about Study Groups. ...

Hi Vivian, We don't know of any CCIFP Exam coaches. What specifically did you have in mind that the coach could do for you? Did you take the test and have feedback on areas that needed more attention? Have you asked CCIFPs in your local chapter to help you? There is a lot of buzz right now for Study Groups where I am sure you'll find support. With a few other individuals you should be able to cover the critical concepts of the 8 knowledge domains. ...

We are happy for all of you who are interested in forming a Study Group where you can leverage each other's experience, skills, knowledge, and efforts to support each other in earning your CCIFP credentials! And there are many other benefits, too. Love that it's a 2024 Goal for some of you! Some of you have started a chain with Melissa Valdez, that's great. Here are some other resources for you - an excerpt from the CCIFP Study Guide which is included ...

Good afternoon Samuel, As mentioned by others, when starting out, you're going to see higher rates. Once you have a couple of years track record, you should see rates come down. It is a good idea to shop around or have a good Surety Broker that might have multiple Surety resources. We have been doing bonded work for about 7 years now. Our rates currently are as follows. But they started out much higher. I expect them to drop in the years to come. ...

In a similar way that Geico promises to save 15% (since they don't pay agent commissions), Federated generally provides 30% savings on bond rates by cutting out the middleman (bond broker) and their commission. If a business has strong financials and a good track record, it's not uncommon to see rates starting at 1.5% (or even less) and blending down based on job size rather than the 2.5% that's industry-standard. We specialize in small to mid-size ...

Hello, We are interested in learning how other large companies are accounting for small tools and hardware that will be primarily consumed on a single job. Is your company charging them directly to the job or are they being expensed to an overhead account? ------------------------------ Lori Bruggeman Controller Controller Progressive Services, Inc Phoenix AZ (602) 452-8505 ------------------------------

We charge our jobs a technology fee. The fee is a set percentage of revenue. We assess the rate we are charging annually to ensure we are charging enough to cover costs. We do this by reviewing operations related technology costs for the year and the amount of revenue we expect for the year. ------------------------------ Megan Low Corporate Controller Jacobsen Construction Company, Inc. Salt Lake City UT (801) 503-7947 ------------------------ ...

Hello all - One of my clients (self-performing specialty trade contractor, combo of fixed price, T&M and service work) needs some sales and use tax help. Mostly pertaining to work performed in California, but some performed in other U.S. States. If anyone has any recommendations, I'd appreciate it. They're not looking for a software solution; they're looking for a consultant to advise them on compliance matters and best practices. Consultants/vendors ...

Hi Rich, I am not personally aware of any large national provider that can natively produce certified payroll, however I utilize one of two third parties, LCP Tracker or HCM Tradeseal, depending on the specific business. There are likely some smaller, local providers who can meet your need in your area. I am sure you will find other options through this post, but LCP Tracker and HCM Tradeseal should be able to meet your need and will have multiple ...

YES! I would love to be included as well. Thank you! ------------------------------ Mark DeVerges Director, FORVIS Search: Construction & Real Estate FORVIS Asheville NC (828) 254-2254 ------------------------------

Hello everyone! Tammi and a few others created a group. We currently communicate through an email chain. Maybe we can use a google doc or another platform to include everyone? Thank you, Melissa Valdez CGC General Contractors

Hi Tammi, I would be interested as this is one of the items on my goal list to complete for 2024. Thank you! ------------------------------ Davidra Smith Finance Manager Kwame Building Group, Inc. St Louis MO (314) 754-5640 ------------------------------

We use Finvari as our credit card for fuel and nonfuel purchases. Roger Archibald Chief Financial Officer Tel 636.385.1039 | Cell 636.579.6566 | Fax 636.385.1139 864 Hoff Road | O'Fallon, Missouri 63366 | www.sakcon.com This email and any files ...

Samuel, when you're talking about performance bonds first you need to get approved with the bonding company . Typically, if it's a project under $1,000,000 the underwriting can be quite easy , once you get over that amount many financials will be needed to establish the bond amount they will be willing to go up too. For rough figures on the quote figure 2 to 3% of the project amount but could be higher based on the company financials. I do bonds so ...

We like WEX. What was the reason you switched? Thanks ------------------------------ Peter Chepul CFO Doggett Concrete Construction Charlotte NC (704) 236-8576 ------------------------------

Mark your calendar and register below to attend learn about the Top 5 Mistakes of Software Implementation that we see time and again in the market and help ensure contractors don't fall victim to. The webinar is on May 15th @4pm eastern! To attend, please register here or by clicking this link https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/8917146038750/WN_EPbOvoakTw6Kedi4FRsjfw We've had great success in our recent ERP Roundtable webinars ...

Tim, At the time, a few years ago, Intacct didn't have the payroll capabilities I wanted/needed. We are a union contractor. They didn't have the ability to handle bill rates to the client. I think eventually they will get there, and those of us still on Sage 300 will convert over. But as of the time I looked at them, they didn't have all the features I needed. I wish they did, because hosting everything in the cloud would be much easier. ------------------------------ ...

Hi Zachariah, Thanks for the response! Our ERP is JDE, ideally with integrations or a way to manually push data into JDE that wouldn't be too cumbersome. We don't accept payment in the field and is for commercial purposes in the telecommunications industry for USA. Below are some of the requirements. HIGH LEVEL REQUIREMENTS Customer billing types supported: labour charges - including all possible combinations ...

Anyone using Flashtract with Sage 100 Contractor? How do you get them to talk to each other? Thanks ------------------------------ Cindy DiCosola CFO Arnett Construction/Arnett Custom Homes Charleston SC ------------------------------

Would people want to start a online group, Slack, Discord etc? Not sure what services people use or prefer. ------------------------------ Brian Catlin Asst Controller The Dutra Group Southbury CT (203) 584-3247 ------------------------------

The 25/15/10 slide is a Standard Class B Rate. With longer Surety relationship, stronger financial presentation, etc... you would likely be able to halve those Rates. Again, Rates differ by firm and vary WIDELY based on range of factors. ------------------------------ Harry Ungeheuer CIC Sr Surety Underwriter Philadelphia Insurance Companies Bridgewater MA (781) 297-6568 ------------------------------

We require our trades to sign a sworn statement listing their suppliers and the amounts to be paid. We also receive a partial conditional waiver from the trades. Over the last two months, we keep getting notices to lien from suppliers who weren't paid. It's either that it was on the sworn statement and the trade didn't actually pay the supplier or they don't list that supplier on the sworn statement at all. Does anyone have a process to prevent ...

I don't think this was meant to come to me. Roger Archibald Chief Financial Officer Tel 636.385.1039 | Cell 636.579.6566 | Fax 636.385.1139 864 Hoff Road | O'Fallon, Missouri 63366 | www.sakcon.com This email and any files transmitted ...

Samuel, We just became bonded with and indemnity agreement that did not require ownership guarantee and these are our rates. ------------------------------ Shawn Harris Business Manager / Owner CD&H, Inc. El Dorado KS (316) 320-7187 ------------------------------

We are currently using ADP who promises a lot and delivers little in our experience. We are a commercial HVAC/Electrical Contractor with 165 employees and we do work about 10% of the time requiring certified payrolls. ------------------------------ Rich Ruggeri​​​​ CFO _________________________________________________________________ T| 732-922-1305 F| 732-922-0745 rruggeri@enconmech.com 3433 Sunset Ave. Ocean, ...

Hi Lorne, Are you looking to manage mainly residential or commercial field work? That's a big differentiator as many field service systems specialize on one side or the other. There or other considerations as well (e.g., do you accept payment in the field, do you want to integrate with your ERP and if yes which one is it). ------------------------------ Zachariah Merschdorf Account Executive & Solutions Architect Accordant Tequesta FL (813) 388-0645 ...

Tammi, I am interested in joining your study group. My email is dcarter@crainconstructioninc.com ------------------------------ David Carter Senior Project Accountant Crain Construction, Inc. Nashville TN (615) 244-1222 ------------------------------

Samuel, Bond Rates vary by Contractor. The Surety evaluates your specific firm by company history/Principals/personnel, prior project experience and thorough examination of financial performance trending over numerous years. If you have had multiple Sureties offer Program proposals, you should already have good indication of Rates available for your firm based on that criteria. Best regards, ------------------------------ Harry Ungeheuer CIC ...

Good morning. I'll throw my hat into the ring as well. I'd love to have some additional people to study with. ione_ramsdell@trimble.com ------------------------------ Ione Ramsdell CIT, CDS Trimble Viewpoint Portland OR (615) 429-5081 ------------------------------

We switched from Wex about 18 months ago and we are with a new fuel card service called A to B. The discounts have been 3x's what we were getting with Wex. Pros: - easy to use website, app based to unlock cards so very secure, can be used at all gas stations Cons: - reporting; not able to get as granular as we did with Wex and we pay each week rather than once a month, new company so a few hiccups at first but most of them have all been addressed ...

I would recommend looking at Ramp. 100% on-line interface, easy to use and has the ability to open and shut off features. For example, if you want to allow some who is traveling out of town to put a hotel and meals for a specific period of time, you can do that on-line really easily. When purchasing fuel, all the guys in the field have to do is take a picture of the receipt or of the total on the tank and it will match up with the charges. ...

This is a great question for this forum. Perhaps 5-6 years ago, we changed how we cost IT to jobs. It used to be very specific cost allocation to each job, by equipment. We made the change, and began to aggregate the total cost of IT and quantify the cost per direct labor hour. Then on a monthly basis, that cost is allocated to jobs. Now, the cost follows the hours worked. This has been a great administrative convenience because it got Accounting ...

We allocate our monthly Procore expense to all jobs. There is a minimum charge of at least $50.00 and the rest is determined by % of revenue per job in that month. The larger jobs will get a larger portion of the expense based on the revenue. We budget the expense based on duration and size of the job. ------------------------------ Dawn Marshall Controller Site Specific LLC Providence RI (401) 632-4400 ------------------------------

Thanks Glen! Can you send me the link or any information from the indirect cost allocation seminar you reference? Thanks ------------------------------ Connor Groh Controller Coakley Williams Bethesda MD (240) 200-1042 ------------------------------

Mark, ADP offers outstanding HR and onboarding capabilities, though requires you also implement our payroll service. Happy to get you more info if you are interested. On a side note, I have had the opportunity to Jay Snyder, and he gets my vote of confidence. Good luck in your search. ------------------------------ Glen Ulrich Industry Solution Specialist ADP Saline MI (734) 678-2793 ------------------------------

Connor, This is a link to a similar discussion on this topic: Technology Fees - Do you bill clients for these | General Inquiries (cfma.org) I also have info on allocating Indirect costs to projects I gleaned from info from an Indirect Cost Allocation seminar CFMA offers if you are interested. ------------------------------ Glen Ulrich Industry Solution Specialist ADP Saline MI (734) 678-2793 ------------------------------

We have a similar situation and charge a technology fee to projects as a percentage of revenue. We capture the inoice costs in overhead and then from time to time post a journal entry to debit job costs and credit the technology overhead account. We generally have success in explaining this to owners and they accept it. ------------------------------ James Burnett Chief Financial Officer W.M. Jordan Co., Inc. Newport News VA (757) 596-6341 -- ...

I would like to join if there is any room available. I would assume remote group. Thanks David Esposito ------------------------------ David Esposito MBA Chief Financial Officer CCC Cathcart Construction Company Winter Springs FL (630) 999-0068 ------------------------------

Just realized I should send a message to this communication to let the CFMA group know I followed up with the Sheila directly. ------------------------------ Glen Ulrich Industry Solution Specialist ADP Saline MI (734) 678-2793 ------------------------------

Hi Tammi, I am interested in joining in the CCIFP study group. Let me know if you have one started or found one I can join. It looks like you have quite a few responses, so perhaps we can all start one? Thank you! Susan McLaughlin Accounting Manager Colorado Hardscapes, Inc. Greenwood Village, CO smclaughlin@coloradohardscapes.com ------------------------------ Susan McLaughlin Accounting Manager Colorado Hardscapes Inc. Greenwood ...

We switched to Coast last year from WEX. Coast had some reporting issues initially but I believe that was primarily due to an issue with VISA. I like the security features. It nearly eliminates fraud and its easier to catch misuse. The link below lists their rebates. I would recommend them. https://coastpay.com/rewards/ ------------------------------ Lance Baggett CMA Assistant Controller Letsos Company Richmond TX (281) 832-0499 ------- ...

I'm curious if anyone running Viewpoint Vista has implemented Hilti OnTrack for equipment tracking and costing. I would be interested in discussing the implementation process and your satisfaction with the solution. Thanks, ------------------------------ William Steimer CCIFP VP Finance & Accounting Huseman Group Cincinnati OH (513) 543-7784 ------------------------------

We implemented GoCo last year and have been very pleased with the results. Roger Archibald Chief Financial Officer Tel 636.385.1039 | Cell 636.579.6566 | Fax 636.385.1139 864 Hoff Road | O'Fallon, Missouri 63366 | www.sakcon.com This email and ...

We went through some thorough due diligence when we selected our HRIS nearly 2 years ago. BambooHR was probably my favorite that we saw, but we ended up going with Arcoro because it was a better fit due to some of our sensitive contracts and business needs. We use Arcoro primarily for OnBoarding, Employee Portal, and paycheck stub distributions. I think at the time, BambooHR didn't have the capability to distribute paystubs unless payroll was ...

Tammi - I am interested in joining this group as well. sderosa@campuscmg.com Thank you, ------------------------------ Samuel DeRosa Campus Construction Management Group Pittsford NY (585) 545-6567 ------------------------------

Hi Kathleen, we currently use DUO to access our VPN for remote access outside the office where our server is located. Have you considered looking at Google Authenticator ? It is my understanding that it will work for VPN 2FA. ------------------------------ David Kelbley CPA, CCIFP Chief Financial Officer The Douglas Company Holland OH (419) 865-8600 ------------------------------

We are looking for alternatives too. We use BP...high fees and not a good online interface and Builder Pro...they have terrible customer service but do have a point system where you can get a gift card. We checked into Coast but found that they don't issue cards with names and therefore the user has to send a text and wait for authorization prior to pumping then after they would text the job information...way too difficult. I would like to hear what ...

Hello - We are a CMa and currently do not have to bond work. We are looking at pursuing an at-risk project that will require a bond, so I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share bond rates for the following: First $500,000 Next $2,000,000 Next $2,500,000 Over $7,500,000 I just want to make sure our rates are in line with what other sureties are offering. Thanks in advance! ------------------------------ Samuel DeRosa Campus ...