Modern CFO Pricing: Study Fees and Scope
Review Modern CFO study pricing, fee evidence, inspection scope and CPA handoff. Compare a matched property quote with AE’s published study rate.
What does Modern CFO cost?
Modern CFO publishes residential and small-property fees of $1,200–$2,500, standard commercial $2,500–$6,000, and large or complex $6,000–$12,000. More complex assignments above the bands are individually quoted.
The fee table is based on property type and engineering scope, with building size affecting the work. It describes engineer-signed reports and audit support; confirm the actual property quote, inspection and separately scoped preparation.
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 7, 2026; confirm current availability and fees directly.
Separate the services in your quote
| Cost component | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Property study | Identify buildings, improvements, inspection method and report schedules. |
| Records and analysis | Specify missing records, cost reconciliation and any added technical review. |
| Preparer handoff | Identify draft review, fixed-asset files and accountant question handling. |
| Separate tax work | Define any Form 3115 preparation, returns, amendments or representation. |
Compare Modern CFO fees with AE’s scope
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 a square-foot study rate; compare the actual professional investigation and report scope before comparing totals. Price any additional specialty analysis, forms, filing or representation separately.
A fee comparison using your records
Suppose you own a 16-unit building and are comparing a scope-based commercial fee with a property-value-based quote. Require both proposals to identify investigation, asset schedules and CPA support.
Build two complete quotes for the same property and service scope. Separate study fees from travel, additional buildings, expedited work, audit support and return implementation. A software price is not an engineering-study quote. Lower cost or a larger preliminary deduction estimate alone does not establish a better fit.
AE study-price examples
| Square footage | Published-rate arithmetic |
|---|---|
| 1,500 square feet | $2,000 minimum study price. |
| 3,000 square feet | $3,000 study price at $1 per square foot. |
These are arithmetic examples using AE’s published rate, not quotes for a particular property or estimates of tax savings. Confirm the covered area and study scope. Return preparation, amendments, advisory and other work are separately priced.
Ask for a proposal you can compare
- Which fee band fits the property type and building size?
- What investigation and engineer sign-off are included?
- What schedules, data sources and support reach the CPA?
- Are method-change preparation and return work separately scoped?
Give each firm the same property address, square footage, closing statement, placed-in-service date, improvement records and existing depreciation schedules. Identify the owner entity, return preparer and deadline. Request a written scope for inspection, engineering analysis, report schedules, support and separately billed implementation. Send sensitive records through the firm’s secure intake process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Modern CFO fees publicly available?
Modern CFO publishes residential and small-property fees of $1,200–$2,500, standard commercial $2,500–$6,000, and large or complex $6,000–$12,000. More complex assignments above the bands are individually quoted.
Does the Modern CFO fee include filing and implementation?
Ask whether required Form 3115 preparation, Section 481(a) work and return integration are included or separately available. A signed engineering report is not by itself an engagement to prepare or file tax forms.
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.
- Modern CFO directory source
- Modern CFO — Modern CFO published engineering fee bands
- AE fees and scope
- AE comparison methodology
Researched November 7, 2026 by AE Tax Advisors. No customer star rating or universal winner is assigned.
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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.