ISSUE NO. 70

WEEKLY CFO BRIEF

A practical weekly field note from Basta CPA.

THIS WEEK'S STORY

$55 Million for EV Chargers. Here's Why I'd Pay Attention.

Samy Basta, CPA

California has more than $55 million in funding coming for public fast-charging infrastructure.

If you're an electrical contractor, developer, commercial property owner, or property manager, I'd pay attention.

Not because everybody needs an EV charger.

Because there's a lot of business behind the charger.

Think about it.

Electrical upgrades.
Engineering.
Permits.
Trenching.
Concrete.
Equipment.
Utility coordination.
Installation.
Maintenance.

One charger can create work for several businesses

And if you own commercial property, charging could potentially become an amenity for tenants or customers - or part of a larger property improvement plan.

But here's where I'd be careful.

Whenever there's a government incentive, people tend to start with: "How much money can I get?"

Wrong first question.

I'd start with: "Does this project make sense?"

Quick note from your CFO
​Free money is great. A bad project with free money is still a bad project. Don't let an incentive drive your investment decision. Run the numbers first. A good project should make financial sense on its own. The funding should make the opportunity better, not be the only reason you pursue it.

Book your free 15-minute call

— What I Would Check This Week

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If you're a contractor, bring this up with a few commercial customers. They may not even know the incentives are available.

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If you're a property owner, pick one location and run a simple analysis: Total project cost - incentive = your actual investment.

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Then add utility upgrades, ongoing costs, expected usage, and the payback period.

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If the numbers work, great. The incentive makes a good project even better. If they don't? Don't force it just because somebody is offering you money.

— Deep Dive

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01

A few bookkeeping mistakes that could be costing you Small bookkeeping mistakes can quietly eat into your margins. See where electrical contractors lose money without realizing it. ​Read more →​

02

Don't forget these expenses when budgeting your next project Labor and materials aren't the whole picture. Learn which overlooked expenses could throw off your project budget. ​Read more →​

03

Getting more jobs but keeping less profit? Here's why. More projects don't always mean more profit. See how rising overhead could be quietly draining your bottom line. ​Read more →​

Basta and Company

100 Pine Street, Suite 1250
San Francisco, CA 94111

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