Industries We Serve

Railroad

For decades, Bowers has been a trusted partner to the railroad industry.

We partner with your organization on all tax, assurance, and accounting needs, in addition to railroad-specific topics including 45G tax credit, payroll, railroad retirement benefits, sales tax, and valuations. Bowers Railroad Group is the premier accounting, financial planning, and business consulting services group for the short-line railroad industry.

Our expertise is based on our analysis and accumulated knowledge of the short-line railroad industry. In that time, we have served more than 150 railroad clients.

Our Services

We have built a comprehensive set of services that enable us to understand and meet any railroad or railroad supplier’s needs, at any stage.

45G Railroad Track Maintenance
Tax Credit:

We assist clients in optimizing the value of their 45G tax credits available to their company. 

Learn more about tax planning & compliance.

Financial Reporting:

The railroad industry involves large-scale capital investments and complex financial transactions, which require accurate and transparent financial reporting. 

Learn more about our audit approach.

Mergers and Acquisitions:

We advise railroads on mergers, acquisitions, and other business transactions. We provide financial due diligence, including reviewing financial statements, assessing financial risks, and evaluating potential synergies and cost savings.

Learn more about mergers & acquisitions.

Tax Compliance:

Railroad companies are subject to various taxes, including income tax, property tax, and sales tax. With a nationwide client base and preparation of over 400 out-of-state tax returns, we have deep experience with multi-state tax issues, strategy, and resolution. With expertise in federal, state, and local tax laws we help railroad companies comply with tax laws and regulations, minimizing their tax liabilities while avoiding penalties and fines. 

Learn more about tax planning & compliance.

Grant Administration

With the increase in grant funding available to railroads, Bowers can help you navigate your financial and tax implications resulting from these funds. In addition, depending on how the grants were administered, there may be additional compliance audits surrounding the receipt of these funds.

Payroll

Bowers will help you navigate the different requirements and work with the payroll company to set up the taxes to be withheld and calculated correctly, as well as go the extra step to assist with paying and reporting that many payroll companies are not comfortable with.

Capital Planning:

Business valuation is a critical component of capital planning. Railroad companies use valuation to assess their financial position and determine the best strategies for allocating capital, including investment in new projects, maintenance of existing infrastructure, and shareholder returns.

Have you considered the importance of a trusted business valuation partner?

Bowers has seen many clients in the railroad industry gain great value from our business valuation services. These services go well beyond exit strategy and sales of the business.

What Makes the Railroad Industry’s Financials So Different?

If you are a financial professional and new to the railroad industry, one of the biggest changes you will experience is managing payroll and employee benefits. You may wonder: Why is it so different?

While the Social Security system was just in the planning stage in the 1930s, over three-quarters of railroad industry employees were covered by some type of private pension plan by 1927. Since railroad benefits were already established, railroad workers wished to maintain a separate railroad retirement system and broaden the existing programs outside the national plan. As a result, legislation was enacted in 1934, 1935, and 1937 establishing a railroad retirement system separate from the Social Security program.

Due to this legislation, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), an independent agency in the executive branch of the federal government, came to be.

The RRB’s primary function is to administer comprehensive retirement-survivor and unemployment-sickness benefit programs for the nation’s railroad workers and their families, under the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts.

In fiscal year 2022, the RRB paid retirement-survivor benefits of approximately $13.4 billion to about 506,000 beneficiaries*. The RRB also paid net unemployment-sickness benefits of $94 million to approximately 23,000 claimants. At the end of fiscal year 2022, the average annuity paid to retired rail employees was $3,145 a month, spouse benefits averaged $1,160 a month, and benefits for aged widow(er)s averaged $1,985 a month.
*Statistics provided by: U.S Railroad Retirement Board & Social Security Administration

To get a jump start on navigating Railroad Retirement and Payroll Systems, contact Chelsea Sweet, our Outsourced Controller and Railroad Specialist!

Find legal representation with experience working with the Surface Transportation Board

The Surface Transportation Board is an independent federal agency that is charged with the economic regulation of various modes of surface transportation, primarily freight rail.

There are a few law firms that specialize in this service, we have worked with several and are happy to refer you to one.

Find a payroll company that can execute RRB reporting, RRR, and payroll setup

Most payroll companies are going to be set up for Social Security. While overeager sales reps want to assure you that their systems can accommodate the difference, actual set up and integration often times proves futile.

Bowers will help you navigate the different requirements and work with the payroll company to set up the taxes to be withheld and calculated correctly, as well as go the extra step to assist with paying and reporting that many payroll companies are not comfortable with.

“North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates has been a client of Bowers for 12 years. We have utilized Bowers’ services in many different areas including: auditing, valuation, acquisition preparation, tax preparation, corporate succession planning and financial guidance. Bowers’ staff is extremely knowledgeable in the railroad industry, and they give thorough and thoughtful responses and explanations. Their services are timely and impeccable. In short, Bowers is a top notch accounting services firm for our industry.”

 

Diana L. Williams, Treasurer/Controller - North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates

Select and onboard the appropriate accounting software

Depending on your needs and wants, different accounting software might be a better fit. The most important part of setting up bookkeeping for a railroad is understanding the need for a unique chart of accounts.

Railroads are not going to have a Cost of Goods Sold section, but they do have a very important need of separating out Maintenance of Way Expenses from Maintenance of Equipment, Transportation, and Administrative costs. So, once you pick out a software that fits what you need, setting it up correctly is always imperative.

Get in touch with us.

We are here when you need us and even when you don’t. Our clients’ success is our success. Do you want to learn more about our team and how we can help you? Simply call or submit your information below to schedule a free consultation.