Bookkeeping Services in Chicago, IL
Accurate, reliable and stress-free bookkeeping for Chicago businesses and nonprofits. We reconcile your accounts, close your books every month and keep you tax-ready all year.
What you get every month
- Every transaction categorized and reviewed
- Bank and credit card accounts reconciled
- Profit and loss and balance sheet you can read
- Bills and customer payments tracked
- Payroll and sales tax records kept in sync
- Books ready for tax time, all year
Certified on the platforms our clients use
Books you can trust, without doing them yourself
Most business owners do not fall behind on bookkeeping because they are careless. They fall behind because the business keeps them busy. Receipts pile up, bank feeds go unreviewed and by tax time nobody is sure which numbers are right.
Heard & Associates LLC takes that work off your plate. Our team records and reviews every transaction, reconciles your accounts each month and sends you reports that show where your business actually stands. Most clients start with our monthly bookkeeping service and add payroll or tax support as they grow.
Because we also handle tax services and payroll, your books, payroll and returns all come from the same set of numbers. That means fewer errors, fewer surprises and a much easier tax season.
Bookkeeping services for Chicago businesses
Every business keeps its books a little differently. We tailor the work to your goals, your industry and the software you already use.
Monthly Bookkeeping
Every transaction recorded, categorized and reviewed each month, with a profit and loss statement and balance sheet delivered once the month is closed.
Monthly bookkeeping →Bank and Credit Card Reconciliation
We match your books to every bank, credit card and loan statement so missing deposits, duplicate charges and errors are caught early, not at tax time.
Reconciliation services →Catch-Up and Cleanup Bookkeeping
Months or years behind? We rebuild your records, fix miscategorized transactions and get you to a clean starting point before monthly service begins.
Bookkeeping cleanup →QuickBooks Setup and Support
Setup, data migration and ongoing support for QuickBooks Online, with bank feeds, rules and a chart of accounts built around how your business works.
QuickBooks services →S Corporation Bookkeeping
Clean books for S corps, including owner draws, reasonable salary tracking and the records your 1120-S return depends on.
S corp bookkeeping →Payables, Receivables and Payroll
We track the bills you owe and the invoices you are owed, and keep payroll records tied to your books so cash flow is always visible.
Payroll services →How bookkeeping with us works
A simple four-step start, then a steady monthly rhythm you can count on.
Discovery call
We learn how your business runs, which accounts you use and where your books stand today.
Clear proposal
You get a scope of work and a monthly fee based on your transaction volume and needs.
Setup and cleanup
We connect your accounts, organize your chart of accounts and clean up any backlog.
Monthly close
Each month we reconcile, review and send reports, then check in on anything unusual.
Bookkeeping built around Illinois rules
Good books are not just about knowing your profit. Illinois businesses that sell taxable goods file sales and use tax returns on Form ST-1, and the state sets your filing frequency based on how much tax you collect. Employers also report Illinois withholding and unemployment insurance every quarter.
Chicago adds its own layer, such as the restaurant tax for food and beverage businesses and the lease transaction tax that applies to many cloud software subscriptions. We keep these amounts recorded separately so your filings match your books and nothing is left for year-end.
What to look for in a Chicago bookkeeper
Whether you outsource or hire in-house, these are the qualities that keep your books reliable.
Expertise
Accuracy
Communication
Flexibility
Security
Cloud bookkeeping on the software you already use
You can see your numbers any time, not just at year-end. We work inside secure cloud platforms, connect your bank, POS and payroll systems, and train your team so everyone is working from the same books.
- QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop
- Xero
- NetSuite
- FreshBooks
- Ambrook for farm and ranch businesses
- Bank feeds, POS and payroll integrations
Switching software or behind on your books?
We handle setup, data migration and cleanup so you start monthly bookkeeping with accurate opening balances.
If your books are months behind, our catch-up and cleanup service gets you current first.
Talk to a bookkeeper →Bookkeeping for Chicago industries
Each industry tracks money differently, from job costing in construction to restricted funds for nonprofits. We set up your books to match.
Rated 5.0 by 100+ clients on Google
Chicago business owners and nonprofits trust us to keep their books accurate, explain the numbers clearly and stay responsive all year.
Bookkeeping questions
Every business is different. If your question is not here, ask us during a consultation.
Book a consultation →What does a bookkeeper do for a small business?
A bookkeeper records and categorizes your transactions, reconciles your bank and credit card accounts, tracks bills and customer payments, and prepares monthly financial statements. The result is a set of accurate books you can use to make decisions and hand to your tax preparer.
What is the difference between bookkeeping and accounting?
Bookkeeping is the day-to-day recording and reconciling of transactions. Accounting uses those records to analyze performance, plan for taxes and prepare returns. We offer both, so your bookkeeping feeds straight into our accounting services and tax work.
Should I hire an in-house bookkeeper or outsource?
An in-house bookkeeper means salary, benefits, payroll taxes, training and coverage when they are out. Outsourcing gives you a trained team and a second level of review for one monthly fee. Most small and mid-sized Chicago businesses do not have enough volume to justify a full-time hire.
How much do bookkeeping services cost in Chicago?
It depends on your transaction volume, the number of accounts, whether payroll is included and how far behind the books are. After a consultation we quote a monthly fee based on your actual needs, so you know the cost before work begins.
Can you catch up books that are months or years behind?
Yes. Our bookkeeping cleanup service rebuilds past months from bank statements and records, fixes errors and reconciles every account. Once you are current, we move you to monthly bookkeeping so it does not happen again.
What software do you work with?
We work in QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Xero, NetSuite, FreshBooks and Ambrook, and connect them to your bank, POS and payroll systems. If you are not using any software yet, we will recommend one and set it up for you.
Do you offer bookkeeping for nonprofits?
Yes. We track restricted and unrestricted funds, grants and donations, and keep records ready for your Form 990 filing. Learn more on our nonprofit services page.
Can you also prepare my business taxes?
Yes. Because we already keep your books, we can prepare your business tax returns without the back and forth of handing records to another firm. We can also work alongside your current tax preparer if you prefer.
Do I need to be located in Chicago?
No. We serve businesses across Chicago, from the Loop to the South Side, and work with clients throughout Illinois. Our team also has an office in Olympia Fields for south suburban clients, and most bookkeeping work is handled securely online.
Ready for books you can rely on?
Book a consultation and we will review where your books stand, what you need each month and how we can help.