R&D Ledger is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cherry Bekaert. This independent comparison is based on publicly available information and is provided for educational purposes.
Last competitor information verified: August 2026
Businesses evaluating R&D tax credit study providers may encounter Cherry Bekaert, a CPA-led firm with proprietary technology tools. This page provides an independent comparison of Cherry Bekaert’s publicly described model and the year-round internal documentation approach represented by R&D Ledger. For a broader framework, see our page on how to choose an R&D tax credit provider.
What Cherry Bekaert Publicly Offers
According to Cherry Bekaert’s current website, Cherry Bekaert provides R&D tax credit services with a CPA-led team and a structured, tech-enabled process. The website describes a proprietary technology tool for surveying R&D activities and allocating qualified research expenses.
Cherry Bekaert’s website describes a process involving scoping (gathering information, collecting financial data, identifying QREs, conducting interviews, estimating credits, and preparing a work plan) and performing the study (accumulating financial data, organizing documentation, interviewing technical SMEs, analyzing expenses, preparing methodology memoranda, calculating SRE capitalization, and delivering IRS audit-ready documentation).
Cherry Bekaert’s website describes a no-contingent-fee approach, stating that the firm offers a tailored, transparent approach with no contingent fees, focused on accuracy, defensibility, and long-term value, often at a lower cost than contingent fee providers. The website describes value-added benefits including complimentary analysis, IRS defense services, R&D credit consultation, analysis of payroll tax liability usage, and identification of other tax credit benefits.
Provider and Engagement Model
Cherry Bekaert describes itself as a CPA-led firm with a tech-enabled process. According to its website, the model involves professional-service engagements with proprietary technology tools, no contingent fees, and a focus on accuracy and defensibility. The firm provides a complimentary R&D credit assessment.
This is a CPA-led professional-service model: Cherry Bekaert’s professionals conduct the R&D credit study using proprietary technology tools, with a no-contingent-fee pricing structure.
How the Process Appears to Work
According to Cherry Bekaert’s website, the process involves two phases: scoping (gathering information, identifying QREs, conducting interviews, estimating credits) and performing the study (accumulating data, organizing documentation, interviewing SMEs, analyzing expenses, preparing memoranda, calculating SRE capitalization, and delivering audit-ready documentation).
Documentation Approach
Cherry Bekaert’s documentation approach, as described on its website, involves organizing documentation for qualified research activities, preparing methodology and interview memoranda demonstrating compliance with Section 41, calculating SRE Expenditures capitalization, and delivering IRS audit-ready documentation using proprietary technology tools.
Role of Software
Software is part of Cherry Bekaert’s model. According to its website, Cherry Bekaert uses proprietary technology tools to survey R&D activities and allocate QREs. The technology supports the professional-service engagement.
Role of Human Professionals
Human professionals are central to Cherry Bekaert’s model. According to its website, Cherry Bekaert has a CPA-led team with deep technical knowledge and experience. The model is professional-service-driven with technology support.
Year-Round vs. Study Considerations
Cherry Bekaert describes a two-phase study process (scoping and performing). This is oriented toward a study engagement rather than continuous year-round documentation by the internal team. Year-round internal documentation, as represented by R&D Ledger, involves the business’s own team organizing project, technical, cost, and evidence records throughout the year for professional review. For more on this distinction, see our page on year-round R&D documentation vs. annual study.
What a Buyer Should Compare
A buyer evaluating Cherry Bekaert against year-round internal documentation software may consider:
- CPA-led firm vs. internal documentation: Cherry Bekaert is a CPA-led firm with proprietary tools. Does the buyer want a firm to conduct the study, or does it want to organize records internally?
- No contingent fees: Cherry Bekaert describes a no-contingent-fee approach. How does this compare to contingent-fee providers?
- Proprietary technology: Cherry Bekaert describes proprietary tools for surveying R&D activities. Does the buyer value this?
- SRE capitalization: Cherry Bekaert describes calculating SRE (Section 174) capitalization. Does the buyer need Section 174 support?
- Complimentary assessment: Cherry Bekaert describes a complimentary analysis. Does the buyer value this?
For a broader comparison, see our page on R&D tax credit firm comparison.
When Cherry Bekaert’s Model May Make Sense
Cherry Bekaert’s model may make sense for a business that:
- wants a CPA-led firm with proprietary technology tools to conduct the study;
- prefers a no-contingent-fee pricing structure;
- needs Section 41 and Section 174 (SRE) capitalization support;
- values a complimentary initial assessment; and
- wants IRS defense services included.
When Year-Round Internal R&D Tracking May Make Sense
Year-round internal R&D documentation may make sense for a business that:
- wants to organize project, technical, cost, and evidence records throughout the year internally;
- already has a CPA who handles filing and needs organized records to support that work;
- prefers continuous documentation rather than a study-cycle engagement; and
- wants a documentation workspace that can support any CPA or consultant.
For more, see our page on best R&D tax credit consulting firms.
Can the Two Approaches Coexist?
A business could maintain year-round project and evidence records in a documentation workspace and also engage a firm like Cherry Bekaert for the study. The internal records could supply organized project, cost, and evidence data to support the firm’s proprietary tools and analysis. The two approaches are not mutually exclusive: a business might use internal documentation for ongoing recordkeeping and a firm for the study, SRE capitalization, and IRS defense.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing
- Does the business want a CPA-led firm with proprietary tools, or does it want to organize records internally?
- How does the no-contingent-fee approach compare to contingent-fee providers?
- Does the business need Section 174 (SRE) capitalization support?
- Does the business value a complimentary initial assessment?
- How does the firm’s fee structure align with the expected benefit?
Key Takeaway
Cherry Bekaert is a CPA-led firm that provides R&D tax credit studies using proprietary technology tools, with a no-contingent-fee approach, complimentary assessment, IRS defense services, and Section 41 and Section 174 (SRE) capitalization support. Year-round internal R&D documentation, as represented by R&D Ledger, involves the business’s own team organizing project, technical, cost, and evidence records throughout the year for professional review. The two approaches differ in who conducts the study and the fee structure, and a buyer’s choice depends on its preference for consulting vs. internal documentation. For more on choosing a provider, see our page on how to choose an R&D tax credit provider.