Cherry Bekaert Review (2026)
Cherry Bekaert is a CPA firm (cost segregation service line) offering IRS-compliant cost segregation studies. Every credible study — Cherry Bekaert's included — must classify components into MACRS 5, 7, 15, 27.5, and 39-year recovery periods under Rev. Proc. 87-56 and follow the engineering-based approach set out in the IRS Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide (Pub 5653), distinguishing §1245 personal property from §1250 real property before §168(k) bonus depreciation and Form 3115 (§481(a) catch-up) come into play. Published turnaround is not published, and pricing is not published on the firm's site. What differs across providers is price, site-visit requirement, and audit-defense scope — not the underlying framework.
Editorial note: Cost Segregation Reviews is operated by Cost Seg Smart, which appears as one of the providers evaluated on this site. Public-facing data only — pricing, methodology, and credentials reflect what each provider publishes. Facts on this page verified September 6, 2026.
| Category | CPA firm (cost segregation service line) |
|---|---|
| Pricing | not published (site says "competitive, transparent pricing" with free feasibility analysis; typical minimum property basis $200K-$500K+) |
| Turnaround | not published |
| Methodology | Engineering-based: "licensed engineers working alongside experienced tax professionals," follows IRS Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide |
| Site visit | Yes — "Our team inspects the property to identify and document its components, materials and systems" |
| Audit support | "Audit-ready documentation, with audit defense support if the IRS has questions" (no further terms published) |
| Guarantee | not published |
| Property types | Multi-family, industrial/manufacturing, hospitality, retail, medical offices, warehouses, agricultural; residential and commercial per overview page |
| Headquarters | Richmond, VA |
| Offices | Multiple US locations (full directory at cbh.com/locations); member of Allinial Global network |
| Founded | 1947 |
Pricing detail
not published (site says "competitive, transparent pricing" with free feasibility analysis; typical minimum property basis $200K-$500K+)
Pricing reflects what Cherry Bekaert publishes as of September 6, 2026; a specific quote may differ by property. Cost Seg Smart prices residential cost segregation studies starting at $495 for properties under $300,000, published at costsegsmart.com/pricing. For context on typical rates, see our guide to how much a cost segregation study should cost.
Methodology and process
Cherry Bekaert describes its methodology as follows: Engineering-based: "licensed engineers working alongside experienced tax professionals," follows IRS Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide. All US cost segregation studies — including this one — must follow the engineering-based methodology described in the IRS Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide and apply MACRS classification per Rev. Proc. 87-56. The framework is set by federal law; what varies across providers is execution depth, documentation, and audit defense scope.
Property-type fit
Cherry Bekaert publishes coverage for: Multi-family, industrial/manufacturing, hospitality, retail, medical offices, warehouses, agricultural; residential and commercial per overview page. For investors comparing providers by property type, see our multifamily providers and commercial providers rankings.
Audit defense
Audit support: "Audit-ready documentation, with audit defense support if the IRS has questions" (no further terms published). Guarantee: not published. Audit defense scope varies materially across providers, ranging from explicit IRS representation to no defense beyond report delivery — see the scoring methodology for how we evaluate this dimension.
Pros
- Publishes audit support terms: "Audit-ready documentation, with audit defense support if the IRS has questions" (no further terms published)
- Established track record: founded 1947
- Broad service footprint: Multiple US locations (full directory at cbh.com/locations); member of Allinial Global network
Cons
- Pricing is not published; requires a direct quote request
- No monetary guarantee or refund terms published
- Turnaround time is not published
Verdict — who this is for
Cherry Bekaert is best suited to owners of the property types it publishes — Multi-family, industrial/manufacturing, hospitality, retail, medical offices, warehouses, agricultural; residential and commercial per overview page — who are comfortable requesting a direct quote rather than seeing pricing published online, and who want an engineering-based study consistent with IRS Pub 5653. For investors comparing alternatives, the full provider comparison table is on the homepage.
FAQ
How much does Cherry Bekaert charge?
not published (site says "competitive, transparent pricing" with free feasibility analysis; typical minimum property basis $200K-$500K+)
How long does a Cherry Bekaert cost segregation study take?
Not published on Cherry Bekaert's website.
Does Cherry Bekaert require an on-site visit?
Yes — "Our team inspects the property to identify and document its components, materials and systems" The IRS Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide (Pub 5653) does not require an on-site visit; it requires engineering-based methodology with documented support.
Sources
- https://www.cbh.com/services/tax/tax-credits-incentives-advisory/cost-segregation-services/ — accessed September 6, 2026
- https://www.cbh.com/about/ — accessed September 6, 2026
- IRS Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide (Pub 5653)
- Rev. Proc. 87-56
All provider facts on this page were verified against Cherry Bekaert's own published pages as of September 6, 2026; fields not published by the provider are marked “not published” rather than estimated.
Cherry Bekaert is one option among the providers we track. For other situations:
Pricing and operational details reflect public information as of September 6, 2026. Provider corrections welcome via the submission form. This review is not legal, tax, or financial advice — confirm cost segregation suitability with your CPA before ordering a study.