CJBS

10/23/2026

NIL income can add up quickly. So can the financial questions that come with it.

For athletes earning money through sponsorships, appearances, social media or brand partnerships, a few things are worth getting organized early:

• Track every source of income
• Keep business and personal spending separate
• Save for taxes as money comes in
• Keep receipts and records for legitimate business expenses
• Pay attention to income earned in different states
• Think about retirement and long-term savings earlier than you might expect
• Revisit your business structure as income grows

For many college athletes, this is the first time they’re managing income like a business owner.

Our latest article breaks down what to keep an eye on and where an accountant can help.

Read more: https://cjbs.com/athletes-are-content-creators-now-what-nil-means-for-the-business-behind-your-brand/

10/21/2026

For college athletes with an NIL deal who are building a following, income can start coming from all kinds of places: sponsorships, appearances, social media, free products and other opportunities tied to their name and brand.

Before long, there are taxes to think about, expenses to track and decisions to make about what to do with the money coming in.

And for a lot of young athletes, this may be the first time they’ve ever had to think about any of it.

Our latest article walks through some of the financial basics that can help: keeping business and personal spending separate, tracking income and expenses, planning for taxes, understanding multistate income and starting to think about saving for the future.

If you’re an athlete earning NIL income, or you’re helping one navigate it, this is a good place to start.

Read more:

Making Money on Social Media? 8 Things Your Accountant Wants You to Know CJBS August 25, 2026 7 MIN READ Tags: Accounting News, Influencer Building an audience online can turn into a business faster than many creators expect. As brand deals multiply and platform revenue becomes more consistent, crea...

10/19/2026

Nothing brings out a little friendly competition quite like a chili cook-off. 🌶️

The CJBS team recently put their recipes to the test, and after plenty of tasting and judging, Andrew Lotts came out on top. 🏆

Congratulations to Andrew on earning this year’s bragging rights, and thank you to everyone who brought a pot, grabbed a bowl and joined in!!

10/16/2026

Most businesses don’t wake up one morning and decide they want an audit.

Usually, something prompts the question. A lender requests audited financials, an investor wants a clearer picture of the company, or the business has grown enough that its accounting processes deserve a closer look.

But a full audit isn’t always the answer.

Depending on what you’re trying to accomplish, a review or compilation may provide what you need with a different level of assurance and scope.

Our latest article breaks down the differences between audits, reviews and compilations, along with some of the situations that may signal it’s time to talk with your CPA about your financial reporting.

If your business is approaching financing, a transaction, a period of growth or another major change, it’s worth understanding your options before someone else tells you what they require.

Read the full article on the CJBS website. https://cjbs.com/does-your-business-need-an-audit-a-closer-look-at-audits-reviews-and-compilations/

10/14/2026

A day away from the office, spent giving back. 💙

Our CJBS team recently participated in the CPA Day of Service, volunteering with the Northern Illinois Food Bank to help support families and communities across the region.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to work alongside one another in a different way and contribute to an organization doing important work throughout Northern Illinois.

Thank you to everyone on the CJBS team who volunteered their time and helped make the day a meaningful one!

10/12/2026

We had a great time meeting the next generation of accounting professionals at UIC’s Fall Meet the Firms Career Fair!

From internships and first jobs to what a day at CJBS actually looks like, our team enjoyed talking with students about where a career in accounting can take them and what they’re looking for as they get started.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by the CJBS table to say hello, ask questions, and learn more about opportunities with our team.

Here are a few photos from the day. We are looking forward to our upcoming tax internship program!

10/09/2026

Seeing revenue grow is encouraging, but it is worth looking at what is happening underneath that top-line number.

As a business grows, labor costs may increase, materials can become more expensive, overhead can expand and discounting may start to affect profitability. That means a strong sales year can look very different once you dig into gross margin and operating expenses.

Reviewing margins regularly can help business owners understand where growth is translating into stronger profitability and where rising costs may be absorbing more of that revenue than expected.

It can also help identify whether certain products, services, customers or locations are performing differently from the rest of the business.

If revenue is growing but profitability is not moving with it, it may be time for a closer look at where the difference is coming from. Talk with your CJBS advisor about what your margins are telling you.

10/07/2026

Please join us in welcoming My Pham, one of the newest Associates at CJBS!

My graduated from Elmhurst University in May with a degree in Accounting and joined our team in July as a tax associate.

Her interest in tax grew through two internships, and she’s now focused on building her technical experience, learning from the team around her and growing into a well-rounded tax professional.

My also took a pretty big leap to get here. Originally from Vietnam, she moved to the United States at 19 to pursue her college education and has now begun her professional career here in Illinois.

We’re happy to have her bringing that same drive and willingness to learn to CJBS.

Welcome to the team, My!

Learn more about My: https://cjbs.com/our-team/my-pham/

10/05/2026

What does good collaboration look like inside an accounting firm?

For us, it often means a client question does not stay with one person.

Someone may begin by talking with their usual CJBS advisor and, depending on what they are working through, that advisor can pull in a colleague with experience in valuation, audit, tax, forensic accounting or a particular industry.

That team approach becomes especially valuable as businesses grow and their needs become more complex. The person who has known the client for years can stay involved while bringing additional expertise into the room when it is useful.

It also means our own team members are constantly learning from one another. A question in the hallway, a second opinion on an issue or a quick introduction to someone with deeper experience can make the entire team stronger.

Clients may have one primary relationship at CJBS, but there is a much larger team behind it.

10/02/2026

One of the benefits of working with businesses across so many different industries is seeing how often the same challenges show up in very different places.

A manufacturer may be thinking about how to grow without adding too much complexity. A medical practice may be figuring out how to bring in another provider. A real estate company may be evaluating its next investment, while a cannabis operator is adapting to a market that seems to change constantly.

The details are different, but many of the bigger questions are familiar: When is it time to invest? Where should we be more cautious? What needs to change before we grow again? Who should be part of the decision?

Working across industries gives our team a broader perspective on how businesses approach those questions and what tends to help companies navigate periods of change successfully.

It is one of the things that keeps the work interesting at CJBS. There is always something new to learn, and often something learned in one industry that can make us better advisors in another.