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Bookkeeping for architects and engineering firms
Accounting for architects and engineers is often a question of how time becomes a billable project cost. Tidwell helps maintain project records, payroll allocations and financial statements that connect design work with the firm’s operating results.
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General information, not legal advice.
Organize fees and expenses by project phase
Use consistent project and phase references for invoices, consultant bills and reimbursable expenses. Separate changes in scope from the original fee so project reports can explain where the budget moved.
Turn approved time into project labor costs
Staff time should distinguish project work from internal administration. Payroll allocations can then support a review of labor spending and utilization without assuming every paid hour is billable.
Keep progress billing connected to collections
A billing schedule and a receivables list answer different questions. Reconcile invoices and credits to payments, and retain documentation for amounts still awaiting approval. An active project is not necessarily a source of immediate cash.
Prepare a separate handoff for covered field work
If a public project includes work subject to prevailing wage requirements, preserve field time and project instructions for a certified payroll review. Tidwell can help organize that reporting; the applicable work and requirements must be confirmed for the project.
Project fee and field-record questions
Can bookkeeping show labor costs by design phase?
Yes. Consistent time and project coding allows approved payroll costs to follow the phase structure used by the firm.
How are reimbursable consultant costs tracked?
Keep the consultant invoice and client billing reference together. That makes it possible to identify costs incurred but not yet billed or collected.
Does every public design contract need certified payroll?
Do not infer coverage solely from the client’s identity. Confirm the scope and requirements with the project’s responsible adviser before setting up reporting.
Connect project time, billing and cash
Bring your current records and the questions you want the books to answer. We work remotely across California, with meetings at our Atascadero office by arrangement to discuss a practical service scope.
Monthly bookkeeping starts at $500 a month. See pricing