News Releases

Dallas, TX and Lindon, UT (May 20, 2022) – Skylark Private Equity Partners (“Skylark”), an entrepreneur-centric lower middle market private equity firm, today announced it has closed an investment in Cost Segregation Authority (“CSA”), a leading provider of cost segregation studies and other tax related services for real estate investors.

 

The acquisition of CSA represents Skylark’s second investment in the tax services industry and its fourth investment in Skylark’s first fund. In April 2021, Skylark acquired Tax Advisors Group, a tech-enabled business service provider that specializes in property tax advisory services.  

 

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Lindon, UT, CSA performs cost segregation studies to identify and reclassify personal property from real property assets to accelerate the depreciation life of the reclassified assets. Led by CEO and co-founder, Steve Ruf, CSA employs an exceptional team of technically advanced cost segregation experts that provide the highest quality of customized cost segregation reports, routinely providing clients with industry-leading tax savings.

 

“When considering a partnership, we were attracted to Skylark’s deep understanding of our business and their relevant, hands-on experience in the broader tax advisory space,” stated Mr. Ruf. “Skylark brings the necessary operational and strategic resources needed to scale our business over the long term. We look forward to working alongside the Skylark team to expand our market reach and operational capabilities.”

 

“The Company’s CPA-tailored reports, tech-enabled offering, and hard-earned reputation for quality, accuracy, and efficiency make for a unique and differentiated business model” said Marshall Viney, Skylark’s Partner. “CSA is well-positioned to take advantage of the growing awareness of the significant tax benefits provided by cost segregation studies.” 

 

Skylark’s Managing Partner Hunter Peterson, Principal Chase Eckert, and Associate Danny McNamara worked alongside Mr. Viney on the transaction. Mayer Brown LLP advised Skylark on the transaction and Cadence Bank provided debt financing.

 

Headquartered in Lindon, UT, Cost Segregation Authority is a leading provider of qualified third-party cost segregation studies for commercial and residential properties. Having built an exceptional team of highly knowledgeable costing specialists, relationship managers, and project coordinator and utilizing its proprietary technology platform, Cost Segregation Authority consistently delivers best-in-class results by combining the requisite construction and engineering knowledge with an in-depth understanding of the US tax code and related legal issues. With a singular focus on cost segregation studies and related services, Cost Segregation Authority partners with CPA firms and advisors to deliver exceptional results to taxpayers.  For more information, please visit costsegauthority.com.

 

Skylark Private Equity Partners is an entrepreneur-centric private equity firm that partners with founders and management teams of lower middle market companies to scale their business into market leading companies that can address the growing demand for their products and services.  Skylark seeks to learn from our partner companies and then in partnership draw upon the operational and investment experience of our professionals to help drive long-term transformative change.  Skylark makes control and minority investments in growth-oriented lower middle market manufacturing and business, healthcare, industrial, and consumer service companies.