Chicago, IL · Certified Public Accountants
Find a Certified Public Accountant in Chicago, IL
Certified Public Accountants are licensed by the state and can represent you before the IRS, sign audited financial statements, and advise on complex tax and business matters. Compare CPAs by specialty, industry, and fee structure. Serving Chicago, IL and the surrounding region — Chicago accountants serve professional services, manufacturing, logistics, and the Midwest's largest corporate base.
Why Chicago clients hire cpas
Local context for certified public accountants in Chicago, IL
Dominant local industries
- Manufacturing & industrial
- Logistics & transportation
- Professional services
- Financial services & trading
- Restaurants & hospitality
Illinois tax climate
Illinois has a flat 4.95% personal income tax and a 9.5% combined corporate income tax (including the personal property replacement tax). Chicago adds local employer-side payroll considerations. The state's PTET election is commonly used for partnerships and S-corps.
Key local deadline
Mar 15
IL pass-through entity tax (PTET) and partnership / S-corp (IL-1065 / IL-1120-ST) returns due.
When to hire
- Your tax situation involves more than a standard W-2 and deduction
- You need financial statements signed for a lender, investor, or regulator
- You're starting, buying, selling, or restructuring a business
- You've received an IRS or state notice you don't fully understand
- You want proactive tax planning, not just annual filing
What they do
- Prepare and sign individual, business, and entity tax returns
- Perform audit, review, and compilation engagements
- Represent clients before the IRS in audits, appeals, and collections
- Advise on entity structure, tax strategy, and financial planning
- Maintain a state license with ongoing continuing-education requirements
Typical fees
What it costs
Low end
$200
per hour
High end
$600+
per hour
Notes
Flat-fee individual returns typically run $300–$800. Business returns run $600–$2,500. Monthly advisory or bookkeeping-plus-tax retainers start around $500 and scale with complexity.
Compare
CPA vs Bookkeeper
| Factor | CPA | Bookkeeper |
|---|---|---|
| Licensure | State-licensed, passed CPA exam | No license required |
| Scope | Tax, audit, advisory, financial reporting | Transaction recording, reconciliation |
| IRS representation | Unlimited | None |
| Signs audited financials | Yes | No |
| Typical cost | $200–$600+/hr | $40–$100/hr equivalent |
Questions to ask
- What's your state license number, and which board issued it?
- What industries or client types make up most of your practice?
- Do you personally do the work, or does it go to junior staff?
- How do you bill — hourly, flat fee, or retainer?
- What happens if I get audited after you file my return?
- How responsive are you outside of tax season?
Red flags
- Won't provide a verifiable state license number
- Guarantees a specific refund before reviewing your documents
- Wants refunds deposited to their account, not yours
- No written engagement letter
- Pricing far below market with no explanation of what's excluded
Documents to prepare
- Prior 2–3 years of tax returns
- Current-year income documents (W-2s, 1099s, K-1s)
- Business financials, if applicable
- Any IRS or state notices received
- List of major life or business events from the past year
By city
Certified Public Accountants in Chicago in major U.S. cities
Related
Other specialties you might need
Verified directory
Certified Public Accountants serving Chicago, IL
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FAQ
Certified Public Accountants in Chicago — common questions
How much does certified public accountants cost in Chicago?+
Chicago certified public accountants typically charge $200–$600+ per hour. Flat-fee individual returns typically run $300–$800. Business returns run $600–$2,500. Monthly advisory or bookkeeping-plus-tax retainers start around $500 and scale with complexity.
Do I need a Illinois-licensed CPA to work with a certified public accountants in Chicago?+
For Illinois state filings, your preparer should hold a CPA license from the Illinois Board of Accountancy or be an Enrolled Agent. Out-of-state pros can prepare your federal return but should not sign as a CPA on Illinois returns. Illinois has a flat 4.95% personal income tax and a 9.5% combined corporate income tax (including the personal property replacement tax).
What makes a CPA different from a regular accountant?+
A CPA has passed the Uniform CPA Exam, holds an active state license, and meets ongoing continuing-education requirements. Any CPA is an accountant, but not every accountant is a licensed CPA.
How do I check if a CPA's license is real and active?+
Every state board of accountancy maintains a public license lookup. A legitimate CPA will readily share their license number so you can verify it in under a minute.
Do I need a CPA, or would a bookkeeper or tax preparer be enough?+
For straightforward returns, a preparer may suffice. For business ownership, audit needs, IRS representation, or complex tax situations, a CPA's license and scope of practice matter.
How much does a CPA typically charge?+
Hourly rates run $200–$600+. Flat-fee individual returns run $300–$800; business returns run $600–$2,500. Monthly advisory retainers typically start around $500.
Can a CPA represent me if I'm audited?+
Yes — CPAs have unlimited representation rights before the IRS, covering audits, appeals, and collection matters, whether or not they prepared the original return.
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2026 CPA Pricing Guide
Real fee benchmarks for tax prep, bookkeeping, payroll, and advisory — by service and business type.
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The CPA's December playbook — practical strategies to reduce your tax bill before the year closes.
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Tax & Bookkeeping Resource Library
Our complete advisor-grade collection — every premium asset an owner needs to run clean books, lower taxes, and recover messy ledgers, in one bundle.