05.30.23
Want to Improve Customer Loyalty? Consider a Subscription Program
The subscription business model has taken off in recent years. There is a reason that companies talk about becoming “the Netflix of (insert product or service here).” A successful subscription business can offer a more stable revenue stream and improve customer retention. Does the subscription model have a place in the restaurant business? Current trends […]

02.21.23
Managing the Rising Cost of Labor
Of the many challenges facing the restaurant industry today, the rising cost of labor is one of the most formidable. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average hourly earnings in food and drinking establishments jumped from $15 in 2018 to $19.42 in 2022. Factors contributing to this trend include the ongoing labor shortage […]

12.27.22
Still Waiting for Your Employee Retention Credit Refund? You Are Not Alone
For restaurants that have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, the employee retention credit (ERC) can be a welcome source of relief. Unfortunately, IRS processing delays have forced many restaurants to wait a long time before receiving their ERC refunds, in some cases more than one year. The longest wait times have been for retroactive ERC […]

05.18.22
The Financial Reporting Framework for Small- and Medium-Sized Entities: The GAAP Alternative for the Back Bone of America
As a banking professional, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP) has become increasingly complex in recent years, especially for the middle market companies who comprise the back bone of the US economy. With limited resources available to devote to the accounting function, software that does […]

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. 

09.26.13
Making the Affordable Care Act Affordable for Your Company
Robert Swenson and Anita Wescott will be presenting at a President's Resource Organization seminar on September 26, from 8:00-10:30 a.m. entitled, "Making the Affordable Care Act Affordable for Your Company," which will be held at the Mission Hills Country Club.

05.24.23
ORBA Welcomes New Hires to Tax, Audit and Cloud CFO Services Groups
CHICAGO — ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to announce that Georgia Smeu, Taylor Sterling and Jillian Heston have joined the firm's Tax and Audit Groups.   

04.18.23
ORBA Awarded Gold Horizon Interactive Award for 2022 Holiday E-Card
Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a Gold Horizon Interactive Award for its 2022 holiday e-card. This is the seventh consecutive year that ORBA has received this award.

12.15.22
ORBA Named on America’s Best Tax and Accounting Firms 2023 List by Forbes
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, has been named on the Forbes list of America’s Best Tax and Accounting Firms 2023. This award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

06.07.23
What’s in the Fiscal Responsibility Act?
President Biden has signed into law the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, thereby finalizing the new debt ceiling agreement that he reached with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The FRA suspends the debt ceiling through January 1, 2025, increasing on January 2, 2025, to accommodate the obligations issued during the suspension period. The FRA also makes a variety of changes related to domestic spending, although it falls far short of the cuts included in the Republican bill that the House passed in April.

05.22.23
Social Security’s Looming Crisis: Understanding the Problem and the Proposed Solutions
The future of Social Security is a topic of concern due to the program's impending insolvency. There are several proposals to address the issue, including increasing the payroll tax rate, raising the taxable wage base, adjusting the cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) and increasing the retirement age. While each proposal has its pros and cons, it is crucial for policymakers to find a solution that ensures the sustainability of Social Security for current and future generations.

05.12.23
Proposed Regulations Regarding the IRA’s Clean Vehicle Credit
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) extended and expanded the Section 30D New Clean Vehicle (CV) Credit, previously known as the Electric Vehicle (EV) Credit. The IRS explained that the purpose of these amendments is to promote the purchase and use of “clean vehicles” by lower and middle-income Americans, to promote resilient supply chains and domestic manufacturing, to strengthen supply chains with trusted trading partners, to protect against improper credit claims and to achieve significant carbon emissions reductions.

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.

05.24.23
ORBA Welcomes New Hires to Tax, Audit and Cloud CFO Services Groups
CHICAGO — ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to announce that Georgia Smeu, Taylor Sterling and Jillian Heston have joined the firm's Tax and Audit Groups.   

04.18.23
ORBA Awarded Gold Horizon Interactive Award for 2022 Holiday E-Card
Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a Gold Horizon Interactive Award for its 2022 holiday e-card. This is the seventh consecutive year that ORBA has received this award.

12.15.22
ORBA Named on America’s Best Tax and Accounting Firms 2023 List by Forbes
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, has been named on the Forbes list of America’s Best Tax and Accounting Firms 2023. This award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.