04.24.19
Landing Corporate Backing Requires a Game Plan
When the economy is good, corporations tend to be more generous with their donations to not-for-profit organizations, but the competition can be tough. Not-for-profits that make detailed, compelling pitches to corporations and provide support for their requests have the best chance at securing corporate backing.

04.16.19
Is Your Department a Group or a Team?
Several years ago, I became the manager of a small group of which I was a member. As the new manager, my goal was to bring the group together and foster a team mentality. I started by defining two similar and often interchangeable terms—group and team. 

03.14.19
Should You Accept That New Grant?
Grants are among the most important funding sources for many not-for-profits. It is easy to understand why so many organizations are quick to accept every new grant that comes their way.

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.

02.11.19
Supreme Court to Address the Power of States to Tax Trusts
More than $120 billion of our nation’s income flows through trusts, and the Supreme Court will hear a case that may clarify how much states are able to tax.

01.31.19
2019 Tax Calendar
To help make sure that you do not miss any important 2019 deadlines, we have provided this summary of when various tax-related forms, payments and other actions are due.

01.29.19
IRS Provides QBI Deduction Changes Just in Time for Filing
The tax law signed in December 2017 included a dramatic cut in corporate tax rates and also a generous deduction for the qualified businesses income (QBI) of businesses that operate as pass-through entities (PTE)— sole proprietors, S corporations and partnerships (including LLC electing to be S corporations or partnerships).

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.