In today’s economy, companies expanding into the United States face a unique combination of opportunity and complexity. Whether entering the market for the first time or scaling existing operations, CEOs, CFOs, and COOs are increasingly turning to strategic, year-round CPAs not just a tax preparer to guide growth decisions with precision.

The role of the accountant has fundamentally changed. Businesses no longer want someone who simply files the return. They expect a partner who anticipates risks, identifies tax efficient opportunities, and helps shape financial strategy at every stage of expansion.

At Freese, Peralez & Associates (FPA), we see this shift every day. More companies are searching for expertise across construction, manufacturing, and real estate development, particularly when expanding operations into Texas or the broader U.S. market. And with the industry facing a significant retirement wave among senior accounting professionals, true technical mastery is becoming harder to find.

This guide outlines why choosing the right CPA isn’t just beneficial but a strategic imperative for mid-market businesses entering or growing in the United States.

Why the Right CPA Matters When Entering the U.S. Market

The U.S. tax system is complex, decentralized, and constantly changing. Companies expanding into the U.S. must navigate:

• Differing federal, state, and local tax regimes
• Multi-state nexus rules
• Payroll, sales tax, and employment requirements
• Entity selection and long-term structure
• Treatment of inbound investment and foreign ownership
• Complexities of construction, manufacturing, and real estate transactions
• Industry-specific tax incentives and credits
  

In this environment, the CPA becomes a mission-critical strategic advisor, someone who guides decisions before they happen, not after.



More international businesses and domestic growth companies now view accountants as:

• Growth partners
• Risk mitigators
• Planning architects
• Tax efficiency strategists
• Financial intelligence providers
• Cross-border and multi-state specialists
  

The U.S. market rewards smart planning. A CPA with the right expertise can accelerate expansion while reducing unnecessary tax exposure.

A Growing Concern: Expertise Is Becoming Harder to Find

Across Texas and the U.S., we hear a recurring theme:

“Our previous CPA retired, and we can’t find anyone with the same expertise.”
“Tax laws keep changing and our accountant can’t keep up.”
“We need someone who understands our industry, not just basic tax returns.”

This is no surprise. The accounting industry is undergoing a retirement cliff, with thousands of highly experienced CPAs leaving the profession while fewer new candidates enter the pipeline.

For growth-focused businesses, this means:

• Elite tax strategists are becoming scarce
• Generic “tax preparers” cannot keep up with modern complexity
• Many firms lack specialization in construction, real estate, or manufacturing
• Businesses may unknowingly outgrow their current CPA
• Errors, missed opportunities, and poor planning become more common

FPA was built around solving this exact problem: Senior-level expertise, year-round strategy, and niche specialization.

Beyond Compliance: Strategic, Year-Round Tax Planning

Tax strategy should never be an April 15th conversation.

At FPA, we know that: Tax planning is a year-round sport.

For our clients, especially those entering the U.S. market, we provide:

• Ongoing tax reviews throughout the year
• Analysis of new tax laws the moment they are announced
• Proactive identification of opportunities and risks
• Customized tax plans aligned with growth, ownership, and long-term vision
• Entity restructuring when needed to reduce exposure
• Multi-state and multi-entity optimization
• Coordination between CPA, CFO, attorneys, lenders, and advisory partners

Whether you are building in Texas, expanding manufacturing across multiple states, or developing new real estate projects, the goal is always the same:

We look for the tax strategy that saves you the most, while supporting long-term business goals.

The Foundation of Growth: Selecting the Right Entity Structure

When entering the U.S. market, few decisions have a more lasting impact than your entity structure.

We help leaders determine whether a:

• Single-member LLC
• Multi-member LLC
• C-corporation
• S-corporation
• Partnership model
• Hybrid multi-entity structure
  …will best support the company’s tax plan, ownership goals, liability protection, and operational complexity.

For mid-market construction, manufacturing, and real estate firms, a poorly chosen structure can:

• Trigger avoidable U.S. tax exposure
• Create double taxation
• Limit access to incentives
• Impair foreign owner strategies
• Increase audit risk
• Reduce cash flow

The right structure is the first and most important tax planning decision for inbound businesses.

Cost Segregation & Real Estate Tax Opportunities for U.S. Entrants

For real estate developers, investors, and manufacturers purchasing or constructing facilities in Texas, cost segregation studies are one of the most powerful tools available.

Cost seg accelerates depreciation on qualifying assets, improving:

• Immediate cash flow
• Reduction of federal income taxes
• Improved ROI on both new and existing properties
• Faster debt service coverage
• Expansion capital availability

These studies can also support:

• Renovations
• Build-outs
• New facilities
• Warehouse and industrial properties
• Multifamily and commercial developments

When paired with strategic entity structuring, multi-state planning, and year-round tax guidance, cost segregation becomes a core growth accelerator.

Strategic Growth for Construction, Manufacturing & Real Estate Companies Entering the U.S.

As Texas continues to attract international companies and domestic expansions, the fastest-growing industries all share similar needs:

Construction Firms Need:

• Multi-state nexus planning
• Job costing optimization
• WIP schedule tax strategies
• Section 179 & depreciation planning for equipment
• Contractor-specific entity structure
• Strategies for limiting tax exposure across project locations

Manufacturers Need:

• R&D tax credit optimization
• State incentive package review
• Facility expansion/automation tax strategy
• Section 199A, 163(j), and inventory method analysis
• Integration of robotics/automation into tax planning

Real Estate Developers Need:

• Cost segregation
• Opportunity zone considerations
• Multi-entity structuring
• Transaction planning
• Long-term capital gains strategy
• Passive vs. active activity classification planning

Each industry has its own blueprint. A strong CPA understands the nuances and applies them long before tax season arrives.

Collaborating for Success: How CPAs and CFOs Drive Growth Together

Mid-market companies grow fastest when the CFO and CPA operate as unified strategic partners.

High-impact collaboration includes:

• Forward-looking forecasting with tax implications built in
• Accurate real-time financial data to support strategic decisions
• Multi-entity cash flow planning
• Financial modeling for expansions and acquisitions
• Proactive tax reduction throughout the year
• Deep industry-specific insight
• Unified messaging to bankers, investors, and ownership groups

A CPA with strategic capability becomes:
✔ A sounding board
✔ A risk manager
✔ A planning partner
✔ A growth architect

This is the model that delivers measurable ROI for expanding companies.

Final Thoughts & Your Next Step

Today’s business world demands more from accountants than ever before.

For Texas companies entering or expanding into the U.S. market, having a CPA firm that provides year-round planning, industry specialization, and strategic guidance is not optional, it’s foundational.

At Freese, Peralez & Associates, we are proud to serve the businesses, owners, and advisory partners shaping the future of Texas. Whether you are exploring the U.S. market, preparing for your next phase of growth, or looking for a higher-level CPA relationship:

We are here to help.

➡️ Schedule a discovery call and let’s build your strategy.
➡️ If you’re already a client or a valued referral partner, thank you. Your trust means everything to us, and your referrals are always appreciated.