R&D Ledger is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forvis Mazars. 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 services with automation may encounter Forvis Mazars, which offers a proprietary AI-powered platform. This page provides an independent comparison of Forvis Mazars’ 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 Forvis Mazars Publicly Offers
According to Forvis Mazars’ current website, Forvis Mazars provides R&D tax credit services with a team of engineers, attorneys, CPAs, and data scientists. The website describes a proprietary, AI-powered technology platform called R&D Tax Credit Explorer.
Forvis Mazars’ website describes the platform as web-based with no installation required, providing secure document uploads, custom surveys, real-time dashboards, built-in AI for technical documentation, automated QRE computations, and federal/state credit calculations. The website states that engagement teams are partner-led, with an average of 15 years of R&D experience.
Forvis Mazars’ website describes a full suite of services including preliminary feasibility, scoping and planning; full implementation, computation and documentation (including ASC 730 Directive); IRS and state audit defense and administrative appeals; estimated tax payment assistance; technical position development; and ASC 740 tax provision and uncertain tax position analysis. The website describes a global reach spanning more than 100 countries.
Provider and Engagement Model
Forvis Mazars describes itself as a professional services firm with a proprietary AI-powered platform. According to its website, the model involves partner-led engagements using the R&D Tax Credit Explorer platform, with a team of engineers, attorneys, CPAs, and data scientists.
This is a technology-enabled professional-service model: Forvis Mazars’ professionals conduct the R&D credit study using the proprietary platform, with partner-led engagement teams.
How the Process Appears to Work
According to Forvis Mazars’ website, the process involves four steps: (1) feasibility and scoping with a preliminary assessment, (2) data collection using the AI-powered platform with automated information gathering, (3) calculation and documentation with in-depth documentation for audit defensibility, and (4) claim and defense with filing assistance and IRS/state audit defense.
Documentation Approach
Forvis Mazars’ documentation approach, as described on its website, involves the R&D Tax Credit Explorer platform providing secure document uploads, custom surveys, built-in AI for technical documentation, and automated QRE computations. The website states that the platform helps streamline every step from data collection to final deliverables.
Role of Software
Software is central to Forvis Mazars’ model. According to its website, the R&D Tax Credit Explorer is a proprietary, AI-powered, web-based platform with no installation required, providing automated data collection, AI-assisted technical documentation, and automated credit calculations. The platform supports the professional-service engagement.
Role of Human Professionals
Human professionals are central to Forvis Mazars’ model. According to its website, the team includes engineers, attorneys, CPAs, and data scientists, and engagement teams are partner-led with an average of 15 years of R&D experience. The model is professional-service-driven with technology support.
Year-Round vs. Study Considerations
Forvis Mazars describes a four-step engagement process with feasibility, data collection, calculation, and claim/defense. 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 Forvis Mazars against year-round internal documentation software may consider:
- Proprietary platform vs. internal documentation: Forvis Mazars offers the R&D Tax Credit Explorer platform. Does the buyer want a firm with a proprietary platform, or does it want to organize records internally?
- Partner-led engagement: Forvis Mazars describes partner-led teams with 15 years average experience. Does the buyer value this?
- AI-assisted documentation: Forvis Mazars describes built-in AI for technical documentation. Does the buyer value this?
- Full suite: Forvis Mazars describes a full suite including ASC 730, ASC 740, audit defense, and appeals. Does the buyer need these?
- Global reach: Forvis Mazars describes 100+ countries. Does the buyer need multi-country support?
For a broader comparison, see our page on R&D tax credit firm comparison.
When Forvis Mazars’ Model May Make Sense
Forvis Mazars’ model may make sense for a business that:
- wants a firm with a proprietary AI-powered platform for R&D credit studies;
- values partner-led engagement teams with extensive experience;
- needs a full suite including ASC 730, ASC 740, audit defense, and appeals;
- may need multi-country support; and
- prefers a technology-enabled professional-service engagement.
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 Forvis Mazars for the study. The internal records could supply organized project, cost, and evidence data to support the R&D Tax Credit Explorer platform’s data collection. The two approaches are not mutually exclusive: a business might use internal documentation for ongoing recordkeeping and a firm for the study, audit defense, and ASC 740 analysis.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing
- Does the business want a firm with a proprietary AI-powered platform, or does it want to organize records internally?
- How important is partner-led engagement with extensive experience?
- Does the business need a full suite including ASC 730, ASC 740, audit defense, and appeals?
- Does the business need multi-country support?
- How does the firm’s fee structure align with the expected benefit?
Key Takeaway
Forvis Mazars is a professional services firm that provides R&D tax credit services using the proprietary, AI-powered R&D Tax Credit Explorer platform, with partner-led engagement teams of engineers, attorneys, CPAs, and data scientists, offering a full suite of services with global reach. 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 role of the proprietary platform, and a buyer’s choice depends on its preference for technology-enabled service vs. internal documentation. For more on choosing a provider, see our page on how to choose an R&D tax credit provider.