Industries
Overview
Jacqueline Janczewski’s career in public accounting spans almost 25 years. As chair of the firm’s Wealth Management Services Group and a Director in the Tax Group, Jacqueline focuses on business taxation, providing closely-held companies, executives, attorneys, private investors and high-net-worth individuals with accounting, tax planning and compliance services. Throughout her career, she has been involved in many technical transactions and has worked with various types of business operations. This diverse experience — as well as keeping up with the ever-changing tax laws — allows her to creatively apply the principles and strategies she has learned to various client matters.
Jacqueline currently co-chairs ORBA’s Women’s Alliance Group.
Industries
Overview
Jacqueline Janczewski’s career in public accounting spans almost 25 years. As chair of the firm’s Wealth Management Services Group and a Director in the Tax Group, Jacqueline focuses on business taxation, providing closely-held companies, executives, attorneys, private investors and high-net-worth individuals with accounting, tax planning and compliance services. Throughout her career, she has been involved in many technical transactions and has worked with various types of business operations. This diverse experience — as well as keeping up with the ever-changing tax laws — allows her to creatively apply the principles and strategies she has learned to various client matters.
Jacqueline currently co-chairs ORBA’s Women’s Alliance Group.
Proactive
Jacqueline puts herself in the clients’ shoes, taking pride in keeping things moving by anticipating various scenarios and circumventing roadblocks to reach the desired goal, all while remaining mindful of quality. She gets immersed in her clients’ world to understand what is important to them and help them strategize to reach their short- and long-term goals. She believes in connecting with clients throughout the year to properly plan for the best outcome. Her professional motto is: Filing a tax return is the last step in the planning process and there shouldn’t be any surprises.
Outside of the Office
Jacqueline and her husband share a love of traveling. They have visited more than 30 countries throughout the world, enjoying history and immersing themselves in diverse cultures. Originally from Southern California, Jacqueline enjoys a variety of outdoor fitness activities around Chicago, such as rollerblading, playing tennis and swimming. When she is not working or traveling, you can find her in the kitchen creating delicious meals and learning gourmet recipes.
Presentations
- Income and Estate Tax Planning, UBS, Chicago, IL, April 26, 2017
Seminars & Events
- Tax Planning Considerations for New Law Firm Partners, ORBA, Chicago, IL, February 13, 2019
- Young Professionals: How to Take Control of Your Financial Future, ORBA, Chicago, IL, June 23, 2016
Certifications & Licenses
- Certified Public Accountant
- Licensed by California Board of Accountancy
- Licensed by Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulations
- Professional Financial Specialist (PFS)
- Retirement Planning Certificate — American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Estate Planning Certificate — American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Investment Planning Certificate — American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Memberships & Affiliations
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Illinois CPA Society
- Trusted Advisors Council – Downtown Chicago Chapter
Education
- B.A., Accounting, California State University, Fullerton
- Master of Business Taxation, University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business
Blogs
Spouses Benefit From Social Security Too
If you are or were married, do not overlook spousal benefits when you estimate your Social Security income and determine when to start receiving it. Qualifying individuals can receive up to 50% of their spouse’s full retirement benefit or their own Social Security benefit, whichever is greater. Here is a quick overview of the process. […]
Three Tips for Making Retirement Less Taxing
Recent retirees are often surprised by the size of their tax bills. As they soon learn, income taxes during retirement can be significant. However, with some tax planning before retirement, it is possible to soften the blow. Here are three tips to consider implementing. Create a Bucket List This is not the kind of bucket […]
Giving to Charity is a Little Sweeter in 2020
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has temporarily created a new $300 charitable deduction for nonitemizers but also gives larger donors an opportunity to save more tax on their gifts. Here is what charitable donors need to know. Related Read: CARES Act Expands Financial Options for Impacted Plan Participants Limit suspended The CARES […]
Law Firms are Prime Targets for Hackers — Do You Have a Cybersecurity Plan?
In today’s digital world, all businesses are at risk for electronic data breaches and other cyberattacks. But law firms are particularly vulnerable, in part because they are such enticing targets for cybercriminals.
How Tax-Advantaged Health Plans Contribute to Your Financial Well-Being
You have likely heard of these common tax-advantaged health care plans: Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). But do you know what they offer and, given your specific health and financial concerns, which one might be the best fit for you?
If you hope to expand your profit margin by raising rates, here are some factors to consider so that you do not alienate clients, new or old.
Get the Most Bang From Your Social Media
Trolls, hackers and public relations nightmares—the risks of social media are highlighted frequently. Nonetheless, platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn have become the 21st century equivalent of the Yellow Pages.
Your Responsibility When Hiring Household Help
When you hire a housekeeper, nanny or other domestic worker, you do not just acquire an employee, but also a set of tax responsibilities. Proper filing and reporting enables your worker to build an employment record and gain access to Social Security, Medicare and other benefits. This also helps protect you from potentially expensive and time-consuming legal trouble.
What Now? Responding to the Improved Economy
After a long recession and slow recovery, the economy seems to be headed back to more stable ground. Just as the weak economy required law firms to make changes in strategy, the improved situation calls for the same action as well.
Beyond Checks: Alternative Methods of Payment are Gaining Ground
Paper checks are on the road to becoming obsolete in today’s digital-dominated world. For both personal and professional matters, consumers are more likely to turn to other methods of payment, including credit cards and various payment apps. Although law firms have long relied on checks, in part for reasons related to ethics rules, it may be time to consider the alternatives that clients will probably eventually demand.
What to Do about Falling Realization Rates
Are your firm’s realization rates declining? If so, most firms are in the same boat. However, you should be able to keep your rate above 90% with a concerted effort.
What to do if You Inherit an IRA
Individuals who inherit an IRA have several options for handling the funds, depending on their relationship with the original accountholder. This article summarizes options for spouses and non-spouses.
Five Best Practices for Improving Collections
Unlike other businesses, which often stop providing goods and services until clients pay their bill, attorneys generally cannot withdraw representation while waiting for a client to remit an invoice. This article suggests other ways to improve collections, including billing promptly, checking invoices for accuracy and following up with clients as soon as a payment is late. A Sidebar helps attorneys avoid the conditions that lead to late payments.
Tax Tip: Miscellaneous Expenses Can Add Up
If you itemize your deductions instead of taking the standard deduction, you may be able to deduct certain miscellaneous expenses that can reduce your taxable income. As this article explains, they must add up to more than 2% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) to be deductible. The article also talks about a second category of miscellaneous expenses that are not subject to the 2% rule.
Newsletters
Wealth Management Group Newsletter – Fall 2024
ORBA’s Wealth Management Group’s 2024 Fall Newsletter describes the 7.5% rule for deducting medical expenses and advises business owners on sound exit strategies.
Wealth Management Group Newsletter – Winter 2024
ORBA’s Wealth Management Group’s 2024 Winter Newsletter advises businesses owners on how to plan an exit strategy and discusses the benefits and limitations of 529 plans.
Wealth Management Group Newsletter – Fall 2022
ORBA’s Wealth Management Group Fall 2022 Newsletter highlights the advantages and drawbacks of a self-directed IRA and suggests a number of options to consider regarding estate and gift planning.
Wealth Management Group Newsletter – Winter 2022
ORBA’s Wealth Management Group Newsletter examines the tax obligations when employing household workers and provides tax-planning ideas for retirees.
Law Firm Group Newsletter – Winter 2019
Our Law Firm Group’s Winter 2019 Newsletter offers advice on helping your law firm achieve optimal financial performance, as well as tips to keep your overhead costs low.
Law Firm Group Newsletter – Winter 2018
With many law firms’ high-performance expectations, demanding workload and long hours, some of today’s lawyers are “opting out,” searching for a better work/life balance. The partnership track isn’t the lure it once was. But your firm may be turning away profitable legal talent if it continues to phase out associates who don’t fit the partnership track. The solution is a two-tier system of equity and non-equity partners.
Wealth Management Group Newsletter – Fall 2017
ORBA’s Wealth Management Group’s 2017 Fall newsletter offers insight for high-income earners and the benefits of Roth IRAs, as well as options for employees with restricted stock investments.
News
ORBA Launches Women’s Alliance Group
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to announce that it has established a women’s initiative group called the Women’s Alliance Group. Leading the group’s initiatives are Jacqueline Janczewski, CPA, MBT and Cara M. Wills, CPA.
Jacqueline N. Janczewski was mentioned in Crain’s People on the Move section as having joined ORBA’s Tax Department.
ORBA Appoints Jason Flahive and Jacqueline Janczewski as New Directors
Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is proud to announce that Jason Flahive, CPA and Jacqueline Janczewski, CPA, MBT have been elected as Directors, effective July 1, 2017.
ORBA Invites Young Professionals to Wealth Management Group Seminar
ORBA is hosting a seminar for young professionals on how they can better manage their finances and invest in their financial future.
Jacqueline N. Janczewski, CPA Joins ORBA Tax Department
ORBA is pleased to announce that Jacqueline N. Janczewski, CPA has joined the firm’s Tax Department.
