09.20.21
Tainted Donor, Tainted Money? How To Handle Controversial Contributions
In 2019, as waves of lawsuits accused Purdue Pharma of knowingly contributing to the opioid crisis, numerous not-for-profit organizations announced that they would no longer accept gifts from the Sackler family, several members of which owned the company. That same year, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology came under fire for accepting multiple donations from convicted […]

08.23.21
Board Designation: Three Questions To Consider
The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic crisis have provided harsh reminders of how precarious a not-for-profit organization’s financial stability can be. Uncertainty about the future is prompting some organizations to consider the wisdom of making board designations of unrestricted assets. Here are a few questions your organization might want to consider before making that decision. […]

06.10.21
A Year of COVID Philanthropy: What It Tells Us Going Forward
The COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented need for funding — and grantmakers and donors stepped up. Corporations, foundations, public charities and high-net-worth individuals awarded more than $20 billion to address the social, health and economic effects of COVID-19 globally in 2020. That is just one of the findings in a new report from the Center […]

08.30.21
Not-For-Profit Group Newsletter – Summer 2021
ORBA's Not-For-Profit Newsletter helps guide not-for-profit organizations in the quest to reduce costs and spotlights a U.S. Supreme Court case striking down a California law requiring not-for-profits to file a list of their large donors with the state.

05.13.21
Not-For-Profit Group Newsletter – Spring 2021
ORBA's Not-For-Profit Newsletter details why not-for-profit organizations should track restricted contributions, spotlights surprise COVID relief audits and covers industry job market recovery.

02.02.21
Not-For-Profit Group Newsletter – Winter 2021
Our Not-For-Profit Group Newsletter provides a series of questions designed to assist board members in the execution of their oversight roles and covers the Employee Retention Credit.

04.20.21
Is Your Not-For-Profit Ready for the New Revenue Recognition Standards?
ASC 606 is effective for most organizations. Are you ready? ASC 606 deals with the reporting and disclosure of revenue recognition relating to contracts with customers (exchange transactions). For most not-for-profit organizations, the standards were originally effective in 2019 (or fiscal years ending in 2020). If your organization elected to defer the recognition of ASC […]

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. 

09.14.21
ORBA Sponsors 2021 Smart Business Dealmakers Chicago Virtual Conference
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, announces that it is a sponsor of the upcoming 2021 Smart Business Dealmakers Chicago Virtual Conference: The New Normal in M&A. 

07.19.21
INSIDE Public Accounting Recognizes ORBA as a 2021 Top 200 IPA Firm
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, has been recognized as a 2021 IPA 200 Firm by INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA).

07.15.21
ORBA Winner of 2021 Top Workplaces National Culture Excellence Awards
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the 2021 Top Workplaces National Culture Excellence Awards — the Employee Value Proposition Award for achieving high scores on exceeding job expectations and the Formal Training Award for providing the formal training employees want for their careers.

10.15.21
Debate Continues in Congress Over Proposed Tax Changes
Negotiations continue in Washington, D.C., over the future of President Biden’s agenda. Tax law changes may be ahead under two proposed laws, the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIB), also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The final provisions remain to be seen, but the BBBA and, to a lesser extent, the BIB, contain a wide range of tax proposals that could affect individuals and businesses. It is also unclear when the tax changes would become effective if one or both of the laws are enacted.

08.11.21
IRS Issues ERC Guidance as Congress Mulls Early Termination
The IRS published new guidance last week on the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). The Credit was created in March 2020 to encourage employers to keep their workforces intact during the COVID-19 pandemic. Notice 2021-49 addresses various issues, particularly those related to the extension of the Credit through 2021 by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

07.27.21
Apply for PPP Forgiveness Before Loan Repayment Period Begins
A critical deadline is approaching for many businesses that have received loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). If a borrower does not apply for forgiveness within ten months after the last day of the “covered period,” its PPP loan payments will no longer be deferred and it must begin making payments to its lender.

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.

01.10.19
Various Media – ORBA Launches ORBA Wealth Advisors
ORBA was mentioned in the media for its announcement of the launch of ORBA Wealth Advisors, LLC. Reporting media include Wealth Adviser, Verdict, Yahoo! Finance, the Daily Herald and Merril Edge. View the official press release.

09.14.21
ORBA Sponsors 2021 Smart Business Dealmakers Chicago Virtual Conference
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, announces that it is a sponsor of the upcoming 2021 Smart Business Dealmakers Chicago Virtual Conference: The New Normal in M&A. 

07.19.21
INSIDE Public Accounting Recognizes ORBA as a 2021 Top 200 IPA Firm
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, has been recognized as a 2021 IPA 200 Firm by INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA).

07.15.21
ORBA Winner of 2021 Top Workplaces National Culture Excellence Awards
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the 2021 Top Workplaces National Culture Excellence Awards — the Employee Value Proposition Award for achieving high scores on exceeding job expectations and the Formal Training Award for providing the formal training employees want for their careers.