The greater Chicago area is home to six firms in the IPA Top 25, giving businesses in the region one of the deepest concentrations of large-firm accounting talent outside New York. For businesses managing multi-state operations, this concentration of expertise matters—especially when sales tax compliance demands accuracy across thousands of jurisdictions. Whether you need traditional audit and advisory services or specialized state and local tax (SALT) support, selecting the right firm can mean the difference between confident growth and compliance headaches.
We analyzed revenue data, service capabilities, and sales tax expertise to identify the 15 best accounting firms serving Chicago businesses—from billion-dollar national powerhouses to specialized boutiques with deep local knowledge.
Key takeaways
- RSM US LLP leads as the largest Chicago-headquartered firm with over $4.0 billion in revenue, offering middle-market focus with national resources
- Porte Brown LLC and Barnes Dennig stand out for dedicated SALT practices, including sales tax nexus reviews and multi-state compliance—critical for e-commerce and omni-channel businesses
- Regional leaders like Warady & Davis deliver 75+ years of Chicago-focused service with partner-level attention that national firms often can’t match
- Sales tax complexity requires specialized support beyond general accounting—firms with SALT expertise or partnerships with managed compliance providers offer the most complete solutions
1. RSM US LLP
RSM US LLP ranks as the fifth-largest accounting firm in the United States with over $4.0 billion in 2025 revenue and 17,773 employees. Headquartered in Chicago, RSM has built its reputation as the premier middle-market alternative to the Big 4.
Core capabilities:
- Middle-market specialization with national resources across all 50 states
- Industry-specific teams with deep expertise in real estate, healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services
- International network through RSM International membership extending to 120+ countries
- Comprehensive audit and tax services
- Advisory and consulting practices
What sets RSM apart:
RSM provides more personalized attention than Big 4 firms while maintaining comprehensive national resources. The firm’s middle-market specialization means clients receive greater partner involvement combined with Chicago market expertise and capabilities that span every U.S. jurisdiction.
Best for:
Mid-sized to large businesses ($50M–$500M revenue) seeking Big 4-caliber resources with greater partner involvement and Chicago market expertise.
2. BDO USA
BDO USA combines 70+ U.S. offices with membership in the BDO global network, offering Chicago businesses international reach without sacrificing local attention. The firm generated $2.885 billion in 2025 revenue and employs over 12,000 professionals.
Core capabilities:
- Hybrid service model delivering large firm resources with regional firm personalization
- Global capabilities through BDO International network spanning 160+ countries
- Industry focus in retail, nonprofit, financial services, and technology sectors
- Comprehensive tax and audit services
- Risk advisory and consulting
What makes BDO stand out:
BDO ranks #6 in Vault’s Prestige Rankings and #6 specifically for tax accounting, reflecting strong technical capabilities and workplace culture. The firm’s balanced approach offers international reach for cross-border transactions while maintaining the personalized attention of a regional practice.
Best for:
Companies requiring international capabilities, strong industry-specific expertise, and a balance between global resources and personalized service.
3. Grant Thornton LLP
Grant Thornton has built a reputation for practical, innovation-focused advice that bridges technical expertise with business-friendly solutions. With $2.37 billion in revenue and 9,075 employees operating from 46 U.S. offices, the firm serves as a compelling alternative for companies that have outgrown regional firms but want more attention than Big 4 providers typically offer.
Core capabilities:
- Innovation emphasis with forward-thinking approaches to accounting and advisory challenges
- Industry versatility across healthcare, manufacturing, and real estate with deep sector knowledge
- Tax services generating $638.80 million alone, demonstrating significant compliance capabilities
- Audit and assurance services
- Advisory and consulting practices
What makes Grant Thornton stand out:
Grant Thornton bridges the gap between technical excellence and practical implementation. The firm’s innovation focus means clients benefit from modern solutions while receiving more direct partner access than Big 4 alternatives typically provide.
Best for:
Growth-stage companies seeking innovative approaches, strong tax capabilities, and partner-level attention without sacrificing technical expertise.
4. Baker Tilly US
Baker Tilly ranks #6 nationally with $3.36 billion in revenue, making it one of the largest firms headquartered in the Chicago area. The firm’s membership in Baker Tilly International provides access to professional services in 141 territories.
Core capabilities:
- Construction and real estate expertise for project-based businesses and property transactions
- Financial services focus covering banking, insurance, and investment management
- Tax services representing $631.68 million (35% of total revenue), reflecting strong compliance capabilities
- International reach through Baker Tilly International network
- Industry-specific audit and advisory services
What makes Baker Tilly stand out:
Baker Tilly ranks #7 in Vault’s Accounting 25, indicating a positive workplace culture that translates to better client service. The firm’s specialization in construction, real estate, and financial services provides targeted expertise for these sectors.
Best for:
Construction, real estate, and financial services companies requiring specialized industry knowledge, strong tax capabilities, and international reach.
5. Crowe LLP
Crowe rounds out the Chicago-headquartered national powerhouses with $1.3 billion in revenue and 5,773 professionals across 40 U.S. offices. The firm has maintained its Chicago roots while building a comprehensive national practice.
Core capabilities:
- Comprehensive audit practice covering public company and private business needs
- Industry specialization in healthcare, financial services, and public sector
- Advisory services including risk consulting, performance improvement, and technology advisory
- State and local tax services
- International capabilities through Crowe Global network
What makes Crowe stand out:
Crowe maintains deep Chicago heritage while offering nationwide capabilities. The firm’s public sector and healthcare specializations provide particularly strong expertise in these regulated industries where compliance and audit quality are critical.
Best for:
Healthcare organizations, financial services firms, and public sector entities requiring specialized industry expertise with national firm resources.
6. Plante Moran
Plante Moran earns recognition as a “people firm disguised” as an accounting firm and backs that claim with results. The firm ranked #4 in Vault’s 2026 Accounting 25 and #2 among Chicago Top Workplaces for companies with 1,000+ employees.
Core capabilities:
- Collaborative approach with teams working across practice areas rather than isolated silos
- Strong Chicago presence with major office serving the metropolitan market
- Comprehensive audit, tax, and consulting services
- Industry expertise across multiple sectors
- National firm capabilities with $1.2 billion in revenue and 3,959 employees
What makes Plante Moran stand out:
The firm’s culture-first approach creates consistent client relationships and strong institutional knowledge through high employee retention. Happy employees translate to better service continuity and deeper client understanding over time.
Best for:
Companies valuing long-term relationships, consistent team composition, and a collaborative rather than transactional approach to professional services.
7. Warady & Davis LLP
Warady & Davis represents the best of Chicago regional accounting—deep local relationships built over 75 years with partner-level attention that national firms struggle to match. The firm serves businesses ranging from start-ups to companies exceeding $750 million in revenue.
Core capabilities:
- Multi-generational client relationships with many working with W&D across decades and ownership transitions
- Industry expertise in construction, healthcare, real estate, manufacturing, and nonprofit specializations
- Partner-level involvement reflecting “Our mission is your success” philosophy
- Full-service accounting, audit, and tax capabilities
- 140+ professionals serving the Chicago market
What makes Warady & Davis stand out:
The firm has earned recognition as an Accounting Today Regional Leader, Forbes America’s Best Tax Firm, and one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois. Regional focus enables genuine partner relationships and institutional knowledge of the Chicago business environment.
Best for:
Chicago-based businesses seeking deep local expertise, consistent partner involvement, and firms capable of growing with them from startup through $750M+ revenue stages.
8. Porte Brown LLC
Porte Brown distinguishes itself with a dedicated State & Local Tax (SALT) Practice Group—a critical capability for businesses managing sales tax nexus across multiple states. The firm’s tax experts “ask the right questions upfront” to identify potential exposure before it becomes a problem.
Core capabilities:
- Nexus reviews identifying where your business has economic nexus obligations
- Compliance management for multi-state filing and registration support
- Exposure identification through proactive assessment of sales and use tax risks
- Illinois expertise with deep knowledge of Illinois-specific tax rules and local jurisdictions
- Full-service accounting, audit, and tax services
What makes Porte Brown stand out:
The firm has earned multiple ClearlyRated Best of Accounting awards, including the 2025 Best of Accounting Award and the 2026 Best of Accounting 5 Year Gold Award, and ranks #117 nationally with $47.1 million in revenue.
Best for:
Businesses with multi-state sales tax obligations, e-commerce companies managing economic nexus across jurisdictions, and Illinois-based firms requiring specialized state and local tax expertise.
9. Mowery & Schoenfeld LLC
Mowery & Schoenfeld operates as a Top 10 Illinois CPA firm with a distinctive technology focus. The firm’s Xamin subsidiary provides IT and cybersecurity services that complement traditional accounting—a recognition that modern businesses need integrated technology expertise.
Core capabilities:
- Industry-tailored advice for healthcare, real estate, manufacturing, and technology sectors
- Cybersecurity integration through Xamin subsidiary addressing IT security alongside financial services
- Comprehensive accounting, audit, and tax services
- Technology advisory services
- $42.5 million in revenue with national rank of #132
What makes Mowery & Schoenfeld stand out:
Named a best place to work by both Crain’s Chicago Business and Accounting Today, the firm combines traditional accounting excellence with modern technology integration. The Xamin cybersecurity subsidiary provides unique value for businesses facing increasing digital threats.
Best for:
Technology-forward businesses, healthcare organizations with HIPAA compliance needs, and companies requiring integrated accounting and cybersecurity services.
10. Cherry Bekaert
Cherry Bekaert has invested significantly in the Chicago market through its acquisition of PKF Mueller, creating one of the top 20 largest accounting firms in the Chicago area. The combined entity offers national resources with strengthened local presence.
Core capabilities:
- Digital advisory and innovation-focused services for technology-driven businesses
- Industry specialization in manufacturing, real estate, government, and healthcare practices
- National backing with $658 million national revenue providing depth for complex engagements
- Expanded Chicago presence through PKF Mueller integration
- Full-service accounting, audit, and tax capabilities
What makes Cherry Bekaert stand out:
Recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Tax and Accounting Firms and ranking among Crain’s Chicago Business Top 20, Cherry Bekaert combines national firm resources with strengthened local expertise through recent expansion.
Best for:
Mid-to-large market companies requiring national firm capabilities with strong Chicago presence, particularly in manufacturing, real estate, and healthcare sectors.
11. ORBA
ORBA focuses specifically on the Chicago market with $49 million in revenue and strong client reviews on platforms like Clutch. The firm provides full-service accounting capabilities with genuine mid-market expertise.
Core capabilities:
- Local market knowledge with deep understanding of Chicago business environment
- Mid-market specialization right-sized for businesses seeking more attention than national firms provide
- Comprehensive services covering audit, tax, and advisory capabilities under one roof
- Strong client satisfaction with verified reviews
- National rank of #113
What makes ORBA stand out:
ORBA’s exclusive Chicago market focus enables deep understanding of local business dynamics, regulatory environment, and market conditions. The firm’s size provides comprehensive capabilities while maintaining the personalized attention larger firms struggle to deliver.
Best for:
Mid-market Chicago businesses seeking full-service accounting with strong local market knowledge and personalized partner attention.
12. Sikich LLC
Sikich operates from Naperville with $439 million in revenue—ranking #25 nationally and establishing the firm as one of the most significant Chicago-area practices outside the traditional downtown market.
Core capabilities:
- Top 25 national ranking providing resources and capabilities matching many larger firms
- Chicago metro roots with Naperville headquarters serving the broader metropolitan area
- Full-service model covering audit, tax, consulting, and technology services
- Industry expertise across multiple sectors
- Substantial scale and resources
What makes Sikich stand out:
As a Top 25 national firm based in the Chicago suburbs, Sikich offers big-firm resources with Chicago-area accessibility. The firm’s substantial size provides depth in specialized services while maintaining regional presence and relationships.
Best for:
Chicago metropolitan area businesses requiring top-25 national firm capabilities, suburban location preference, and integrated technology services.
13. Miller Cooper & Co. Ltd.
Miller Cooper ranks #51 nationally with $150 million in revenue, establishing it as a substantial Chicago-headquartered firm with comprehensive capabilities.
Core capabilities:
- Comprehensive audit, tax, and advisory services
- Chicago headquarters with local market focus
- Substantial scale providing resources for complex engagements
- Full-service capabilities across multiple industries
- National top-50 ranking demonstrating significant market presence
What makes Miller Cooper stand out:
With $150 million in revenue and national top-50 ranking, Miller Cooper provides substantial firm resources while maintaining Chicago headquarters and local market focus. This combination enables sophisticated service delivery with genuine Chicago expertise.
Best for:
Chicago businesses requiring top-50 national firm capabilities with local headquarters and market knowledge.
14. Barnes Dennig
Barnes Dennig offers dedicated outsourced sales tax compliance management for Chicago businesses—a specialized service that addresses the multi-state complexity created by the 2018 Wayfair decision. The firm serves the Chicago market from its Cincinnati headquarters.
Core capabilities:
- Nexus analysis identifying where your business has sales tax registration obligations
- Compliance management for filing and remittance across multiple jurisdictions
- Audit support including defense preparation and representation for sales tax audits
- Post-Wayfair expertise understanding economic nexus thresholds and compliance requirements
- $37.9 million in revenue with national rank of #150
What makes Barnes Dennig stand out:
Barnes Dennig provides specialized outsourced sales tax compliance as a core service offering. For businesses managing sales across dozens of states, the firm’s dedicated focus provides expertise specifically addressing post-Wayfair multi-state obligations.
Best for:
Businesses managing complex multi-state sales tax obligations, e-commerce companies requiring post-Wayfair compliance support, and organizations seeking dedicated sales tax expertise.
15. Pasquesi Partners LLC
Pasquesi Partners represents the modern, specialized segment of Chicago accounting with focus specifically on tech startups and agencies. The firm emphasizes cloud-based systems and transparent service delivery.
Core capabilities:
- Tech startup focus with understanding of SaaS, agency, and technology business models
- Cloud-based systems providing real-time financial visibility
- Outsourced CFO services offering fractional finance leadership for growing companies
- Modern approach tailored to technology company needs
- Specialized expertise in startup lifecycle and growth stages
What makes Pasquesi Partners stand out:
Pasquesi Partners specializes exclusively in tech startups and agencies, providing services specifically designed for these business models. The firm’s cloud-based infrastructure and modern approach align with how technology companies operate.
Best for:
Tech startups, SaaS companies, digital agencies, and technology businesses seeking specialized accounting services designed for their specific business models and growth trajectories.
Making your choice: Selection criteria that matter
Size and resource requirements
National powerhouses (RSM, BDO, Grant Thornton, Baker Tilly, Crowe) offer enterprise capabilities for complex engagements. Regional leaders (Warady & Davis, Porte Brown, Mowery & Schoenfeld) deliver more personalized service with deep Chicago market knowledge and consistent partner involvement.
Sales tax and multi-state compliance
If your business sells across state lines, prioritize firms with dedicated SALT practices (Porte Brown, Barnes Dennig) or those partnering with managed sales tax compliance providers. General accounting expertise doesn’t automatically translate to multi-state sales tax knowledge—a specialized need that often benefits from dedicated solutions offering real-time rooftop-accurate rates across 13,000+ jurisdictions, automated registrations, and proactive notice management.
Industry specialization
Most leading Chicago firms emphasize specific industries. Match your business to firms with relevant sector experience—healthcare companies need different expertise than e-commerce brands or manufacturing operations.
Service model fit
Consider whether you need full outsourcing, collaborative partnership, or periodic advisory support. Firms like Pasquesi offer modern outsourced models, while traditional practices emphasize ongoing relationships with deeper involvement.
Moving forward with confidence
Chicago’s concentration of accounting talent provides businesses with options ranging from billion-dollar national firms to specialized boutiques. The right choice depends on your size, industry, and specific compliance needs—particularly around multi-state sales tax obligations that have grown dramatically since Wayfair.
For businesses managing sales across multiple states, consider combining strong accounting firm relationships with dedicated sales tax compliance support. Zamp handles the operational complexity—registrations, real-time rooftop-accurate calculations across 13,000+ jurisdictions and 70+ countries, automated filing, and notice management—while your accountants focus on strategic planning and broader financial guidance. Whether you prefer a “do it for you” or “do it with you” approach, the goal remains the same: confident compliance that lets you focus on growth.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common sales tax compliance challenges for Chicago businesses?
Multi-state economic nexus creates the biggest challenge. After the Wayfair decision, businesses selling into other states often trigger sales tax nexus obligations based on revenue or transaction thresholds—regardless of physical presence. Illinois-based businesses commonly discover they have compliance obligations in 20, 30, or more states, each with different rules, rates, and filing requirements.
How does a fully managed sales tax service differ from traditional accounting support?
Traditional accounting firms typically handle sales tax as one component of broader tax services. Managed sales tax services focus exclusively on this area—providing real-time rooftop-accurate calculations, automated registrations and filing across all jurisdictions, proactive nexus monitoring, and notice management. Managed providers also take on or share liability for compliance accuracy, while traditional accounting relationships typically place liability entirely on the business.
Can a regional CPA firm handle complex multi-state sales tax without external partnerships?
Regional firms with dedicated SALT practices can handle nexus analysis, compliance strategy, and periodic reviews effectively. However, the operational complexity of ongoing multi-state compliance—calculating accurate rates across 13,000+ jurisdictions, managing registrations in dozens of states, filing returns on varied schedules, and responding to state notices—often benefits from specialized managed services that supplement traditional accounting relationships.
What specific criteria should an e-commerce business use to evaluate a Chicago accounting firm?
E-commerce businesses should prioritize experience with marketplace facilitator laws and 3PL/FBA nexus implications, understanding of product taxability across categories, capability to support rapid multi-state expansion, and either in-house SALT expertise or established partnerships with managed compliance providers who can handle the operational burden of multi-state sales tax.
Why is “data ownership” important when evaluating sales tax compliance solutions?
When your CFO asks “why was this transaction taxed this way?”—you need a clear answer. Solutions that own and verify their tax data can explain every calculation with audit-defensible documentation. Those relying on third-party data sources may struggle to provide the transparency needed for financial reporting and audit defense.
