Start Smart, Stay Compliant in Ottawa, IL
New Business Formation Services
Helping local entrepreneurs lay the groundwork for success
Starting a new business comes with a long to-do list—and it’s easy to miss something important. That’s where we come in. We help new business owners across Ottawa, Marseilles, Utica, and nearby towns set up their business structure, register with the right agencies, and build a financial foundation that makes sense from day one.
Whether you’re launching a solo venture, forming an LLC, or hiring your first employee, we’ll walk you through the steps and explain everything in plain English. You don’t need to know all the answers—we’re here to help you ask the right questions.
Entity Selection & Setup
Choosing the right type of business—LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, S-corp—can affect your taxes, legal liability, and future growth. We’ll explain the pros and cons of each option and help you file the paperwork to make it official. Start with confidence and the right structure.
What You Can Expect:
- Guidance on entity types & tax implications
- State & IRS registration assistance
- EIN application & setup support
Accounting & Bookkeeping Setup
We’ll help you get your financial system in place—whether it’s setting up QuickBooks, organizing your chart of accounts, or just building good habits from the start. Clean records from day one = less stress later. Don’t wait until tax time to get organized.
What You Can Expect:
- Initial bookkeeping system setup
- Chart of accounts tailored to your business
- Guidance on tracking income & expenses
Ongoing Support for New Owners
You’ll have questions—we expect it. We’re happy to help with early decisions about payroll, estimated taxes, licensing, and more. Think of us as your go-to advisor for all the little things you don’t want to Google. We’re here as your business grows.
What You Can Expect:
- Practical advice from a local team
- Year-round access via phone, email, or walk-in
- Experience with Ottawa-area startups & solo owners
Why Ottawa-area Entrepreneurs Trust Us To Help Them Launch
We simplify the process
No jargon, no runaround—just clear steps to get you set up legally and financially.
We know local business
We’ve helped start-ups across Ottawa, from service businesses to contractors, consultants & shops.
We don’t oversell
We’ll only recommend what you actually need to get started—no pressure, just honest advice.
We’re in it for the long haul
When you’re ready to grow, we’ll still be here—handling your accounting, payroll & tax needs.
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What kind of business entity should I choose?
A compilation is a straightforward presentation of your financials with no assurance. A review adds limited assurance through CPA-led inquiry and analysis—but it’s not as in-depth as an audit.
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Will you help with IRS and state registration?
If your bank, grantor, investor, or board is asking for CPA-prepared financials, you likely need one of these. They’re common for nonprofits, growing businesses, and loan applications.
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Do I need to set up payroll right away?
If you’re hiring employees or even paying yourself in certain structures (like S-corps), yes. We’ll help determine what’s required and get it running.
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How long does it take?
Most reports can be turned around within a few weeks, depending on how quickly we receive your financial data and what level of service is required.
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What if I already started the process but feel lost?
That’s common—and we can still help. Bring in what you’ve got, and we’ll help you clean it up and move forward with clarity.
