Northlight Advisory

Accountants & advisers · Chicago

Clear accounts, considered advice.

Bookkeeping, tax and financial advice for owner-run businesses in Chicago — from one accountant who knows your books and answers in plain English.

Arrange a consultationWhat we do
Clear accounts, considered advice.
BookkeepingBusiness taxTax planningManagement accountsFractional CFO

What we do

Five services on fixed monthly fees. Take one, or let them work together as the business grows — the person doing the work is the person you speak to.

1

Bookkeeping

Your accounts reconciled every month in QuickBooks or Xero, so the figures are current whenever you, your bank or the IRS ask for them.

2

Business tax returns

Federal and Illinois returns for LLCs, S corporations and partnerships, prepared early and explained line by line before you sign.

3

Tax planning

A planning meeting before year end, while there is still time to act on estimated payments, entity choice and retirement contributions.

4

Management accounts

A short monthly report — profit and loss, cash position and the few figures that matter most to your business — with a call to walk through it.

5

Fractional CFO

Budgets, cash-flow forecasts and lender conversations for businesses that need finance leadership but not a full-time hire.

Northlight Advisory

A good accountant tells you the number before you need it, not after it has cost you.

A small practice, by design

Northlight Advisory is an accounting practice for owner-run businesses in Chicago — restaurants, studios, contractors and professional firms. We keep the client list small enough that the person who prepares your accounts is the person who picks up the phone.

We work on fixed monthly fees agreed in advance, so a question never comes with a meter running. And we write in plain English: every set of accounts arrives with a short note on what changed, what it means and what, if anything, you should do next.

A small practice, by design

How we work

Four commitments that shape every engagement, from a single tax return to a standing CFO role.

Fees agreed first

You know the monthly cost before we begin, and it covers your questions as well as the work.

One point of contact

The accountant who keeps your books is the one who answers your calls and emails.

Plain-English reporting

Every set of accounts comes with a note on what changed and why it matters.

Planning before deadlines

We meet ahead of year end, not after it, while there is still time to act.

How we begin

Taking on a new client follows the same four steps. The first costs nothing and commits you to nothing.

  1. 1

    An introductory call

    Thirty minutes to understand the business, how its books are kept today and what you need from an accountant.

  2. 2

    A written proposal

    A short letter setting out the work, the monthly fee and exactly what it includes.

  3. 3

    Handover and catch-up

    We collect prior returns and records, reconcile anything outstanding and set the books up the way we will keep them.

  4. 4

    The monthly rhythm

    Books closed each month, a short report and a standing call — with the year-end planning meeting already in the diary.

Tell us about your business.

A few lines on what you do and what you need is enough. We reply within two working days to arrange an introductory call.

Address180 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100, Chicago
Phone(312) 555 0148
Emailoffice@northlightadvisory.com
Opening hours
Monday – Friday
8:30 am – 5:30 pm