09.16.20
Classifying Workers as Employees or Independent Contractors: When Bringing Back Workers, Follow the Rules
Part of your not-for-profit organization’s entrance into the “new normal” nonprofit world may involve rehiring workers — and perhaps hiring some new replacements. For tax obligation purposes, you will be required to classify those workers as employees or independent contractors (ICs). Sizing up Independent Contractor benefits Treating a worker as an independent contractor (IC) rather […]

09.04.20
Can Our Public School Hold “Virtual” School Board Meetings During the Pandemic?
As public schools in Illinois are busy redesigning their curriculums for the fall, “COVID-19” continues to interrupt not only classrooms, but also other essential educational operations.  On March 9, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Pritzker declared all Illinois counties a “disaster area” and subsequently issued a series of executive orders designed to […]

08.20.20
Five Planning Strategies in Uncertain Times
The COVID-19 pandemic, waves of civil unrest and rocky economic times have led to an abundance of external and internal forces for which many not-for-profit organizations have found themselves unprepared. Organizations are struggling to continue serving their constituencies while keeping their doors open, and their employees safe and employed. The uncertainty makes it challenging to […]

07.17.20
Not-For-Profit Group Newsletter – Summer 2020
Our Not-For-Profit Newsletter helps you evaluate your revenue streams to make sure they are sufficiently diverse as you head into the future and covers the findings of a new Fidelity Charitable study on charitable giving.

05.01.20
Not-For-Profit Group Newsletter – Spring 2020
Our Not-For Profit Newsletter explains why it is critical that organizations take the time now to reflect, plan and adapt to "the new normal" and covers the controversial tax on not-for-profits established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

02.13.19
Not-For-Profit Group Newsletter – Winter 2019
Our Not-For-Profit Group's Winter 2019 newsletter discusses the importance of monitoring your organization's financial statements, as well as newsworthy updates in the not-for-profit industry.

06.18.20
How Not-For-Profit Organizations Can Safely Return Employees to the Workplace
As not-for-profit organizations begin reopening and allowing employees to return to the workplace, what issues should leadership be considering in managing their workforce? Join ORBA and guest speaker Rebecca B. Canary-King, labor and employment attorney from Chicago-based Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC, for a complimentary webinar that will focus on issues particular to not-for-profit organizations and managing the workforce consistently with its mission.

06.03.20
What You Need to Know About Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness
Join ORBA’s Frank L. Washelesky on Friday, May 29, for a complimentary webinar that will provide clarity on the PPP Loan Forgiveness rules. 

12.10.19
A Closer Look: FASB’s New Revenue Recognition Standards
Navigating the changing landscape of revenue recognition can be a challenge, particularly in light of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) massive overhaul. Recent guidelines, like Topic 606, have been implemented for all entities, paving the way for ASU 2018-08. This update clarifies the guidance of Topic 606 and its impact on not-for-profit organizations, as […]

04.13.20
ORBA Named to Accounting Today’s 2020 “Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch”
Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, has been named as one of Accounting Today’s “Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch” for 2020.  

04.17.19
ORBA Announces Cloud CFO and Accounting Service Hires
Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to welcome Carissa Coppola as an Associate in the Accounting Services Department, and Emily Cohen, Jason Dion and Joshua Trezek as Associates in the Cloud CFO Services Department

04.08.19
ORBA Appoints Chief Financial Officer
CHICAGO — Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to announce the appointment of Cara Sample, CPA, as Chief Financial Officer.

09.02.20
Providing Employees With Tax-Free COVID-19 Assistance: What Employers Need to Know
Are your employees struggling with unexpected medical, work-from-home, childcare or other expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, a little-known tax law allows you to make tax-free payments to employees to help them cover these expenses.

09.01.20
Pitfalls of Executive Payroll Tax Deferral
The IRS issued guidance (Notice 2020-65) implementing President Trump’s executive action to defer the employee portion of the Social Security payroll tax. The guidance is brief, leaving employers with questions about whether, and how, to implement the deferral.

08.12.20
What Does the Executive Action Deferring Payroll Taxes Mean for Employers and Employees?
On August 8, 2020, President Trump signed an executive memorandum that defers an employee’s portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes from September 1 through December 31, 2020. At this point, the taxes are just deferred, meaning they will still have to be paid at a later date.

04.08.19
Various Media – ORBA Appoints Chief Financial Officer
ORBA is mentioned in the media for announcing the appointment of Cara Sample, CPA, as Chief Financial Officer of the firm. Reporting media include Yahoo! Finance, Spoke, The Daily Herald, NewsBlaze, Star Tribune and ABC 7. View the official press release.

04.04.19
Various Media – ORBA Ranked Among 2019 ‘Top Firms to Watch’ by Accounting Today
ORBA is mentioned in the media for being ranked among the “Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch” list for 2019, as well being listed among the top 20 firms in the Great Lakes Region.

01.02.19
Various Media – Crain’s Business Ranks ORBA Among Chicago’s Largest Accounting Firms
ORBA was recently mentioned in the media for being ranked 18th out of the 25 largest accounting firms in Chicago, listed by Crain’s Chicago Business. Reporting media include MarketWatch, Pittsburgh Business Times, the Daily Herald, Daily Penny Alerts and Chicago City Room. View the official press release.

06.08.20
Message from Managing Director Mark Thomson
Over the past two weeks, I have watched the many peaceful protests across the City of Chicago, our local communities and across the nation. People of all backgrounds are speaking out against the continuing injustice against people of color, specifically Black people.

04.17.19
ORBA Announces Cloud CFO and Accounting Service Hires
Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to welcome Carissa Coppola as an Associate in the Accounting Services Department, and Emily Cohen, Jason Dion and Joshua Trezek as Associates in the Cloud CFO Services Department

04.08.19
ORBA Appoints Chief Financial Officer
CHICAGO — Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to announce the appointment of Cara Sample, CPA, as Chief Financial Officer.