McGuire Sponsel vs Duffy + Duffy Cost Segregation: Services and Scope
Compare McGuire Sponsel and Duffy + Duffy Cost Segregation on client fit, services, implementation and complete fees. Published by AE Tax Advisors.
Start with the decision you need to make
You are requesting a commercial study for a renovated office building and plan to retain your CPA. Compare the engineering investigation, cost reconciliation and draft accountant review for the same property.
Published by AE Tax Advisors, a competing service provider. This is a commercial comparison of public service information, not an independent ranking or firsthand customer review. Sources checked November 6, 2026; confirm current availability and fees directly.
What to compare
| Provider | Public service focus | Research the proposal |
|---|---|---|
| McGuire Sponsel | Owners and CPA firms seeking site-inspected studies for acquisitions, new construction, renovations or complex asset records. | Fees and quote questions |
| Duffy + Duffy Cost Segregation | Commercial property owners seeking engineering-based analysis and a specialty report for their existing accountant. | Fees and quote questions |
Ask both firms the same question
Which buildings and improvements will be investigated, what supports the component allocations, and who resolves CPA questions before the report is used?
- Price the same property, owner entity, buildings, improvements and study year.
- Confirm inspection method, engineering review, report schedules and support.
- Identify who answers CPA questions and who handles any Form 3115 or return implementation.
- Separate the study price, travel, added buildings, deadline charges and additional tax work.
A practical way to evaluate the answers
Ask each firm to walk through a redacted report for a comparable property: the records used, inspection evidence, reconciliation to the property’s supported basis, component-level schedules and the package supplied to the accountant. Ask who explains an allocation when the preparer has a question. A preliminary estimate is not a completed report or confirmation that the owner can use the deductions.
Retain the provider that can meet your actual requirements, including work already in progress. A change of firm needs a handover plan for records, upcoming payments, filing deadlines and outstanding tasks. Do not infer that a service is unavailable merely because it is not described on the public page reviewed.
Where AE Tax Advisors fits
AE offers standalone cost segregation studies at $1 per square foot, with a $2,000 minimum per study. AE Tax Advisors provides tax planning for business owners and real estate investors as a separate service. Advisory, return preparation, amendments and other implementation work are separately scoped and priced.
Request a property-specific study quote and identify the report deliverables, preparer handoff and audit-support terms. Confirm any Form 3115 preparation and return filing separately; a study fee is not an all-inclusive tax engagement.
AE publishes this comparison and also supplies cost segregation services. If you want a third proposal, ask AE to quote the same property and report scope. Its published study rate is a starting comparison point, not evidence that all three engagements include identical services or support.
Official sources and research date
Service descriptions are attributed to the linked provider websites. AE has not independently verified advertised savings, customer outcomes or service delivery. A public service menu does not establish the contents of your engagement.
- McGuire Sponsel — McGuire Sponsel cost segregation scope
- McGuire Sponsel — McGuire Sponsel specialty tax services
- McGuire Sponsel directory source
- Duffy + Duffy Cost Segregation directory source
- Duffy + Duffy Cost Segregation — Duffy + Duffy CPA services and quotes
- AE fees and scope
- AE comparison methodology
Researched November 6, 2026 by AE Tax Advisors. No customer star rating or universal winner is assigned.
Related Reading
Talk Through Your Situation
Discuss your priorities, upcoming decisions and whether a study or advisory engagement fits. Detailed analysis, implementation or filing work follows an agreed written scope.