Oldenburg Accountants & Advisors

Oldenburg Accountants & Advisors I have a boutique CPA firm serving business owners. I help them structure a tax-advantaged deal when buying or selling the business.

I prepare accurate financial statements and meet regularly with business owners to help them interpret the financials. Since 1991, Oldenburg Accountants & Advisors has been committed to providing reliable, high-quality tax, accounting and advisory services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in northern Illinois and Chicagoland. Our clients are family-owned businesses and often, multi-gen

erational. Oldenburg Accountants & Advisors a small, boutique CPA firm where the owner, Sue Oldenburg, is directly involved with every business owner client. We have a reputation for sustaining long-term relationships with our clients. We work proactively with SME business owners to help them interpret and act upon the financial indicators of their businesses so they can make decisions based on reality instead of operating in the dark. We specialize in assisting our clients to:
--Track profitability by job, customer, product, department or location
--Forecast and improve cash flow
--Benchmark against their peers in their industry
--Determine critical success factors for their particular business
--Establish and measure key performance indicators
--Present financial information to banks to win loans

Owner and founder Susan A. Oldenburg is an experienced business owner with more than twenty-five years in the public accounting industry. As both a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and EA (Enrolled Agent), Sue has a comprehensive knowledge of business planning and monitoring as well as a specialized knowledge of taxation. Under both designations, she has unlimited practice rights and is unrestricted to which taxpayers can be represented before the IRS. When she is not at the office, you can find her reading, listening to music, cooking, spending time with her cat Lizzi and relaxing with friends and family in Door County.

Creating a strong pitch deck can turn a good business idea into an attractive investment opportunity. Keep your presenta...
07/21/2026

Creating a strong pitch deck can turn a good business idea into an attractive investment opportunity. Keep your presentation to investors concise, highlighting your mission, solutions, value proposition, funding needs and growth strategy. Define your target market, revenue model and marketing approach with credible data. And showcase your leadership team’s expertise and achievements. You should also provide reliable financials to support your growth projections. AI tools may help you create a pitch deck, but be sure to personalize content and double-check all numbers. Call us at (847) 263-0303 for help with financial data that can strengthen your overall presentation.

Applying for a business loan can feel like a catch-22. On one side of the desk is the risk-averse lender, who’s willing ...
07/20/2026

Applying for a business loan can feel like a catch-22. On one side of the desk is the risk-averse lender, who’s willing to loan money only to successful business owners. On the other side is the business owner, who needs the funds to grow and be successful! To avoid this paradox, approach a loan as a partnership rather than a provider-customer interaction. After all, if you were going into business with someone, you’d want to clearly understand their vision for the venture. Contact us at (847) 263-0303 for help effectively presenting your business plan and financials to prospective lenders.

The IRS has expanded its Business Tax Account (BTA), making the self-service platform available to partnerships; tax-exe...
07/16/2026

The IRS has expanded its Business Tax Account (BTA), making the self-service platform available to partnerships; tax-exempt organizations; federal, state and local governments; and Indian tribal governments. The BTA is a centralized platform that allows eligible users to manage their federal tax responsibilities online. Among other things, BTA users can view tax balances, make payments and see payment history, access eligible payroll and income transcripts, if eligible, and download select digital notices. The newly eligible entities join sole proprietors, S corporations and C corporations that are already able to access the platform. Call us at (847) 263-0303 to discuss your business’s tax obligations.

There are several benefits to having an estate plan. It can protect your wealth while giving you peace of mind that your...
07/15/2026

There are several benefits to having an estate plan. It can protect your wealth while giving you peace of mind that your assets will be distributed according to your intentions. In addition, it can save taxes, minimize legal complications and family disputes, and reduce expenses for your heirs. Do you have young children? An estate plan is a must so you can name guardians for them in the event of your untimely death. If you’re ready to begin your estate planning journey, or if you’d like us to review your current plan, contact us at (847) 263-0303.

No matter how carefully you run your business, customer disputes will likely happen. You can protect your company’s repu...
07/14/2026

No matter how carefully you run your business, customer disputes will likely happen. You can protect your company’s reputation and strengthen its brand with an effective customer dispute resolution process. Consider including these eight key features: 1) Accessible communication channels, so customers can easily contact you. 2) An efficient timeline that lets customers know what you’re going to do. 3) Empathy and patience on the part of customer-facing staff. 4) Rigorous investigatory techniques. 5) Strong data protection. 6) Proactive follow-ups during investigations. 7) Timely resolution of disputes. 8) Documentation and analysis of incidents so you can continuously improve the process. Call us at (847) 263-0303 to discuss the financial impact of customer disputes.

Roth IRA and Roth 401(k) accounts help you save for retirement with after-tax dollars. Both accounts grow tax-free, and ...
07/13/2026

Roth IRA and Roth 401(k) accounts help you save for retirement with after-tax dollars. Both accounts grow tax-free, and distributions are also tax-free if you meet certain conditions. However, higher earners may be ineligible to contribute to a Roth IRA. Income limits don’t apply to Roth 401(k)s, which also allow higher annual contributions. If you’re unsure where to put your retirement savings, contact us at (847) 263-0303 for more information on the tax considerations.

In general, companies can deduct rent as a business expense on their federal tax return. However, several rules limit th...
07/09/2026

In general, companies can deduct rent as a business expense on their federal tax return. However, several rules limit this tax break. For example, payments made under a conditional sales contract aren’t deductible as rent. And you can’t deduct “unreasonable” rent. This means it’s higher than market value, such as inflated rent paid to a “related person.” If you pay in advance, you can only deduct rent that applies to your use of the property during the tax year. (You’ll be able to deduct the rest in the year to which the payment applies.) On the other hand, you can usually deduct expenses you’ve paid to cancel a business lease. For help identifying deductible expenses, contact us at (847) 263-0303.

IRS penalties can add up quickly. Fortunately, some taxpayers may qualify for penalty relief. There are three main types...
07/08/2026

IRS penalties can add up quickly. Fortunately, some taxpayers may qualify for penalty relief. There are three main types of relief: 1) first-time penalty abatement for taxpayers with a strong compliance history, 2) reasonable cause relief for situations such as serious illness or natural disasters, and 3) statutory exceptions. These exceptions generally apply to penalties resulting from erroneous written IRS advice or to taxpayers affected by certain federally declared disasters or involved in military combat-zone operations. If the IRS has assessed a penalty on your account, contact us at (847) 263-0303. We can help determine whether you qualify for penalty relief.

Many experts are now urging business owners to view cyberattacks as more of a certainty than a possibility. Why? Because...
07/07/2026

Many experts are now urging business owners to view cyberattacks as more of a certainty than a possibility. Why? Because they seem to be happening to just about every company in one way or another. What can your small-to-midsize business do to protect itself? First and foremost, you need a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that accounts for not only your technology, but also your people, processes and as many known external threats as possible. The good news is there are free resources available online, such as policy templates and program frameworks. However, you may need to invest in an IT consultant for customized assistance. For help managing your technology costs, contact us at (847) 263-0303.

Many small business owners find the concept of risk management intimidating. But essentially, it’s about identifying pot...
07/06/2026

Many small business owners find the concept of risk management intimidating. But essentially, it’s about identifying potential disruptions and making practical plans to guard against them. From cash flow slowdowns to staffing shortages, every business faces uncertainty. The key is being prepared, not overwhelmed. Call us at (847) 263-0303 for help reviewing your current risks, spotting emerging challenges, and making informed decisions that support long-term stability and growth.

Address

100 N Atkinson Road, Suite 106
Grayslake, IL
60030

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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