Connections for Success

 

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 […]

05.24.21

Your Midsize or Large Organization Might Benefit From a CFO
Segdrick P. Byrd

As a not-for-profit leader, you are used to overseeing all aspects of your organization. Truthfully, the finance department is not always the first thing not-for-profit leaders think to scale as the organization grows. You might think, at times, that having a financial expert run that side of the operation could be a plus. More often […]

05.20.21

Three Tips for Making Retirement Less Taxing
Jacqueline N. Janczewski

Recent retirees are often surprised by the size of their tax bills. As they soon learn, income taxes during retirement can be significant. However, with some tax planning before retirement, it is possible to soften the blow. Here are three tips to consider implementing. Create a Bucket List This is not the kind of bucket […]

05.19.21

Small Business (and All Other Plan Sponsors) Oversight of Retirement Plan Investments

Prudence dictates that qualified plan sponsors periodically re-examine compliance with the fiduciary obligations of their retirement plans. A major area to consider is your fiduciary responsibilities over plan investments. This is essential for all plan sponsors, and in particular, plan sponsors of small businesses that do not have the resources or the time to oversee […]

05.18.21

The Real Estate Industry Awaits a Return to Normalcy and Focuses on Tenants, not Valuations
Stephanie Zaleski-Braatz

One thing that the real estate industry has had to learn from the economic cycles of the past three decades and from crises like the savings and loan collapse is patience. On the surface, the global pandemic seems to have had a uniform impact on the global economy — the tendency is to look at […]

05.12.21

What Is the Latest on Business Meal and Entertainment Expenses?

The deductibility of business meals and entertainment for federal income tax purposes has received renewed attention in recent months. The IRS’ final regulations on the deductibility of such expenses under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and a provision in December 2020’s Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) change the rules of the game. Here is […]

05.11.21

Remote Auditing: Is It Here to Stay?
Harry Fox

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a big impact on the way companies conduct business and audit firms are no exception. Restrictions on the ability of auditors to physically visit business premises have, in many cases, forced them to adopt remote auditing techniques. Remote auditing is not new. For years, auditors have taken advantage of technology […]

04.30.21

2021 Legal Market: Why This Year Could Mark an Inflection Point
Justin L. Sylvan

It is safe to say that the legal industry has never seen a year like 2020. But, a recent study of the legal market suggests that disruptions to law firm operations could end up being the impetus that the industry needs to finally adapt to the market’s competitive realities.   The 2021 Report on the State […]

04.29.21

Using Data Analytics to Gain a Competitive Edge and Boost Tenant Satisfaction

In today’s digital world, individuals and businesses are constantly generating massive amounts of data, providing valuable opportunities to those who understand and can harness it for their benefit. For example, commercial real estate businesses can tap a wide variety of data sources to increase tenant satisfaction and, in turn, improve lease renewals, occupancy rates and […]

04.28.21

Is Your Restaurant Eligible for Employee Retention Credits?

The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is a valuable tax credit designed to encourage employers to keep employees on the payroll despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on their businesses. The ERC was originally established by the CARES Act, which was enacted in March 2020. A refundable payroll credit, the ERC provides eligible employers with a tax […]

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Firm News

08.11.25

ORBA Ranked as a 2025 Top 200 Firm by INSIDE Public Accounting
CHICAGO — ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, has once again been recognized as a 2025 IPA Top 200 Firm by INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA). This marks the eleventh time since 2013 that ORBA has made the list of the country’s top firms. In the IPA’s annual report, ORBA is ranked #113, climbing five spots higher than last year, and is the highest ranked of the six Illinois firms on the Top 200 list.

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Guides

ORBA will gladly provide you with hard copies of the useful guides listed below. Select which guides you would like to receive and submit the form below.

  • Tax Pocket Guide
  • Tax Planning Guide
  • Records Retention Schedule
  • Auto, Travel & Business Log

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