Business Details
18 Years
experience
Expert Accounting & Tax Services in McHenry, IL
At Piwonka, CPA, we combine decades of accounting expertise with a commitment to personalized service. Our team of certified professionals brings extensive experience from diverse accounting environments, including roles at national firms and specialized tax departments. We prioritize accuracy through a rigorous two-step review process for all tax returns, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations. Our services span tax preparation, business consulting, and financial reporting, tailored to meet the unique needs of small businesses and individuals.We emphasize proactive client education, offering strategic guidance on tax implications for life events, business decisions, and compliance requirements. With a focus on community engagement and professional development, we maintain active memberships in organizations like AICPA and ICPAS while supporting local volunteer initiatives. Our approach balances technical precision with accessible communication, helping clients navigate complex financial landscapes with confidence.
Services
Tax Preparation
Bookkeeping
Payroll Services
Business Consulting
Tax Minimization
Financial Reporting
Start-Up Assistance
Tax Consultations
Estate Tax Services
Sales Tax Compliance
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- We implement a patented two-reviewer process for tax return accuracy.
- Our team holds active CPA licenses in Illinois and Wisconsin.
- We provide proactive tax planning consultations for life events.
- Our firm maintains active memberships in major accounting societies.
- We offer specialized expertise in real estate partnership taxation.
Associations and certifications
- AICPA
- ICPAS
Services
Tax Preparation
Comprehensive federal and state tax preparation for individuals and businesses, including corporate returns, partnership filings, and nonprofit Form 990 submissions. Our process includes detailed review of income sources, deductions, and credits to ensure compliance while minimizing liability. Services cover year-end payroll reporting (W-2s, 1099s) and multi-state tax requirements.
Bookkeeping
Ongoing bookkeeping services including accounts payable/receivable management, payroll tax deposits, and financial statement preparation. We maintain accurate general ledgers with client-approved adjustments, producing compiled balance sheets and cash flow statements. Systems support QuickBooks and Peachtree software platforms for seamless integration.
Business Consulting
Strategic guidance for business decisions including entity selection, tax implications of real estate transactions, and compliance requirements. Services include financial forecasting, lease/loan analysis, and sales tax obligation assessments for online sellers and multi-state operations. We help clients understand self-employment tax obligations and estimated payment requirements.
Payroll Services
Full-service payroll management covering tax deposit calculations, Form 941 filings, and year-end reporting. We handle payroll tax remittances, W-2/1099-MISC preparation, and compliance with federal and state wage reporting requirements. Services integrate with accounting systems to ensure accurate financial recordkeeping.
Tax Consultations
Personalized tax planning sessions addressing inheritance impacts, lawsuit settlements, and business structure changes. We provide mid-year projections to prevent underpayment penalties and guidance on cryptocurrency transactions, Airbnb operations, and online sales tax obligations. Consultations help clients anticipate tax consequences before major financial decisions.
People
Krista M. Piwonka
Founder & CEO
CPA with 20+ years experience, former Altschuler Melvoin & Glassier senior accountant. Specializes in real estate due diligence and small business taxation. Active AICPA member and three-time Presidential Volunteer Service Award recipient.
Laura Cicero
CPA, MST
Tax specialist with 15+ years at Miller Cooper & Co. Focus on real estate partnerships and individual tax planning. Holds Master of Science in Taxation degree from Northern Illinois University.
Sara Zelek
Associate
Bookkeeping expert with diverse industry experience including manufacturing and emergency services. Manages payroll processing and tax return preparation while leveraging operational insights from prior business management roles.
Questions
What accounting services do you offer for small businesses?
We provide bookkeeping, payroll processing, financial reporting, tax preparation, and business consulting tailored to small business needs.
How do you ensure tax return accuracy?
Every tax return undergoes a mandatory two-reviewer process to verify calculations and compliance with current regulations.
Do you handle multi-state tax requirements?
Yes, we specialize in preparing returns for businesses operating across state lines with proper income allocation.
Can you assist with new business formation?
We provide entity selection guidance and registration assistance for new businesses, coordinating with legal professionals as needed.
How should clients organize tax documents?
We recommend using our tax organizer checklist and submitting documents early through our secure portal to streamline processing.