Overview
Brandon Vahl joined ORBA after graduation in 2003 and is a Director at the firm, as well as a member of the Executive Board. Brandon manages audits, reviews, and monthly accounting engagements for numerous closely-held businesses, including technology companies, professional service providers, restaurants, manufacturers, distributors, not-for-profit organizations and clients in various other industries.
As a Certified Fraud Examiner, Brandon assists clients with a variety of fraud-related cases ranging from recommending fraud prevention controls to investigating suspected fraud. His experience as an examiner also gives Brandon the ability to see where companies’ internal controls and accounting processes might be leaving them more vulnerable to fraud.
In conjunction with the accounting and audit procedures, Brandon also prepares various income, sales, payroll and other tax returns for the clients he serves. Brandon also has experience with entity formation planning and structuring, tax planning for corporations and the individuals who own them, analysis of financial statements, fraud examinations, tax and GAAP research, and providing accounting training and support to closely-held businesses.
Overview
Brandon Vahl joined ORBA after graduation in 2003 and is a Director at the firm, as well as a member of the Executive Board. Brandon manages audits, reviews, and monthly accounting engagements for numerous closely-held businesses, including technology companies, professional service providers, restaurants, manufacturers, distributors, not-for-profit organizations and clients in various other industries.
As a Certified Fraud Examiner, Brandon assists clients with a variety of fraud-related cases ranging from recommending fraud prevention controls to investigating suspected fraud. His experience as an examiner also gives Brandon the ability to see where companies’ internal controls and accounting processes might be leaving them more vulnerable to fraud.
In conjunction with the accounting and audit procedures, Brandon also prepares various income, sales, payroll and other tax returns for the clients he serves. Brandon also has experience with entity formation planning and structuring, tax planning for corporations and the individuals who own them, analysis of financial statements, fraud examinations, tax and GAAP research, and providing accounting training and support to closely-held businesses.
Proactive
Brandon looks to build and maintain relationships throughout all his professional engagements. For him, success is intimately connected to strong relationships. He talks with clients on a regular basis, encouraging honest feedback while also understanding what keeps them up at night. When engaging with clients, prospects or new contacts, Brandon always seeks out clear communication channels.
Outside of the Office
Brandon knows that every day offers new opportunities to succeed. He believes in being a driving force, encouraging his clients and his partners to achieve their goals. While he takes the time to celebrate his clients’ successful endeavors, he is always thinking of ways to raise the bar. Brandon believes that harmony in business and personal relationships can be achieved by working together towards common goals.
Civic Activities
- Special Advisor, Northwest Side Housing Center
Certifications & Licenses
- Certified Fraud Examiner
- Certified Public Accountant
Memberships & Affiliations
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
- Illinois CPA Society
- Upstream Academy Future Leaders Practice Group
Education
- B.A., Accounting, Augustana College
Blogs
Boost Cash Flow With a Fixed Asset or Cost Segregation Study
If you are seeking opportunities to improve your company’s cash flow, consider a fixed asset or cost segregation study. Manufacturing is a capital-intensive industry, so it is critical to ensure that fixed assets are classified properly to recover their costs as quickly as possible. Fixed asset study A fixed asset study examines all depreciable assets […]
Three Ways To Prepare for the Next Supply Chain Disruption
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many manufacturers’ supply chain management efforts focused on reducing costs and increasing efficiency, in some cases at the expense of flexibility and resiliency. But the pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of global supply chains to disruptions caused not only by public health emergencies, but also natural disasters, political unrest, economic volatility and […]
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act: Manufacturing Impacts
On March 27, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (also known as the CARES Act), a $2 trillion stimulus package intended to help mitigate the economic devastation caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The stimulus is good news for manufacturers, many of whom are struggling given the current economic circumstances […]
Creating a Business Plan in Uncertain Times
With the economy in a state of flux because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many manufacturers may need additional financial assistance. A business plan that accurately reflects your business is something every company — manufacturing or not — should have. Now is the time to create or update your business plan to provide company growth expectations […]
Sales Tax After Wayfair: What Manufacturers Need to Know
The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair affects many businesses, including manufacturers, that buy or sell products across state lines. It upheld South Dakota’s “economic nexus” statute that requires certain out-of-state sellers to register for and collect sales tax in the state, even if they lack a physical presence there.
Deducting Travel and Entertainment Expenses with Confidence
When owners, managers and salespeople attend trade shows, call on customers and evaluate suppliers, they may incur travel and entertainment expenses. Here are the rules for deducting these costs, including how they have changed under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Accelerating Depreciation Deductions: A Cost Segregation Study May Reduce Taxes
Businesses that acquire, construct or substantially improve a building may want to consider a cost segregation study. These studies combine accounting and engineering techniques to identify building costs that are properly allocable to tangible personal property rather than real property. The result may allow businesses to accelerate depreciation deductions, thus reducing taxes and boosting cash flow. This article details how a cost segregation study works.
Does Your Business Have a Valid Buy-Sell Agreement in Place?
Owners of manufacturing and distribution companies are often so focused on the here and now that planning for future catastrophes may fall through the cracks, especially if the owners are young and healthy. However, operating without a valid buy-sell agreement is like driving without car insurance. Failure to execute an agreement or to update an […]
Wage Increases: Look Before You Leap
A recent Gallup poll shows that roughly three-quarters of Americans support a minimum wage increase. Factories and warehouses tend to employ a large number of entry-level and low-wage workers. If you are considering a wage increase for your hourly workers, this blog offers some important questions to factor into your decision.
The Ins and Outs of Restaurant Employee Compensation Law
It is vital that restaurant owners be familiar with state and federal employee laws, including those pertaining to minimum wage, tips and overtime. This blog covers a few guiding principles of employer responsibilities which every restaurant owner should be familiar with, or alternatively have a consultant on stand-by for verification.
Sunny Outlook for Distributors
The U.S. warehousing and distribution industry is about to get a whole lot faster, bigger and leaner, according to a recent survey by a telecommunications consulting firm. Yet, as this article explains, many distributors might not take full advantage of this trend because they are decidedly low-tech when it comes to inventory management and other day-to-day operations. Even though the survey indicates that many plan to beef up their technology, they are also planning to reduce their employee-training time. But this could be a costly mistake.
Knowledge is Power: Competitive Intelligence Gives You a Leg Up on Your Rivals
You are constantly looking to best your competition, right? And your strategy to achieve this likely involves looking internally. What can you do to improve your products and services and, ultimately, attract new customers? But does your strategy also call for looking externally? If not, it should. Gathering competitive intelligence can help provide strategic insights into your rivals’ future plans.
Newsletters
Manufacturing and Distribution Group Newsletter – Spring 2023
ORBA’s Manufacturing and Distribution Group’s Spring Newsletter discusses the importance of monitoring work-in-process inventory and advises business owners to take concrete steps to limit employee turnover, considering the significant cost of training as well as less obvious losses.
Manufacturing and Distribution Group Newsletter – Summer 2022
ORBA’s Manufacturing and Distribution Group’s Newsletter looks at issues manufacturers who allow a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy should consider and reviews what ESG is and the benefits of incorporating ESG practices.
Manufacturing and Distribution Group Newsletter – Spring 2021
ORBA’s Manufacturing and Distribution Group’s Spring 2021 Newsletter reviews how manufacturers can potentially lower their company’s state tax liability and covers the Employee Retention Credit under the CARES Act and its expansion by the Consolidated Appropriations Act in late 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021.
Manufacturing and Distribution Group Newsletter – Spring 2020
Our Manufacturing and Distribution Group’s Spring newsletter looks into how amending previous years’ tax returns can possibly free up cash, as well as provides four strategies for closing the skills gap.
Manufacturing and Distribution Group Newsletter – Winter 2020
Our Manufacturing and Distribution Group’s winter newsletter looks into why manufacturers underestimate their R&D expenditures and provides ways to help evaluate and manage the effects on your business.
Manufacturing and Distribution Group Newsletter – Fall 2019
Our Manufacturing and Distribution Group’s fall newsletter includes advice on proper estate planning and succession planning, plus tips for keeping your business’s unemployment insurance costs in check.
Manufacturing and Distribution Group Newsletter – Summer 2019
Our Manufacturing & Distribution Group’s Summer 2019 Newsletter offers tips on how to avoid financial restatements.
Manufacturing and Distribution Group Newsletter – Winter 2019
Our Manufacturing & Distribution Group’s Winter 2019 Newsletter offers five tips for boosting your profits, as well as insight on how tax reform may benefit your company.
Manufacturing and Distribution Group Newsletter – Summer 2018
Vendor Fraud: Know the Warning Signs BRANDON VAHL, CPA, CFE When fraud strikes, the culprit might be sitting in your purchasing department. This department is particularly vulnerable to fraud because of the volume of transactions it processes and the varying pricing and billing policies that vendors use. Phony vendors A common type of purchasing scheme […]
Manufacturing and Distribution Group Newsletter — Spring 2016
ORBA’s Manufacturing and Distribution Group Newsletter is a quarterly publication focused on effective manufacturing and distribution management. The Spring 2016 issue includes two articles, “Strategic Alliances: Leverage Strength and Minimize Weaknesses” and “The Importance of Using Qualified
Employee Benefit Plan Auditors”
Manufacturing and Distribution Group Newsletter – Fall 2014
ORBA’s Manufacturing and Distribution Group Newsletter is a quarterly publication focused on effective manufacturing and distribution management. The Fall 2014 issue includes two articles, Look Who Tops the 2014 Fraud List and Reshoring – A Growing Phenomenon?
Manufacturing & Distribution Group Newsletter – Winter 2012
Welcome to ORBA’s Manufacturing & Distribution Group Newsletter, a quarterly publication focused on effective businesses management for the manufacturers and distributors. This quarter’s newsletter includes two articles. The first article examines the various financing options available through the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help manufacturers and distributors grow their companies. The second article covers the increase in the U.S. oil supply and a little-known law entitled the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the Jones Act.
Client Alerts
More Than $90 Million in Emergency Assistance Available for Illinois Small Businesses
On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Governor Pritzker announced several new emergency assistance programs.
News
CHICAGO — Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest accounting firms, is proud to announce that Greg Koelling, CPA, and Brandon W. Vahl, CPA, CFE have been elected as Directors, effective July 1.