HL
Halsted Ledger
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What we do

Full-service accounting, built for small businesses.

We cover the full financial picture — from day-to-day bookkeeping to long-term planning — so you can run your business without worrying about the numbers.

Tax Preparation

What's included

  • Business and personal returns (1040, 1120-S, 1065, 1120)
  • Quarterly estimated tax payment calculations
  • W-2 and 1099 preparation and filing
  • State and local returns for Illinois and neighboring states
  • Prior-year amendment filings
  • Audit representation and IRS correspondence

Who it's for

Sole proprietors, LLCs, S-corps, partnerships, and individuals with complex situations — including real estate, investments, or multiple income streams.

Typical engagement

Annual engagement, with quarterly check-ins during peak filing season (January through April).

Bookkeeping

What's included

  • Monthly bank and credit card reconciliation
  • Profit & loss and balance sheet statements
  • Accounts payable and receivable tracking
  • Payroll ledger maintenance and review
  • Chart of accounts setup and optimization
  • Year-end close and clean books for tax prep

Who it's for

Businesses generating $100K–$5M in annual revenue who need reliable monthly financials without the cost of a full-time bookkeeper or controller.

Typical engagement

Ongoing monthly retainer. Most clients are fully set up within 30 days.

Business Advisory

What's included

  • Entity structure review (LLC vs. S-corp vs. C-corp)
  • Annual financial strategy and goal-setting sessions
  • Cash flow modeling and runway analysis
  • Growth, acquisition, and exit planning
  • Tax minimization strategy
  • Vendor and contract financial review

Who it's for

Established businesses looking for a thinking partner, not just a tax preparer. Best for owners making decisions about structure, growth, or eventual sale.

Typical engagement

Quarterly advisory sessions with on-call availability between meetings. Initial onboarding takes one to two months.

Estate Planning

What's included

  • Trust and will coordination with your estate attorney
  • Beneficiary designation review across all accounts
  • Retirement account distribution strategy
  • Annual gift tax planning and exclusion tracking
  • Business succession planning
  • Asset titling and re-titling review

Who it's for

Business owners with significant assets, individuals approaching retirement, or anyone concerned about efficient, tax-advantaged wealth transfer to the next generation.

Typical engagement

One-time initial engagement (six to eight weeks) followed by an annual review. Ongoing advisory available.

Not sure which service fits?

Most clients come to us with a mix of needs. Let's talk — a free consultation is the best place to start.

Book a free consultation →