CBIZ Review (2026)
Pricing, methodology, audit defense, and where this provider fits.
Editorial note: Cost Segregation Reviews is operated by Cost Seg Smart, which appears as one option among many on this site, including in this review. Public-facing data only — pricing, methodology, and credentials reflect what CBIZ publishes on its own site. Reviewed September 2026.
CBIZ's cost segregation studies reclassify a building's cost basis into MACRS 5-, 7-, and 15-year property under §1245 and §1250, the categories set by Rev. Proc. 87-56 and documented against the IRS Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide (Pub 5653). CBIZ is a Cleveland, Ohio-headquartered national advisory firm; Marcum LLP's own cost-segregation service page now 301-redirects permanently to cbiz.com, confirming the two are one entity for this service line following CBIZ's acquisition of Marcum's advisory business. CBIZ's site claims an average ROI of “$15 of tax savings for each dollar spent in fees” — a firm-stated ratio, not an independently audited figure. Cost Seg Smart publishes a $1,995 starting price for standard commercial properties under $1 million, by comparison, rather than an ROI ratio with no dollar figure attached.
| Dimension | Published answer |
|---|---|
| Pricing model | Not published |
| Claimed ROI | "$15 of tax savings for each dollar spent in fees" (firm's own claim) |
| Prior brand | Marcum LLP's cost-segregation page now 301-redirects to cbiz.com |
| Turnaround | Not published |
| Site visit | Not published |
- Pricing
- Not published
- Turnaround
- Not published
- Methodology
- Engineering + accounting; engineers review blueprints and physical components
- Site visit
- Not published
- Audit support
- Not published
- Property types
- Commercial real estate — new construction, renovations, recently acquired buildings
- Founded
- 1987 (per third-party sources; not confirmed on the cost segregation page)
Category: CPA firm service line — best for former Marcum clients and large commercial owners
Pricing detail
Not published. CBIZ's site instead cites an average ROI claim ("$15 of tax savings for each dollar spent in fees") rather than a fee schedule.
Pricing reflects what the firm publishes as of September 2026. An ROI ratio describes the relationship between fee and expected benefit, not the fee itself — two providers can both claim a similar ratio at very different absolute prices. For context on typical rates, see our guide to how much a cost segregation study should cost.
Methodology and process
CBIZ describes a process combining engineering and accounting expertise, stating “engineers review building blueprints and physical components like lighting, plumbing, wiring, HVAC systems, and land improvements.” That component-level review approach tracks the documentation standard set by the IRS Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide. Notably, Marcum LLP's own cost-segregation service page (marcumllp.com) now 301-redirects permanently to cbiz.com, which CBIZ acquired as part of Marcum's advisory business — a former Marcum client's cost segregation relationship is now a CBIZ relationship.
Property-type fit
CBIZ's page is scoped to commercial real estate: new construction, renovations, and recently acquired buildings. It does not list single-family residential or short-term rental as a target category; see our STR rankings for that segment.
Audit defense
Audit-defense terms are not published on CBIZ's cost segregation page. The ROI claim ("$15 of tax savings for each dollar spent in fees") speaks to expected financial benefit, not to a stated guarantee, follow-up commitment, or IRS-representation scope.
Pros
- Publishes a specific, quotable ROI claim ($15 of tax savings per $1 of fees) rather than only qualitative marketing language.
- Backed by a large national advisory firm with broad tax and accounting capabilities beyond cost segregation.
- Former Marcum LLP clients have a documented, verifiable transition path (301 redirect) rather than an ambiguous merger story.
Cons
- Pricing is not published — only an ROI ratio, which is not the same as a dollar figure.
- Turnaround time, site-visit policy, and audit-defense terms are not published.
- Positioned for commercial real estate; no published residential or STR offering.
Verdict — who this is for
CBIZ fits commercial real estate owners — especially former Marcum LLP clients whose service relationship has moved to CBIZ — who want cost segregation from a large national advisory firm and are comfortable with an ROI-ratio pitch rather than a published fee. For a residential or STR investor who wants a fixed price up front, the full 27-provider table is a better starting point.
FAQ
Is CBIZ the same as Marcum for cost segregation?
Marcum LLP's cost-segregation service page now 301-redirects permanently to cbiz.com, confirming CBIZ acquired Marcum's advisory business for this service line.
What ROI does CBIZ claim for cost segregation?
The firm's site claims an average ROI of $15 of tax savings for each dollar spent in fees — a firm-stated figure, not an independently audited one.
How much does CBIZ charge for a cost segregation study?
Not published.
CBIZ is the editor's reference point for former Marcum LLP clients and large commercial owners. For other situations:
Sources
- https://www.cbiz.com/services/tax/business-tax/cost-segregation-studies
- https://www.marcumllp.com/services/tax/cost-segregation
Accessed 2026-09-06.
Pricing and operational details reflect public information as of September 2026. Provider corrections welcome via the submission form. This review is not legal, tax, or financial advice — confirm cost segregation suitability with your CPA before ordering a study.