Chicago CPA Firm for S-Corps & Small Businesses
With 18+ years of experience helping business owners across the country, I bring specialized expertise to Chicago’s Finance, Technology, Professional Services economy. Whether you’re managing navigating Chicago’s complex city-level taxes including the personal property lease transaction tax or capitalizing on Chicago’s position as a global financial hub with the CME, CBOE, and 400+ corporate HQs, SDO CPA provides the virtual accounting support your business needs.
We offer cloud-based tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, and fractional CFO services designed for Chicago business owners who want proactive guidance — not just annual tax filing.
Key Takeaways: Chicago CPA Services
- Virtual CPA services — Full tax, bookkeeping, and advisory support without geographic limitations
- Illinois tax expertise — Illinois has a flat 4.95% income tax plus Chicago city-level taxes planning and multi-state compliance
- Industry focus — Specialized experience with Finance, Technology, Professional Services
- Transparent pricing — Upfront estimates starting at $300/month; if scope changes, we discuss it first
- Responsive support — Direct CPA access, same-day responses
Accounting & Tax Services in Chicago, IL
Chicago anchors one of America’s most diversified economies, home to 36 Fortune 500 headquarters including Boeing, United Airlines, Walgreens, and Abbott. The city’s financial sector is globally significant, with the CME Group operating the world’s largest derivatives exchange and firms like Citadel and Morningstar headquartered in the Loop. Along the West Loop and River North corridors, tech startups and professional services firms have created a dense cluster of high-growth businesses that need sophisticated accounting support.
Illinois’s flat 4.95% income tax applies to all pass-through entity income, but Chicago businesses face additional complexity from city-level taxes including the 0.4% personal property lease transaction tax on equipment rentals and the Chicago use tax on goods purchased outside the city. S-Corp owners in the Chicagoland area should evaluate the Illinois PTE election, which can save $5,000-$20,000 for owners earning $200K+ in Illinois-source income. Multi-state nexus is common for Chicago businesses serving customers across the Midwest.
SDO CPA works with Chicago business owners across fintech, professional services, and healthcare to structure entities, optimize S-Corp reasonable compensation, and manage the interplay between federal, state, and Chicago city-level tax obligations. Whether you’re running a SaaS startup in Fulton Market or a consulting firm on Michigan Avenue, we provide monthly bookkeeping and fractional CFO services scaled to your stage of growth.
Illinois Tax Planning Tip
Illinois has a flat 4.95% income tax that applies to all pass-through entity income. S-Corp owners should evaluate Illinois’s pass-through entity tax (PTE) election to work around the federal SALT deduction cap — this can save $5,000-$20,000 for owners with $200K+ in Illinois-source income. Chicago businesses also face the city’s 0.4% personal property lease transaction tax on equipment rentals.
CPA Services for Chicago Businesses
Business Tax Preparation
Federal and Illinois business tax returns for LLCs, S-Corps, partnerships, and sole proprietors.
Bookkeeping & Accounting
Monthly bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, and financial statements using QuickBooks or Xero.
Payroll Services
Full-service payroll processing, tax deposits, and quarterly filings through Gusto integration.
Tax Planning & Strategy
Proactive tax planning to minimize liability through entity selection, retirement contributions, and timing strategies.
Fractional CFO
Cash flow forecasting, budgeting, and financial strategy for growing Chicago businesses.
S-Corp Tax Services
Reasonable compensation analysis, QBI optimization, and S-Corp election guidance for Chicago business owners.
Common Challenges for Chicago Business Owners
Challenge
Chicago businesses often face navigating Chicago’s complex city-level taxes including the personal property lease transaction tax, making tax planning and cash flow management more complex than standard approaches allow.
Our Approach
We provide proactive tax planning and fractional CFO services tailored to Chicago’s business environment, helping you handle Chicago’s complex city-level taxes including the personal property lease transaction tax with confidence.
Challenge
Many Chicago business owners struggle to get timely responses from their CPA, especially during busy seasons when questions are most urgent.
Our Approach
SDO CPA provides direct access to your CPA team with same-day response times. No call centers, no waiting weeks for answers.
Challenge
Tax preparation alone doesn’t help Chicago business owners understand their financial position or make informed decisions throughout the year.
Our Approach
We deliver monthly financial reports with actionable insights, helping you understand cash flow, profitability, and tax liability before year-end.
“SDO CPA helped our Loop-based fintech company navigate Chicago’s unique tax landscape and save $17,000 through proper PTE election and S-Corp structuring.”— Sarah L., Fintech startup founder in Chicago
How to Get Started With SDO CPA
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Book a call to discuss your Chicago business, current financial setup, and goals.
Get Your Custom Proposal
Receive a clear proposal with upfront estimates — if scope changes, we discuss it first.
Seamless Onboarding
We connect to your QuickBooks or Xero and organize your books within 30 days.
Ongoing Partnership
Monthly reports, proactive tax planning, and year-round CPA access.
Why Chicago Business Owners Choose SDO CPA
Illinois Tax Expertise
We understand Illinois has a flat 4.95% income tax plus Chicago city-level taxes and help Chicago businesses maximize tax advantages while managing federal obligations and multi-state complexity.
Transparent Pricing
Clear monthly estimates for standard services. We scope your needs upfront and communicate before any additional work. See our pricing.
Cloud-Based & Virtual
Access your financials anywhere. We work with QuickBooks Online, Xero, Gusto, and Ramp to keep your Chicago business running smoothly.
S-Corp & Partnership Specialists
Our clients are pass-through entity owners. We handle reasonable compensation analysis, K-1 preparation, QBI optimization, and entity selection.
Responsive Communication
Get answers when you need them. Our team responds within one business day, and you’ll have direct access to your CPA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources for Chicago Business Owners
Also Serving Chicagoland
SDO CPA provides virtual CPA services to businesses throughout Chicagoland and Illinois.
Ready to Work With a CPA Who Understands Chicago Businesses?
Schedule your free consultation today. We’ll analyze your tax situation and provide an upfront estimate with no obligation.
Schedule a Call