Ericksen Krentel CPAs and Consultants

09/03/2026

Most of a construction job's profit is decided before the first day on site, in the estimate.

Estimating on experience without solid historical cost data is where contractors take on the most risk. We'd add that the historical data is only as good as the job costing behind it. If labor burden and equipment time aren't charged to jobs accurately, better estimating software just gets you to the wrong number faster.

https://buff.ly/5cZqcZq

Consistently estimating accurately builds confidence, speeds up bidding and positions your company to win more profitable projects.

09/02/2026

Our team had a great time at our latest EK Social with bowling, arcade games, plenty of food and drinks, and a little friendly competition!

Thanks to everyone who came out for this fun evening, and a special congratulations to our winning bowling team: Josh, Franziska, Lauren & Ally! 🏆🎳

We work hard, but we also know how to play.

09/01/2026

Ever wonder who checks the people who check your numbers?

CPA firms that perform audits go through an independent peer review every three years. Ericksen Krentel's team is certified to conduct those reviews for other firms around the country.

Reasonable thing to know about whoever is handling your financials.

Learn more about our Peer Review services at https://buff.ly/flzlUwv

08/26/2026

Jeremy Thibodeaux and Tani Budde had a great time presenting at LCPA's Accounting & Auditing Conference this month, talking risk assessment and internal controls with CPAs from across the state.

Thanks to the Society of Louisiana CPAs for having us!

08/25/2026

Quick one for the nonprofit folks: if your "volunteers" ever get a stipend, a gift card, or any kind of cash thank-you for their time, the IRS may not see them as volunteers anymore.

The rules run on federal tax code, not the labor-law test most boards assume applies. If your organization compensates volunteers in any way, here's what to check: https://buff.ly/YsP3xCP

Questions about your specific situation? Reach out.

Tax-exempt organizations often refer to individuals who assist with various activities related to the exempt purpose of the organization as “volunteers.” However, many organizations may be surprised to learn that these individuals are actually “unpaid employees.” Even more surprisingly, if t...

08/25/2026

Beneficial ownership reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act is officially, permanently gone for U.S. companies. FinCEN's final rule took effect August 14, closing out a requirement that had businesses tracking deadlines and filings for the past two years.

Previously submitted information is being removed from FinCEN's database automatically, no action needed from the businesses that filed it. The one exception is foreign companies registered to do business in the U.S., which still have to report on their foreign owners.

Details from the Treasury Department: https://buff.ly/xjK1WBc

Have questions about how this affects your business? We're here to help.

Will Delete Information Previously Reported by U.S. Persons WASHINGTON––Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is issuing a final rule that permanently removes the requirement for U.S. companies and U.S. persons to report beneficial ownership...

08/25/2026

Big milestone for Dan Sinclair in our Baton Rouge office: he just passed all four sections of the CPA exam. That's a serious amount of studying on top of a full workload.

Congrats, Dan. Well earned!

08/24/2026

Sand is one of those materials nobody thinks about until the cost jumps, and right now it's jumping. Construction sand and gravel prices are up 7% year over year, well above the usual 2-3% range, and Baton Rouge Business Report covered why this week: https://buff.ly/mVXnGE7

If your bids are still priced off last year's material costs, it's worth a second look.

Sand is the most extracted material on Earth and is essential for concrete and construction, but the world is using river sand faster than nature can replace it, Inc. reports. Global consumption has reached about 55 billion tons per year, and construction-related demand could increase by as much as....

08/21/2026

We are proud to introduce Kelli Chandler, CPA!

Before joining our Accounting Services team, Kelli spent nearly 30 years running finance operations, including Controller, CFO, and Executive Director roles at Louisiana public entities. She now works with clients as an outsourced Controller and CFO. When she tells a business owner how to untangle a messy month-end, she has been the person on the other side of it.

When she's not acting as a strategic advisor to our clients, you can find Kelli cheering on LSU and the Saints, watching live music, or enjoying a good book.

Learn more about Kelli at https://buff.ly/do2e0ZS

08/20/2026

Miss this back in May? The IRS updated the 2027 numbers for high-deductible health plans. HSA contribution limits are up to $4,500 single / $9,000 family, and the minimum deductible to stay HSA-compatible is climbing too.

Nothing changes until January 1, 2027, but plan documents and payroll need to catch up before then. Details here: https://buff.ly/NfxfEKR

Questions about your specific plan? Give us a call.

The long-awaited health savings account and high-deductible health plan figures for 2027 were announced May 29. Find out more.