At FAZ Forensics, we support construction firms across New York’s energy sector in meeting the strict requirements of prevailing wage compliance under Article 8’s Labor Law § 220. Whether your project is funded by NYSERDA or tied to a local infrastructure upgrade, we help you stay aligned with state regulations—minimizing legal exposure and safeguarding your reputation.

How We Help

Our team conducts independent prevailing wage audits designed to identify potential risks and ensure full compliance with New York State labor standards. We work with both general contractors and subcontractors to review certified payroll records, evaluate worker classifications, and verify that wages and supplemental benefits meet or exceed published rates for each trade and county.

We understand that prevailing wage laws are complex and frequently changing. That’s why we stay up to date on Department of Labor requirements and bring forensic-level attention to detail to every engagement. Whether you’re undergoing a routine internal review or facing an external audit, we’re here to help you respond with transparency and confidence.

Key Areas We Address Include:

• Certified Payroll Review: Ensuring your documentation supports compliance.
• Trade Classification Analysis: Verifying workers are properly classified, as misclassification is one of the more common ways contractors violate prevailing wage laws.
• Wage Rate Comparisons: Confirming actual pay meets or exceeds state-mandated rates, including a review of prevailing supplemental (fringe) benefits.
• Restitution Pay Calculations: Quantifying underpayments and assisting with corrective action when discrepancies are identified.
• Subcontractor Oversight: Assessing subcontractor compliance to limit prime contractor or project owner risk.
• Audit Support: Assisting during agency reviews or investigations.

Our services not only reduce the risk of wage violations and debarment but also foster a culture of integrity and compliance across New York’s most important renewable energy and infrastructure projects.

Let’s Talk Compliance

If you’re managing a New York energy construction project and want peace of mind around prevailing wage compliance, contact FAZ Forensics today. We’re ready to provide expert insights, clear reporting, and reliable support tailored to your project’s needs.

Sources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/LAB/220
https://apps.labor.ny.gov/wpp/publicViewPWChanges.do?method=showIt&utm_source=chatgpt.com

In the construction industry, particularly on publicly funded projects, prevailing wage laws ensure that workers are paid according to regional standards. A prevailing wage payroll audit is a formal review conducted to verify that a contractor has complied with these wage requirements. These audits are more than just paperwork as they help protect workers, ensure contractors follow through on their obligations, and make sure public funds are being used the right way.

A prevailing wage payroll audit typically involves examining certified payroll reports, timesheets, job classifications, fringe benefit contributions, and supporting documentation. The goal is to determine whether the wages paid match what is required under federal, state, or local prevailing wage regulations. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, these standards are established through the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts, which apply to contractors and subcontractors performing on federally funded or assisted contracts over $2,000 for the construction, alteration, or repair of public buildings or public works.

When performed by a forensic accounting firm, these audits offer an additional layer of assurance. Independent verification from a licensed professional carries weight with public agencies, prime contractors, and labor unions. It also gives contractors peace of mind that they are meeting their obligations and protecting themselves from potential penalties. Moreover, prevailing wage audits conducted by forensic accounting firms can serve as a critical tool for contract compliance and defense during Department of Labor investigations.

FAZ Forensics has conducted several prevailing wage audits on behalf of contract owners to verify compliance with wage laws. In our reviews, we have been the primary communicators with contractors and typically perform randomized sampling procedures and detailed reconciliations to confirm whether reported wage rates meet or exceed required thresholds. We have also served as a liaison between contractors and the Department of Labor when questions or issues have arisen, helping to clarify documentation and resolve concerns efficiently.

Such proactive audits not only help contractors avoid costly penalties and reputational damage but also serve as a defensible record in the event of a government audit or litigation. Ensuring transparency and accuracy in certified payroll submissions strengthens credibility with regulators and positions contractors/contract owners as trustworthy stewards of public funds.