1275 North Clybourn Avenue, Chicago
Trusted Chicago Accounting Since 1984
At Checks and Balances, Inc., we help Chicago small businesses, professionals, and families make clear decisions by turning messy books into organized records. From monthly bookkeeping and payroll to tax preparation, planning, and accounting system setup, you get responsive, personal service from a local firm that answers the phone—and gets things done.
We Make Magic out of Numbers!
Community Involvement
Checks and Balances was proud to sponsor Saint Theresa’s Golf Outing in Camp Hill, PA. The event brought together local businesses and community members for a day of camaraderie and friendly competition, all in support of a great cause. We value opportunities like this to give back to the community while building lasting connections both on and off the course.
Comprehensive Accounting Solutions in Chicago
Based in the Near North Side
From our office at 1275 North Clybourn Avenue, we help Chicago owners translate day-to-day transactions into clear, confident decisions. Everything we do is Accurate, Business-focused, and Cost-smart—the ABCs behind our promise to “make magic out of numbers.”
Bookkeeping & Monthly Accounting
Each month we categorize transactions correctly, reconcile every bank and credit-card account, and close your books with clean financial statements—profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow that match reality.
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Tax Preparation & Year-Round Planning
Long before deadlines, we map out quarterly estimates, look for practical deductions, and talk through choices. When a notice arrives, we help you understand it and respond, so filing is straightforward from start to finish.
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Payroll Services for Small Businesses
Payroll has to be right, on time, and compliant—every single run. We set up your payroll, onboard new employees, process regular and off-cycle checks, make tax deposits, and file the returns that keep agencies satisfied.
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Accounting System Setup & Clean-Up
Whether you’re starting fresh or ready to fix what isn’t working, we build an accounting system you can trust. We configure QuickBooks Online, design a chart of accounts that fits your business, connect secure bank feeds, and create rules that speed up categorization without sacrificing accuracy.
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Chicago Accountant with Personal Service.
40+ Years of Making Numbers Behave
Founded in 1984 by Katherine E. Gilbert, Checks and Balances, Inc. blends big-firm know-how with the hands-on care only a local practice can provide. Clients choose us for practical advice, clear communication, and a responsive approach that treats your business like our own.
Why Clients Choose Checks & Balances
Personalized Service Backed by Proven Expertise
When you’re ready, schedule your free consultation and talk to a real person who picks up the phone. We’re local to the Near North Side and serve the Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, River North, and surrounding neighborhoods—bringing big-firm know-how and small-firm responsiveness to every engagement.
Local Expertise
A Chicago team at 1275 North Clybourn Avenue that picks up the phone and follows through.
Decades of Experience
Over 40 years of professional accounting and tax knowledge applied to today’s challenges.
Business-Focused
Right-sized solutions and transparent pricing—no surprises. And a level of service and responsiveness that larger firms simply can’t match.
