03.26.20
Key Changes to the Data Collection Form
All entities that expend $750,000 or more annually in federal awards must perform a Single Audit and complete Form SF-SAC (the Form) for every fiscal period during which they meet the reporting dollar threshold. The Federal Auditing Clearinghouse is the federal entity that collects the forms and reporting packages and maintains a database of completed […]

03.09.20
Financial Reporting: How Not-For-Profit Accounting Differs From its For-Profit Counterpart
Many effective not-for-profit board members come from the for-profit world. They bring talent and organizational savvy that may help elevate your organization’s overall performance. However, when it comes to understanding financial reporting in this new arena, these for-profit pros often need some training to help them understand how to read your not-for-profit’s financial statements. You […]

02.26.20
How Should You Approach Collaborative Arrangements?
The simplest relationship between not-for-profit organizations for accounting purposes may be a collaborative arrangement. These are typically contractual agreements in which two or more organizations are active participants in a joint operating activity. Both entities are vulnerable to risks and rewards that hinge on the activity’s commercial success. Costs incurred and revenues generated from transactions […]

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.

10.02.18
Not-For-Profit Group Newsletter – Fall 2018
Our Not-For-Profit Group's Fall Newsletter discusses tax liabilities for volunteers, as well as tips for avoiding unrelated business income tax for your organization.

07.13.18
Not-For-Profit Group Newsletter – Summer 2018
Will the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Make Your UBIT Jump? Laurence Sophian, CPA, MBA As the new tax bill worked its way through Congress last fall, not-for-profits across the country raised their voices high to share concerns about its disincentives for charitable donations — as well as the proposed repeal of the Johnson Amendment. […]

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 […]

05.22.19
What Charter School CFOs Should Know About FASB’s New Accounting Updates
The Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) recent accounting updates have impacted various sectors of the not-for-profit industry, including charter schools. These new regulations significantly impact the way charter schools operate, including: How to present financial statements under ASU 2016-14; How to recognize revenue including clarifying guidance for contributions received and contributions made; and How to […]

01.16.19
Accounting Update for Not-For-Profit Organizations
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has rolled out a handful of accounting updates that will greatly impact how not-for-profit organizations record and report various transactions. These new regulations include: How to present financial statements under ASU 2016-14; How to recognize revenue including clarifying guidance for contributions received and contributions made; and How to recognize […]

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.

04.04.19
ORBA Ranked Among 2019 ‘Top Firms to Watch’ by Accounting Today
Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is named as one of the “Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch” for 2019 by Accounting Today. ORBA is also ranked among the top 20 firms in the Great Lakes Area.

04.01.20
Retirement Relief Provisions Under the CARES Act
We continue to breakdown important provisions of the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed on March 27, 2020. This Client Alert addresses the key provisions affecting retirement plans. 

03.31.20
Financial Relief Programs and Resources Available to Not-For-Profit Organizations
Although we all are facing major changes and challenges in our school, work and homes caused by the spread of COVID-19, it is not-for-profit (NFP) organizations that are often on the “front lines,” working with our youngest, oldest and most vulnerable populations. Fortunately, there have been significant responses from our state, local and federal governments in terms of financial support.

03.30.20
Paycheck Protection Program
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is now law and the most impactful piece of this historic legislation is the Paycheck Protection Program. This provides nearly $350 billion in forgivable loans to qualified small businesses. 

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. Click here to 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. Click here to view the official press release.

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.

04.04.19
ORBA Ranked Among 2019 ‘Top Firms to Watch’ by Accounting Today
Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is named as one of the “Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch” for 2019 by Accounting Today. ORBA is also ranked among the top 20 firms in the Great Lakes Area.