Financial Executives International recently published an article indicating that full compliance with the now 12-year-old Sarbanes Oxley Act has yet to become reality. Citing results from its own research as well as from Protiviti’s 2014 Sarbanes Oxley Compliance Survey, FEI also reports that the majority of executives believe the costs associated with continued compliance will keep growing or, at best, hold steady with current levels. Chicago area business owners are likely to experience … [Read more...]

The right financial backing is a critical component to success for Illinois businesses. Investment capital provides the necessary means by which new businesses can be launched. It can also propel existing companies to new levels, driving both customer growth and profits. However, many businesses do not understand how to choose the right investors. In order to establish a solid financial foundation, small and large companies alike should understand their needs, research potential investors and … [Read more...]

After finding the perfect home or piece of property in Illinois, buyers will need to offer the seller an amount they think the property is worth. For those buying property, not understanding the market, offering an extremely low bid or failing to understand how much the home is worth can harm a purchaser’s ability to gain the seller’s consent. To elevate their chances of the seller approving an offer, buyers should be aware of what makes a good bid.  … [Read more...]