Contractors Center Point

McKonly & Asbury’s 2011 Fall Construction Seminar – November 1

McKonly & Asbury will be hosting our 2011 Fall Construction Seminar on Tuesday, November 1! Join us and our event sponsor, the American Subcontractors Association of Central Pennsylvania, as we explore topics relevant to the construction industry. 

Topics and speakers include:

McKonly & Asbury

• Accounting and Tax Update – Michael Hoffner, Partner - Audit and Accounting Services; Jason Skrinak, Principal - State and Local Tax; and Lisa White, Senior Manager - Federal Construction Tax
• Fraud and Construction – Samuel BowerCraft, Senior Manager - Information Technology and Security 

Reager & Adler, PC

• Construction Workplace Misclassification Act – Thomas Williams, Shareholder 

McConkey Insurance & Benefits

• Reducing Subcontractor Financial Risk – Greg Marco, Surety Account Executive 

The seminar will be held at the Radisson Penn Harris at 1150 Camp Hill Bypass in Camp Hill, PA. Registration and breakfast will begin at 7:30am and the seminar will run from 8:00am until 11:30am. The cost to attend is $25, and CPE credits are available.

To register for this event, please contact us at events@macpas.com or by calling (717) 761-7910.

McKonly and Asbury, LLP Along With Murray Risk Management and Insurance and Woolford Law Hold Spring Construction Seminar

On Thursday, May 19th2011, McKonly and Asbury, LLP along with Murray Risk Management and Insurance and Woolford Law, held there Spring 2011 Construction Seminar. The Seminar, with nearly 100 in attendance, was held at the Eden Resort in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The seminar started with a presentation on LEAN for the construction industry presented by Michael Hoffner, CPA and David Blain of McKonly and Asbury, LLP. Mr. Hoffner and Mr. Blain covered key concepts of LEAN and provided practical guidance for implementation of LEAN for contractors and those in the construction market. Jamie Malachowski of McKonly and Asbury, LLP provided a brief analysis on energy credits available to contractors and ways that contractors could take advantage of those credits.

Doug Dvorchak, ARM of Murray Risk Management and Insurance presented on Controlling Workers Compensation Costs. Mr. Dvorchak covered the calculation of premium, experience modification factors and discussed effective tools to reduce workers compensation cost. Mr. Dvorchak's presentation was followed by a discussion on How to Obtain and Maintain Bonding Credit in Troubled Times by Lydia Mantle of Murray Risk Management and Insurance. Mrs. Mantle covered the current state of the surety market, provided a surety outlook, discussed mechanisms to obtain and maintain bonding and covered the seven decisions that can make or break a surety program.

Finally, the day ended with an enlighting and very educational presentation from Tim Woolford, ESQ of Woolford Law. Mr. Woolford discussed the Prevailing Wage Act in Pennsylvania. Mr. Woolford focused on recent trends in the act, the outlook for future changes to the act and current enforcement trends in the act. The seminar was followed by a reception afterwords.

To view a copy of the presentation, please go to the events page of Contractors Center Point (www.contractorscenterpoint.com/events) and view the PDF under the May 19, 2011 Construction Seminar.

For more information on the May 19, 2011 seminar or to learn more about upcoming seminars in construction, please contact the construction professionals of McKonly and Asbury, LLP.

Time Is Running Out to Sign Up for the Spring 2011 Construction Seminar on May 19!

Sign up today for the Spring 2011 Construction Seminar on May 19! Hosted by McKonly & Asbury, Murray Risk Management and Insurance, and Woolford Law, this seminar will feature subject matter relevant to you and your business. 

The seminar will be held at the Eden Resort & Suites at 222 Eden Road in Lancaster, PA. Registration will begin at 12:30pm and the seminar will run from 1:00pm until 4:00pm. After the seminar, join us for drinks and snacks as we enjoy a time of networking from 4:00pm – 5:30pm. The cost to attend is $25, and CPE credits will be available. 

Speakers and topics include:

• Mike Hoffner and David Blain, McKonly & Asbury – “LEAN for Construction: A ‘How To’ Regarding the Use of LEAN Techniques for Contractors and Those in the Construction Markets”
• Jamie Malachowski, McKonly & Asbury – “Review of Energy Credits Available in the Construction Market”
• Doug Dvorchak, Murray Risk Management and Insurance – “Controlling Workers Compensation Costs”
• Lydia Mantle, Murray Risk Management and Insurance – “Thinking Outside the Box: Maintaining/Obtaining Bonding Credit in Troubled Times”
• Tim Woolford, Woolford Law – “A Primer on Prevailing Wage Compliance” 

To register for this event, please contact Erin Hench at ehench@macpas.com or by calling (717) 972-5814.

Save The Date - Spring Construction Seminar is Coming May 19th

Mark your calendars for May 19th and join us for a Spring 2011 Construction Seminar! Hosted by McKonly & Asbury, Murray Risk Management and Insurance, and Woolford Law, this seminar will feature subject matter experts from these companies who will discuss topics relevant to you and your business. These professionals know the construction industry and will cover the current and timely issues that matter most!

 

The seminar will be held at the Eden Resort & Suites at 222 Eden Road in Lancaster, PA. Registration will begin at 12:30pm and the seminar will run from 1:00pm until 4:00pm. Then after the seminar, join us for drinks and snacks as we enjoy a time of networking from 4:00pm – 5:30pm. The cost to attend is $25.

 

Details on topics and an agenda will be announced shortly on Contractors Center Point 

Save the date and check back soon for more details!  It's sure to be a great seminar that you won't want to miss!

McKonly and Asbury, LLP Construction Conference Discusses Recent Survey of the Construction Community, Bonding Credit Analysis and Assertions through Mechanics Liens.

On October 28^th, McKonly and Asbury, LLP in conjunction with Reager and Adler, PC and McConkey Insurance and Benefits, held their Fall 2010 Construction Conference. This very well attended conference featured timely discussions from each of the presenting organizations on current topics impacting the construction community. Whether you are a general contractor, subcontractor, supplier or service provider to the construction industry, the topics and information provided for the day where timely for today’s market and economy.

The day started with a presentation from McConkey Insurance and Benefits titled “Taking the Mystery out of Surety Bond Credit Analysis: An Inside Look at Universal Underwriting Guidelines.” The presentation was performed by Greg Marco, Surety Account Executive with McConkey Insurance and Benefits. The presentation focused on:

 

• Surety Trends
• Bond Underwriters Perspectives
• Balance Sheet Hot Buttons
• Backlog/Experience
• Off Balance Sheet Support
• Communication Between the Surety and You

Next, the construction professionals with McKonly and Asbury, LLP presented “Contractors Issues and Best Practices to Not Only Survive But to Thrive in a Period of Uncertainty.” The presentation was led by Scott Heintzelman, Michael Hoffner and David Blain of McKonly and Asbury, LLP. Scott Heintzelman led a detailed discussion regarding “What Just Happened” in the overall economy during the last 2 years. Mr. Heintzelman discussed where the country is going, how long it will take to get to full recovery and the reasons why this slow economy is here for a while. Later Michael Hoffner and David Blain discussed the survey results from the over 300 contractors, suppliers, subcontractors and construction industry service professionals regarding what those professionals felt were the top issues facing the construction industry today.

To view the details of the survey results see the most recent post by the Exuberant Accountant, Scott Heintzelman at http://www.exuberantaccountant.com/2010/10/contractor-issues-and-best-practices-to-not-only-survive-but-to-thrive-in-the-new-normal.html

Finally, Mr. Heintzelman, Mr. Hoffner and Mr. Blain discussed ideas and best practices to survive and thrive during this period of slow growth.

The day ended with an overview of the Mechanics Lien Law by Tom Williams of Reager and Adler, PC. Mr. Williams discussed a number of items regarding the Mechanics Lien Law from definitions of terms to how to file a claim and the requirements to be met to file the claim.

The presentations of the presenters have been attached to this post and can also be accessed under the Events page of Contractors Center Point. For more information on future conference and events, please check back with Contractors Center Point.

 Download Construction Seminar handouts - 10.28.10

McKonly and Asbury, LLP announces Construction Industry Seminar - October 28

The Construction Industry is a vital cog in the development and success of our region. Join us for a seminar focused on updates and matters affecting the Construction Industry taking place on Thursday, October 28, 2010, at the Holiday Inn – New Cumberland (148 Sheraton Drive, New Cumberland, PA).

Registration starts at 12:30pm and the seminar will take place from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. We will also be hosting a networking mixer after the seminar at the hotel's Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant from 4:00pm – 5:30pm.

You'll walk away from this seminar knowing more about key construction issues. McKonly & Asbury will discuss establishing solid financial controls and proposed changes to construction revenue recognition and how it will impact contractors. E.K. McConkey will take the mystery out of surety bond credit analysis and offer an inside look at universal underwriting guidelines. Reager & Adler, PC will focus on getting paid through the assertion of mechanics liens and payment bond claims.

There is a $25 registration fee for this seminar. CPE credits are available. If you are interested in attending, please click here for the registration form.

Please contact Melissa Roberson at mroberson@macpas.com or 717-761-7910 with any questions.

McKonly and Asbury, LLP Holds Spring Construction Conference

On Friday April 23^rd, McKonly and Asbury, LLP with representatives from Murray Risk Management and Insurance and Reager and Adler, PC held the Spring Construction Conference at the Harrisburg/Hershey Sheraton. The day provided a number of educational sessions from tax and finance, insurance, bonding and legal updates for the construction industry.

 

Mr. Joseph Ritchey from Murray Risk Management and Insurance started the day with a general discussion on employment practice liability awareness and wage and hour claims information and analysis. Mr. Ritchey discussed United States Department of Labor statistics as it relates to collection of back wages, violations of overtime security regulations, child labor enforcement and Family and Medical Leave Act enforcement. Mr. Ritchey left the audience with a core policies and practices document that can be used and tailored to a construction companies use on ethics, equal employment opportunity, open door policies, health and safety, confidentiality and other core employment practices and policies.

 

Mr. Jason Skrinak from McKonly and Asbury, LLP provided a construction state and local tax update. Mr. Skrinak discussed a number of changes with state tax regulations as it pertains to capital stock and foreign franchise taxes and corporate net income tax. Mr. Skrinak also discussed the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s tax amnesty program and semi-monthly sales and use tax reporting requirements. Lastly, Mr. Skrinak discussed a number of new tax initiatives that the legislature is investigating as well as a general discussion on the current multi-state tax environment.

 

Mr. Tom Williams of Reager and Adler, PC. led two discussions on employment workplace classification and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Mr. Williams discussed the number of laws that pertain to workplace classification issues, the regulatory bodies involved, evidence to consider when classifying an employee in the workplace and factors used to determine whether a person is an employee. Mr. Williams also discussed ADR and its many intricacies. More specifically, Mr. Williams discussed the federal and state arbitration acts, arbitration procedures, appeal rights and mediation.

 

Mrs. Lydia Mantle of Murray Risk Management and Insurance discussed a number of emerging issues in surety bonding. Mrs. Mantle discussed the view of banks and surety companies in the current economic climate. Mrs. Mantle also discussed federal contracting opportunities from where to find them, how to qualify and how to get started on the bidding process.

 

The last presentation of the day was provided by McKonly and Asbury, LLP on fraud proofing your construction company. Mr. Sam BowerCraft and Mr. Mike Hoffner discussed the factors that cause one to carry out a fraud and how to prevent fraud through a number of different methods and techniques.

 

The seminar was closed out by a panel discussion from representatives from McKonly and Asbury, LLP, Reager and Adler, PC and Murray Risk Management and Insurance in which they discussed a number of topics that are impacting today’s construction community.

 

For more information please contact David B. Blain construction segment leader, at dblain@macpas.com.

Download a copy of the presentation

Register Today - McKonly and Asbury Construction Seminar - April 23rd

The Construction Industry is a vital cog in the development and success of our region. Join us for a seminar focused on updates and matters affecting the Construction Industry, which will feature speakers from McKonly & Asbury, LLP, Murray Risk Management and Insurance, and Reager and Adler, PC.

You'll walk away knowing more about federal and state tax legislation updates, current accounting updates, legal and litigation updates, insurance, bonding and finance updates, and other related topics.

When: Friday, April 23rd from 8:00am – 1:00pm
Where: Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey, 4650 Lindle Road, Harrisburg

Agenda:

• 8:00am - 8:30am: Registration
• 8:30am - 8:35am: Welcome
• 8:35am - 9:10am: Employment Practices Liability Awareness and Wage & Hour Claims - Murray Risk Management and Insurance
• 9:10am - 9:40am: Construction Tax Update: Federal and State Tax as well as update on Sales and Use tax for contractor issues - McKonly & Asbury, LLP
• 9:40am - 10:35am: Contractor versus Employee and ADR - Reager and Adler, PC
• 10:35am - 10:55am: Break
• 10:55am - 11:30am: Emerging Issues in Surety Bonding - Murray Risk Management and Insurance
• 11:30am - 12:05pm: Construction Fraud - McKonly & Asbury, LLP
• 12:05pm - 12:45pm: Construction Roundtable Discussion - Representatives from Reager and Adler, PC, Murray Risk Management and Insurance, and McKonly & Asbury, LLP will discuss emerging issues in the construction industry and its legal ramifications as well as impacts on insurance, banking, and finance.
• 12:45pm - 12:50pm: Final notes and thoughts
• 12:50pm: Adjournment

There is no registration fee for this very informative event.
CPE credits are available.

To register, please contact Lauren Bunce at 717-761-7910
or by emailing lbunce@macpas.com.

Save the Date! McKonly and Asbury, LLP Hosts Construction Seminar – April 23

The Construction Industry is a vital cog in the development and success of our region. Join us for a seminar focused on updates and matters affecting the Construction Industry on Friday, April 23rd from 8:00am – 1:00pm. This seminar will feature speakers from McKonly & Asbury, Murray Risk Management and Insurance, and Reager and Adler, PC who will be discussing key construction matters affecting contractros, subcontractors, suppliers and those involved with the construction industry.

You'll walk away knowing more about federal and state tax legislation updates, current accounting updates, legal and litigation updates, insurance, bonding and finance updates, and other related topics.

When: Friday, April 23rd from 8:00am – 1:00pm

Where: Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey, 4650 Lindle Road, Harrisburg

There is no registration fee for this very informative event. CPE credits are available.

Be sure to save the date and look out for more information to follow on the Contractors Center Point blog at www.contractorscenterpoint.com.

McKonly and Asbury Host First Construction Conference

 On Friday, our firm McKonly & Asbury hosted our construction industry seminar.  We had several of the region's top construction companies in attendance and some of the top experts as presenters.  Based on a conversation with various industry leaders, we attempted to cover some of the pressing issues facing contractors. We also wanted to present some new ideas and strategies in an attempt to challenge assumptions.

One of the top issues facing contractors is sales and use tax.  An important state tax update was presented by Jason Skrinak, CPA, of McKonly & Asbury.  Jason did an excellent job presenting on such topics as: 

• Proposed Pennsylvania Budget update
• State trends in corporate taxation and differences among states
• Sales & Use Taxes - Construction Activities
• Recent Commonwealth court cases

Another topic that we continue to see opportunity for businesses to reduce costs is by using an Insurance Captive.  An excellent presentation was done by Norm Basso of E.K. McConkey.  Norm covered such topics as: 

• Methods for Risk Handling
• Risk Financing
• Captives - An insurance company that provides insurance to and is controlled by the owners or members
• Eligibility Guidelines
• Captive Structure
• Why are Captive Insurance Costs Lower?

Another key tax savings strategy is the proper selection of tax accounting methods. Lisa White, CPA, of McKonly & Asbury presented an update on this key area of construction accounting.  She covered such topics as: