Susan S. Lewis, Ltd. operates as a full-service certified public accounting firm serving individuals and businesses from its base in the Chicago metropolitan area. Founded in 1986 by Susan S. Lewis, the practice has evolved from a home-based operation into an established accounting firm occupying a 5,000 square foot facility in Naperville, Illinois. The firm positions itself within the professional services sector, specifically targeting small to mid-sized businesses and individual taxpayers seeking comprehensive financial management solutions.

The service portfolio encompasses traditional CPA offerings including income tax preparation, tax planning, bookkeeping, auditing, and financial statement preparation. Beyond basic accounting functions, the firm provides specialized services such as estate and trust tax management, merger and acquisition support, business liquidations and reorganizations, and state and local tax compliance. Each service category integrates with others to create comprehensive financial management packages tailored to client needs rather than standardized offerings.

Tax services form the foundation of the practice, addressing both individual and business filing requirements. The firm handles personal income tax returns for approximately 3,000 individual clients nationwide, while also managing corporate tax obligations for over 1,000 business entities. Tax planning services extend beyond annual filing to include year-round strategies for minimizing liability through deduction optimization, investment guidance, and structural recommendations. Estate and trust tax services address the complexities of fiduciary responsibilities and wealth transfer planning.

Industry specialization distinguishes the firm's approach to business clients. Healthcare sector services cater to sole practitioners, multi-professional groups, specialty practices, surgical centers, and medical clinics. The team navigates healthcare-specific challenges including Medicare/Medicaid compliance, HIPAA requirements, complex reimbursement systems, and the management of large volumes of financial data inherent to medical practices. Construction industry expertise addresses job costing, long-term contract accounting, and the unique revenue recognition requirements of building trades.

Startup support services recognize the distinct needs of emerging businesses. The firm assists entrepreneurs with business structure selection, burn rate monitoring, cash flow management, and investor preparation materials. Their approach scales from initial entity formation through growth phases, providing continuity as startups evolve into established operations. Franchise accounting addresses the specific reporting requirements and operational metrics unique to franchise businesses, with particular depth in quick-service restaurant operations evidenced by their management of 53 Wendy's franchise locations.

The professional team includes several long-tenured staff members bringing specialized expertise to client engagements. Diane Williams, who joined in 1993 after beginning her career with Coopers & Lybrand, manages the financial planning and investment advisory division. She holds CPA certification along with Series 6, 63, and 65 securities licenses, plus health and life insurance credentials. Dianne, with the firm since 2006, specializes in monthly accounting, financial statement preparation, and QuickBooks training for small business clients. Cyndi brings over 25 years of experience focusing on payroll and sales tax preparation.

Technology integration enables the firm to serve clients beyond the Chicago area, with remote accounting capabilities supporting nationwide operations. The technology stack includes QuickBooks and other accounting software platforms, allowing digital document management and real-time financial reporting access. This infrastructure supports the firm's ability to maintain client relationships across multiple states while preserving the personalized service approach of a regional practice.

Notable client relationships include four national radio personalities, two Chicago-area NBC/ABC weathermen, and the extensive Wendy's franchise network. These high-profile engagements demonstrate the firm's capacity to handle complex financial situations requiring discretion and sophisticated tax strategies. Despite serving prominent clients, Susan Lewis emphasizes maintaining a family and friend-oriented firm culture that prioritizes personal relationships over transactional interactions.

Client feedback presents a mixed picture of service delivery. Positive reviews highlight the firm's knowledge, professionalism, and long-term client relationships spanning decades. One client mentions driving from Rockford annually for tax services over a 20-year period, while another praises the firm for correcting previous preparers' errors resulting in additional refunds. Negative reviews cite communication issues, delayed filing, and inconsistent service quality, with some clients reporting weeks without responses and tax returns remaining unfiled months after deadlines.

Bookkeeping services target small and mid-sized businesses seeking to outsource financial record management. The firm provides monthly financial statements, balance sheets, cash flow analyses, bank reconciliations, and customized reporting. Budget development and financial forecasting integrate with ongoing bookkeeping to provide forward-looking guidance alongside historical record-keeping. The service model positions outsourced bookkeeping as more cost-effective than maintaining in-house accounting staff.

Audit and assurance services include comprehensive financial statement examinations, internal control evaluations, and compliance verification. The firm serves as an independent auditor for banking relationships, bonding companies, and credit applications. These services particularly benefit non-profit organizations navigating complex regulatory requirements and construction companies managing bonding capacity for project bidding.

Pricing structures vary based on service complexity and engagement scope, with hourly rates ranging from $90 to $300 depending on the expertise required. The firm operates on both hourly billing and fixed-fee arrangements, determining appropriate structures during initial consultations. Contact methods include phone communication at (630) 864-5549 or (630) 552-6531, with the primary office located at 1064 104th Street in Naperville.

For Chicago-area businesses and individuals seeking comprehensive accounting services, Susan S. Lewis, Ltd. presents an established option with nearly four decades of operational history. The combination of industry specializations, long-term staff stability, and nationwide service capabilities creates a practice capable of handling diverse financial management needs. While client experiences vary, the firm's longevity and substantial client base suggest sustained market confidence in their service delivery, particularly among those seeking personalized attention from a regional CPA firm rather than national accounting corporations.

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