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Cannabis Accounting, Tax & Business Advisory Services

Your Steady Guide in an Ever-Changing Landscape

Few industries are both as dynamic and rapidly transforming as the cannabis industry. Business owners in this space are met with both great opportunities, as well as genuine uncertainty surrounding regulatory requirements, complex compliance tax planning and technical accounting matters.

How Does Cherry Bekaert Help?

While state laws and reporting requirements fluctuate and impact this booming and relatively new business industry, our professionals maintain acute awareness of regulations put in place and how they affect our clients’ businesses. For more than 70 years, the Firm has been laser-focused on serving high-growth companies in a variety of industry verticals, and we approach the cannabis space in the same way. We are in the business of adding value to our cannabis and CBD clients, not simply performing compliance and advisory services. Our goal is to bring ideas, improvements and efficiencies that contribute to your success.

Accounting and Advisory Firm Serving the Cannabis Industry

Whether you function as a small operation, a single-state operator (SSO), multi-state operator (MSO), or provide ancillary services to the cannabis industry, Cherry Bekaert offers a diverse suite of accounting, tax and business advisory services to help you meet your growth objectives. From seed to sale, our trusted advisors, extensive resources and global reach uniquely position us to help your organization with initial structuring decisions; valuation, due diligence and growth capital needs; tax minimization strategies; outsourced accounting options; and technology and business advisory services, all designed to help you navigate a complex and dynamic regulatory environment.

Why Choose Cherry Bekaert?

Our nationally recognized cannabis accounting and consulting team has supported dozens of large cannabis companies with a full range of services. We have significant talent focused on the cannabis industry, advising companies while reporting on the U.S. and Canadian exchanges (in U.S. GAAP and IFRS) as well as providing risk advisory, internal audit, tax, and transformation services to the largest companies (both public and private) in the industry. Beyond compliance, our trusted advisors have helped cannabis companies transform their businesses with innovative solutions for growth.

Ranked among the largest accounting, audit, tax and advisory firms in the U.S., Cherry Bekaert serves clients across all 50 states and internationally. Thousands of clients look to Cherry Bekaert’s accountants and advisors for innovative and professional guidance on important operational and financial matters that advance their business goals.

“Whether it’s cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, or dispensaries, we understand cannabis. We assist plant-touching companies with a suite of tailored services from accounting, financial reporting, and internal control needs, to accessing public markets. As strategic challenges shift, let us be your guide your forward.”
Chase Wright, Accounting Advisory Leader

Top Accounting Services for Your Growing Cannabis Business

  • SOX and Internal Controls

    Going Public.

    Many cannabis companies go public as emerging growth companies and must assess management controls under SOX 404(a). However, we have seen our cannabis clients’ market cap increase rapidly to a size where management and the external auditor are required to assess all internal controls over financial reporting (under SOX 404(b)).

    We recognize you have a business to run, so our methodology focuses on delivering what matters in a cost-efficient, turn-key manner. Scaling your SOX program is critical. We work with our clients to create solutions that are risk-based and practical to not only comply with standards, but also provide sustainability in core business processes as your company grows.

  • Tax Credits and Incentives Advisory

    Optimizing Deductions.

    Section 280E currently limits the amount of federal credits cannabis clients can utilize. However, depending upon the state tax laws and your legal entity structure as a “plant-touching” company, you pay plenty of tax. Therefore, you should consider applicable credits and other incentives where beneficial.

    We help clients identify missed credits and establish advantageous methods of accounting for optimizing deductions. Our team of specialists help clients realize the following value-add opportunities (as examples):

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    • Research & Development Credit
    • Cost Segregation Plus Studies
    • Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings §179D
    • Fixed Asset Review Analysis/TPR
    • Employee Retention Credits
    • Meals & Entertainment Study
  • Digital and Business Process Services

    Leverage Data to Achieve Efficiency.

    We have seen it. As cannabis companies grow organically and through acquisition, significant efforts are needed to drive operating efficiencies. Our Cannabis Advisory practice helps clients leverage data to achieve efficiencies from cultivation to dispensaries. Certain technology providers will not engage with plant-touching entities. Nevertheless, the technology environment continues to mature and offer products better suited for mid- and large-cap cannabis companies. At Cherry Bekaert, we believe digitally enabled organizations can better predict, innovate, perform, and compete, and we tailor our solutions for the strategies deployed in plant-touching companies.

  • Business Valuation

    Accounting for Multiple Revenues.

    Transactions are abundant in the cannabis space, and more are eminent. Most cannabis companies are being valued based on multiples of revenue rather than a more traditional valuation method, multiple of EBITDA. Revenue multiples vary widely based on the state and vertical in which the company operates. While there is some movement underway to begin to utilize EBITDA multiples in assessing underlying value, the valuation focus remains on revenue and top-line growth.

    Our team continues to assist Canadian and U.S. registrants who have IFRS and U.S. GAAP reporting needs. While plant-touching valuations are similar in many ways to any business, industry factors must be considered, such as cost of capital in the industry, Section 280E tax impacts, significant regulations, rapid industry changes, and cash flow projection uncertainties.

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    In 2020, Cherry Bekaert was named Valuation Firm of the Year at the 18th Annual M&A Advisor Awards. In the same year, a substantial portion of our valuation revenues was earned serving cannabis clients.

Other Cannabis Accounting, Tax & Advisory Services

We offer a full spectrum of cannabis accounting, financial, and consulting services that give cannabis and hemp businesses the insight they need to grow and succeed.

Tax

 

“As a participant in one of the most fluid industries with uncertain regulation and complex reporting requirements, you need an advisor with demonstrated success in helping fast-growth companies thrive, pivoting when it’s necessary, but always keeping an eye on your company’s growth goals.”
Chris Rux, Partner, Assurance Services

Cannabis Accounting, Tax & Business Advisory Services

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Christopher F. Rux

Partner, Assurance Services

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Thought Leadership

Tax Credits Now Available for California-Based Cannabis Companies

Learn more about the High-Road Cannabis Tax Credit and Cannabis Equity Tax Credit available now...

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Driving SOX Compliance: Cannabis Licensed Operators Embarking on a SEC Compliance Journey

Explore the challenges of SOX compliance in the cannabis industry and how effective internal controls...

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Optimizing Cannabis Compliance Costs: Strategies for Success in a Highly Regulated Industry

Reduce compliance costs in the highly regulated cannabis industry. Learn how to optimize your compliance...

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5 Key Issues Affecting the Cannabis Industry in 2022

Listen to the Latest Podcast Now! Five Issues Affecting the Cannabis Industry in 2022...

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Capitalizing on Risks & Returns: Risk Management Considerations for Cannabis Banking

Contributors: Mike Dempsey, Senior Manager, Risk & Accounting Advisory Services, Financial Services Risk Advisory Leader...

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Federal Income Tax Rules for Cannabis Businesses

Listen to the Tax Beat podcast to learn about the tax laws that have an...

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Accounting Services for the Cannabis Industry

Our nationally recognized cannabis accounting and consulting team supports cannabis and CBD companies with a...

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Digital Transformation – Driving Cannabis Supply Chain Value

Discover how digital transformation can benefit your cannabis business by adding insight to supply chain...

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Ledgers and Law: Roadblocks Facing the Cannabis Industry

Listen to our podcast for the cannabis industry to learn avenues that companies in the...

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