Articulon News and Announcements

HPG Expands Corporate and International Tax Team

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Matthew LitzHughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP, one of the largest CPA firms headquartered and staffed in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, announces today that Matthew Litz, CPA has joined the corporate and international tax team.

Litz has eight years of experience in federal tax planning. In addition to being a CPA, Litz holds his Juris Doctor from Florida State University and his Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University.

“Matthew’s legal background and experience working with technology, manufacturing and service businesses will be a valuable addition to our firm,” says Tim Gupton, HPG partner and executive committee member. “Our clients will benefit greatly from his knowledge of the federal tax code, as well as his ability to interpret the tax laws of other countries.”

Litz is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the North Carolina Association of CPAs. In addition, he is active in the North Carolina and American Bar Associations.

About Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP (HPG): HPG is one of the largest CPA firms headquartered and staffed in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, as ranked by the Triangle Business Journal. More than just an accounting firm, HPG assists clients in looking beyond the bottom linesm by being the right people, right value and right firmsm to achieve each client’s definition of success. HPG is a member of CPAmerica International and affiliated with the Crowe Horwath International alliances of firms, with offices worldwide. The firm leverages this to provide national and global accounting resources to its clients. HPG offers a wide array of business accounting, auditing, corporate tax and management advisory services. Specialties include serving owner-managed, investor-backed technology and life science organizations, healthcare services, real estate development, manufacturing and distribution businesses, as well as providing ERISA audits, family wealthcare services and Sarbanes-Oxley internal audit services.

HPG has remained committed to advancing a thriving Triangle community since its founding in 1983. In recognition, the firm is the recipient of two Pinnacle Business Awards by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce: the 2009 Large Entrepreneurial Business Award and the 2010 Integrity in Business Award. Additionally, HPG has been certified Green Plus by the Institute for Sustainable Development for integrating environmental sustainability efforts into company culture, and has been named one of the top 100 Best Accounting Firms to Work For in the country by Accounting Today. Visit www.hpg.com for more information.

FMI Releases Q2-2012 Construction Outlook Report

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FMI, the largest provider of management consulting and investment banking to the engineering and construction industry, releases the second quarter 2012 Construction Outlook Report. FMI’s forecast calls for 3% growth for construction put in place (CPIP) by the end of 2012 and another 7% in 2013 for a total of $882.4 billion. This is $92.6 billion more than the lows of 2011.

Despite the constant confusion of news from Europe and uncertainty and inaction in the U.S. Congress, there are some positive signs in the economy. As one might expect, improving housing construction is helping to lead the way, especially multifamily housing. However, power construction is another strong point, and even commercial construction will show signs of rising from its slumber. Nonetheless, slow growth may be even more challenging than large market drops or boom times, because it requires improved management, precision market research and creative business development.

Residential Construction is coming back lead by 32% growth in multifamily housing.

In Nonresidential Construction the forecast is mixed with healthcare and manufac­turing showing the most positive signs of growth.

  • Lodging CPIP is expected to grow 4% and rebound somewhat to 7% and 8% in 2013 and 2014.
  • Office construction should be 4% by the end of 2012 and improve to around 6% for 2013 through 2014.
  • Commercial construction is beginning to grow again. FMI expects 5% growth in CPIP this year, followed by 8% growth in 2013 to around $49 billion.
  • Healthcare construction is expected to only rise 3% in 2012, that will strengthen to double digits by 2015, achieving record highs around $52.6 billion.
  • Education construction will have only a 1% increase in CPIP in 2012 and a slight rise of 2% in 2013.
  • Religious construction will be flat in 2012, with some revival in 2013 to 6% growth at $4.3 billion.
  • Public safety construction will be flat in 2012, but will the grow 6% in 2013 to $4.3 billion.
  • Amusement and recreation construction will climb 8% to $17.4 billion in 2013.
  • Transportation construction will grow 3% in 2012 and to 5% through 2015.
  • Communications construction will experience steady growth of 4% to 6% through 2015 with 2012 ending up around $18.5 billion.
  • Manufacturing construction is expected to rise 3% in 2012 and show steady increases to 2015.
  • Power-related construction is forecasted to have a 10% rise for 2012 and another 10% in 2013 to $108 billion.
  • Highway CPIP will drop 2% in 2012 and grow just 1% in 2013 to reach $77.7 billion or back near 2007 levels.
  • Sewage and waste disposal CPIP is expected to be around $23.9 billion.
  • Water supply is beginning to grow, but will gain only 2% in 2012 and 3% in 2013 to reach $14.7 billion.
  • Conservation and development growth is expected at 2% in 2012 and demonstrate slow, steady progress through 2015.

To download a copy of the full report, click here. For reprint permission or to schedule an interview with the author, please contact Sarah Avallone at 919.785.9221 or savallone@fminet.com.

About FMI FMI is the largest provider of management consulting, investment banking and research to the engineering and construction industry. We work in all segments of the industry providing clients with value-added business solutions, including:

  • Strategy Development
  • Market Research and Business Development
  • Leadership and Talent Development
  • Project and Process Improvement
  • Mergers, Acquisitions and Financial Consulting
  • Compensation Data and Consulting

Founded by Dr. Emol A. Fails in 1953, FMI has professionals in offices across the U.S. FMI delivers innovative, customized solutions to contractors; construction materials producers; manufacturers and suppliers of building materials and equipment; owners and developers; engineers and architects; utilities; and construction industry trade associations. FMI is an advisor you can count on to build and maintain a successful business, from your leadership to your site managers. Visit www.fminet.com.

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Triangle Office Leasing Guide Now Available

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Tacquire 2012 Leasing GuideTacquire (TEE’-ә-kwīr’), has released its 2012 Office Leasing Guide. The guide provides commercial real estate professionals with an up-to-date snapshot of available office properties in the Triangle, including average rental rates, vacant space broken out by submarket, and where commercial real estate companies rank in terms of market share. It is available for download by clicking here.

“Tacquire has created the leasing guide as a tool for the Triangle’s brokerage community to stay on top of the most recent market information,” says Elizabeth Gates, Tacquire board president. “Doing so will help these professionals provide the guidance their clients need to capitalize on opportunities in the Triangle’s robust business climate.”

In total, more than 1,750 buildings with nearly 11 million square feet of office space is available in the market served. The 16-page guide includes the following:

  • A listing of 35 companies offering the largest amount of office space within the greater Raleigh-Durham area
  • A review of current quarter statistics for Class A, B and C properties within individual market areas of the greater Raleigh-Durham area
  • Individual property listing information for buildings larger than 10,000 square feet in each of 15 market areas

Formed in 2010 by TCAR, the Triangle Association of Commercial REALTORS®, Tacquire serves a 14-county area that includes the Triangle. The organization provides members with a data portal to manage commercial real estate listings, exchange market information and research property data, and allows the public to search listed properties, a member directory and view area maps.

About Tacquire: In response to the needs of its members, the Triangle Commercial Association of REALTORS® formed Tacquire in 2010. The company provides a real-time total access commercial real estate exchange. This dynamic property-centric portal is affordable and easy to use. Supported by a full-time researcher, members are able to input listings one time and distribute them across multiple platforms. Members can also add and review historical data on properties, research property records, tax data and GIS information, as well as search listings, receive daily hot sheets and market properties through broadcast e-mails. Using the same technology as National Association of REALTORS®,Tacquire provides the public the ability to search commercial property listings, the member directory, event calendar and news, as well as access property maps, demographics information, aerial views, photos and property information. For more information, contact Kim Brennan at 919-228-2588 or visit www.tacquire.com.

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HPG Certified as Green Plus For a Third Year

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Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP, one of the largest CPA firms headquartered and staffed in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, announces today that, for a third year, it has been certified Green Plus™ by the Institute for Sustainable Development. HPG was the first accounting firm ever to earn this recognition.

Through the Green Plus program, businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout the United States learn best practices in the areas of triple bottom line sustainability: people, planet and performance. The program gives employers affordable, practical support in succeeding financially while being good to their environment, employees and community. Annual certification requires a review of organizational policies, procedures and the firm’s green action plan. In addition to certification, the firm received a diagnostic report on its sustainability performance, strengths, weaknesses and areas of opportunity.

“Green Plus plays an important role in the Cleantech practice group,” says Tim Naylor, HPG partner and Cleantech lead. “Understanding the triple bottom line concept by living it provides a unique perspective in how to provide the best counsel to our clients in clean and green industries.”

The growing Cleantech practice group has 15 employees and provides industry knowledge and the financial experience necessary for business success. HPG is a supporter of the CleanLinks Forum by the CED. The forum offers practical business advice to cleantech entrepreneurs.

About Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP (HPG): HPG is one of the largest CPA firms headquartered and staffed in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, as ranked by the Triangle Business Journal. More than just an accounting firm, HPG assists clients in looking beyond the bottom linesm by being the right people, right value and right firmsm to achieve each client’s definition of success. HPG is a member of CPAmerica International and affiliated with the Crowe Horwath International alliances of firms, with offices worldwide. The firm leverages this to provide national and global accounting resources to its clients. HPG offers a wide array of business accounting, auditing, corporate tax and management advisory services. Specialties include serving owner-managed, investor-backed technology and life science organizations, healthcare services, real estate development, manufacturing and distribution businesses, as well as providing ERISA audits, family wealthcare services and Sarbanes-Oxley internal audit services.

HPG has remained committed to advancing a thriving Triangle community since its founding in 1983. In recognition, the firm is the recipient of two Pinnacle Business Awards by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce: the 2009 Large Entrepreneurial Business Award and the 2010 Integrity in Business Award. Additionally, HPG has been certified Green Plus by the Institute for Sustainable Development for integrating environmental sustainability efforts into company culture, and has been named one of the top 100 Best Accounting Firms to Work For in the country by Accounting Today. Visit www.hpg.com for more information.

Stan Swinson Teaches CPE Course for Accountants

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Raleigh-based Legacy Wealth Strategies, announces today that associate Stan Swinson, ChFC, CLU recently presented three hours of continuing professional education to accountants at James A. Lucas and Company, LLP. The half-day program was broken into two segments. The first session was titled “Executive Benefits for Key Employees.” The second session was titled “Distribution Planning Using Inherited IRAs and Inherited Annuities.”

“Stan was very informative and the content he provided will help us counsel our clients more effectively,” says Jim Lucas, Jr., managing partner, James A. Lucas and Company, LLP .

Swinson is a 20-year industry veteran, spending the previous eight with Legacy Wealth Strategies. He works with business owners and successful individuals to develop financial strategies through planning, insurance, and investment advisory services. His areas of focus include investment, retirement, business-succession and estate planning, as well as life, long term care and disability insurance. Swinson holds a Certificate in Retirement Planning from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.

About Legacy Wealth Strategies:
Legacy Wealth Strategies focuses on financial planning and wealth management strategies, business succession planning and risk management services. Formed in 2004, the firm strives to provide forward-thinking and cost-effective financial strategies to its clients, helping them toward reaching their financial goals and achieving financial independence. Associates of Legacy Wealth Strategies offer securities through AXA Advisors, LLC (NY, NY 212-314-4600), member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory products and services offered through AXA Advisors, LLC, an investment advisor registered with the SEC. Annuity and insurance products offered through AXA Network, LLC and its insurance agency subsidiaries. Legacy Wealth Strategies is not a registered investment advisor and is not owned or operated by AXA Advisors or AXA Network.

Legacy Wealth Strategies and the AXA Advisors Raleigh branch are located at 3201 Beechleaf Court, Suite 450, Raleigh, NC 27604. Financial services available to individuals and business owners through AXA Advisors, LLC include: strategies and products for financial protection and investments; asset allocation, college, retirement, business and estate planning strategies; life insurance, annuity and investment products. Visit www.legacyws.com or call 919.341.1639 for more information.

About AXA Equitable:
In business since 1859, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (NY, NY) is a leading financial protection company and one of the nation’s premier providers of life insurance, annuity, and financial products and services. The company’s products and services are distributed to individuals and business owners through its retail distribution channel, AXA Advisors, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC) and to the financial services market through its wholesale distribution channel, AXA Distributors, LLC.

Find AXA Equitable on Facebook and Twitter or visit the company’s multi-media newsroom The Source @ AXA Equitable. AXA Equitable, a subsidiary of AXA Financial Inc., is part of the global AXA Group, a worldwide leader in financial protection strategies and wealth management. “AXA Group” refers to AXA, a French holding company for an international group of insurance and financial services companies together with its direct and indirect consolidated subsidiaries. For more information, visit www.axa-equitable.com.

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