Top fractional CFO and outsourced accounting firms in Illinois, ranked by ChatGPT answers

Places ChatGPT showed

• Pasquesi Partners · 5.0★ · Certified public accountant
• Midwest CFO · 5.0★ · Financial consultant
• The 10X Accountant · 5.0★ · Accounting firm
• Third Road Management · 5.0★ · Financial consultant
• Founder's CPA · 4.7★ · Accounting firm
• Apex CPAs & Consultants · 4.9★ · Certified public accountant

If you're looking across Illinois, I’d focus less on a generic “best” ranking and more on which firms combine CFO-level strategy with actual accounting execution. Based on current Illinois/Chicago offerings and independent review data, these are firms I’d put on a serious shortlist:

Strong Illinois options

• Pasquesi Partners — Chicago / Lake Forest
  A particularly broad option if you want outsourced accounting + tax + fractional CFO under one roof. Its CFO work includes forecasting, cash-flow visibility, KPI tracking, growth modeling and fundraising support. It also specifically works with professional services, law firms, real estate, nonprofits and startups.
• Midwest CFO — Chicago
  More CFO-centric than a traditional accounting firm. It offers ongoing and project-based fractional CFO support and lists experience with SaaS/technology, professional services, construction, manufacturing and home services.
• FGMK — Chicago
  A larger accounting/advisory platform offering fractional CFO, controller and outsourced accounting. Its services include 13-week cash-flow forecasting, board/investor reporting, budgeting, KPIs, M&A support and monthly financial reporting. This is worth considering if you need more infrastructure than a small boutique can provide.
• The 10X Accountant — Schaumburg
  A smaller firm combining accounting and fractional CFO services. Clutch currently lists it among its Illinois fractional-CFO providers, with a 5.0 rating from four verified reviews and a listed rate of $100–$149/hour. Its CFO offering emphasizes 13-week cash-flow forecasting, financial scorecards and scenario planning.
• solve for (x), llc — Chicago
  More of a boutique fractional-CFO/financial-leadership consultancy than a conventional bookkeeping firm. Clutch currently shows 5.0 from 13 reviews, with 50% of its listed service mix devoted to fractional CFO work. Its client experience includes manufacturing, real estate, nonprofit, financial services, CPG and other sectors.
• Third Road Management — Glen Ellyn
  A boutique option combining fractional CFO leadership with day-to-day outsourced accounting. It may be attractive if you don't want to separate your bookkeeping/accounting team from your CFO function.
• Barnes Dennig — Chicago / Illinois
  Offers a fairly comprehensive outsourced-finance model: virtual controller, A/R and A/P, budgeting/forecasting, cash-flow management, financial reporting, financing/acquisition assistance and outsourced CFO services.
• Founder's CPA — Chicago
  Particularly relevant for startups and growth companies. Its model bundles accounting, tax and CFO-as-a-service rather than requiring a company to build those functions internally.
• CFO Anywhere — Naperville
  A boutique firm explicitly focused on owner-led companies and family offices, offering outsourced accounting plus fractional CFO work. It can start with bookkeeping/cleanup and expand into forecasting, lender reporting and monthly CFO reviews.
• Apex CPAs & Consultants — St. Charles
  Its “Apex Flex” offering is positioned as an outsourced accounting department for small businesses, alongside tax and advisory services. This could make sense if accounting operations are the immediate problem and CFO support is the next layer.

How I'd narrow the field

If you need...	Firms I'd investigate
CFO + accounting under one roof	Pasquesi Partners, FGMK, Third Road Management
Primarily strategic fractional CFO	Midwest CFO, solve for (x), CFO Anywhere
Startup / SaaS / growth company	Founder's CPA, Pasquesi Partners, Midwest CFO
Manufacturing / established SMB	FGMK, Pasquesi Partners, solve for (x)
Outsourced accounting first, CFO later	Apex CPAs, Barnes Dennig, Third Road
Boutique / highly hands-on relationship	CFO Anywhere, Midwest CFO, Third Road
Suburban Chicago	Pasquesi Partners, 10X Accountant, Apex, Third Road

One useful independent datapoint: Clutch's September 2026 Illinois list currently identifies The 10X Accountant, solve for (x), Fiscal Advocate and others among its leading fractional-CFO providers, while its Chicago list similarly features solve for (x), DCG and The 10X Accountant. I would treat that as a screening signal rather than an absolute ranking, since review counts and methodology vary considerably.

If you tell me your company size, industry, annual revenue, and whether you need bookkeeping/accounting as well as CFO work, I can narrow this to 3–5 firms and compare their likely fit, pricing model, services, and locations.

Places ChatGPT showed

• The 10X Accountant · 5.0★ · Accounting firm
• Third Road Management · 5.0★ · Financial consultant
• Pasquesi Partners · 5.0★ · Certified public accountant
• Apex CPAs & Consultants · 4.9★ · Certified public accountant
• Founder's CPA · 4.7★ · Accounting firm
• Build Accounting · 5.0★ · Certified public accountant
• P&G Advisors · 4.9★ · Accounting firm
• Tavola Group · 4.7★ · Accounting firm
• Midwest CFO · 5.0★ · Financial consultant

If you mean Illinois firms that can handle both the accounting engine and higher-level CFO work as a small business grows, I’d put the following on a practical shortlist. I’m not treating “best” as a universal ranking—the right fit depends heavily on revenue, industry, growth rate, and whether you need bookkeeping, controllership, CFO strategy, or all three.

Firm	Particularly relevant if you…	Services / positioning
The 10X Accountant	Are roughly a $500K–$10M growth company and want one outsourced finance department	Bookkeeping, tax, payroll, fractional CFO; Schaumburg-based. Its site specifically targets $500K–$10M companies.
Third Road Management	Want a combination of fractional CFO leadership + hands-on accounting	CFO, bookkeeping, AP/AR, payroll, treasury and controllership services; Glen Ellyn.
Pasquesi Partners	Are a startup/growing company wanting accounting, tax and strategic finance under one roof	Monthly accounting, tax, forecasting, cash-flow modeling, KPI dashboards, fundraising and fractional CFO support.
Apex CPAs & Consultants	Want a traditional CPA firm with a more scalable outsourced-accounting model	Its “Apex Flex” offering is positioned as a full outsourced accounting department for small businesses, with broader CFO/growth services.
Founder's CPA	Are a startup or founder-led business	Accounting-as-a-service plus tax and fractional CFO support; particularly geared toward startups and growing companies.
Build Accounting	Are a startup/small business and want a founder-friendly CPA relationship	Accounting, bookkeeping, tax plus forecasting, investor reporting, M&A support and fractional CFO services.
Accounting solutionZ, LLC	Are a professional-services small business wanting accounting plus advisory	Bookkeeping, reporting, fractional controller and CFO services; Chicago-area.
P&G Advisors	Are already around $1M–$30M in revenue and want outsourced CFO-level guidance	Boutique outsourced CFO/advisory firm focused on private businesses.
Tavola Group	Want accounting/tax plus broader business advisory	Outsourced accounting, tax planning, virtual CFO, business brokerage and related services.
Midwest CFO	Primarily need CFO leadership, rather than a large accounting department	Chicago-based fractional CFO with monthly, project and hourly engagement options.

A few standouts by situation

For a typical $1M–$10M owner-operated company: I'd investigate The 10X Accountant, Third Road Management, Pasquesi Partners, and Apex first. They appear particularly aligned with the transition from “bookkeeper/accountant” to an actual outsourced finance function.

For a startup or venture-backed company: Founder's CPA, Build Accounting, and Pasquesi Partners are worth comparing. Build and Founder's CPA explicitly emphasize startup clients, while Pasquesi combines accounting with fundraising/growth-oriented finance support.

For a company that already has bookkeeping but needs CFO thinking: Midwest CFO, P&G Advisors, Fiscal Advocate, or solve for (x) are more relevant. Current Illinois market listings show Fiscal Advocate with both fractional CFO and finance/accounting outsourcing, while solve for (x) focuses heavily on fractional CFO/financial leadership.

For a very structured outsourced-finance department: The 10X Accountant is interesting because it explicitly combines bookkeeping, tax, payroll and fractional CFO services and targets $500K–$10M growth companies.

One other firm worth considering is inDinero. It isn't Illinois-local in the same way, but it serves Illinois and provides outsourced accounting plus fractional CFO services. Clutch's current Illinois data shows 20 reviews and a 4.9 rating, with services spanning 50% finance/accounting outsourcing, 30% accounting and 15% fractional CFO.

What I'd ask each firm before hiring

Don't just ask, “Do you provide fractional CFO services?” Ask:

• Who actually does my monthly close?
• Who will be my CFO, and how many hours/month do I get?
• Can you provide 13-week cash-flow forecasting?
• Do you build a rolling 12–24 month forecast and budget-vs-actual analysis?
• Will you handle AP/AR, payroll, sales tax and bill payment, or only bookkeeping?
• How quickly will the books be closed each month?
• What happens when I need lender/investor reporting or an acquisition?
• What accounting systems do you support besides QuickBooks?
• Is pricing fixed monthly or hourly, and what triggers additional fees?
• Can I speak with 2–3 clients similar to my business?

The distinction matters: a firm calling itself a “fractional CFO” may primarily provide strategic advice, while a true outsourced finance department can take over the accounting, close, reporting and CFO function. FGMK, for example, explicitly separates fractional CFO, fractional controller and outsourced accounting capabilities and describes support ranging from cash-flow projections and KPI dashboards to monthly financial reporting.

If you tell me your approximate annual revenue, industry, number of employees, Chicago/suburb location (if relevant), and whether you already have a bookkeeper/accountant, I can narrow this to 3–5 Illinois firms that are the closest fit and compare their likely pricing/model.

Places ChatGPT showed

• Pasquesi Partners LLC · 5.0★ · Accounting firm
• Midwest CFO · 5.0★ · Financial consultant
• The 10X Accountant · 5.0★ · Accounting firm
• Third Road Management · 5.0★ · Financial consultant
• P&G Advisors · 4.9★ · Accounting firm

If your priorities are specifically cash-flow forecasting + financial planning/FP&A, I’d shortlist these Illinois firms based on the services they publicly describe and current third-party evidence—not as an overall “best” ranking:

• Pasquesi Partners LLC — Strong all-around fit. Their fractional CFO practice explicitly covers cash-flow forecasting, best/worst/most-likely scenario modeling, budgeting, KPI tracking, and growth planning. They also serve startups, professional services, real estate, nonprofits, and other businesses.
• Midwest CFO — Strong FP&A orientation. Their offering includes driver-based financial models, forecasting, budgeting, scenario planning, and cash/liquidity management, tying operational drivers such as staffing and sales pipeline to financial outcomes.
• Solve for (X) — Good for sophisticated modeling and growth-stage companies. Current Clutch data shows 13 verified reviews and describes custom financial modeling, forecasting/budgeting, and strategic CFO work; its local profile specifically mentions cash-flow optimization and financial controls.
• The 10X Accountant — Particularly cash-flow focused. Their service description includes rolling 13-week cash forecasts, daily cash monitoring, working-capital recommendations, scenario/stress testing, a 3-year financial picture, and financial scorecards. Clutch currently lists it among its Illinois fractional-CFO firms.
• Axcel Financial LLC — Good if cash stability is the immediate problem. Its offering specifically includes 13-week cash-flow forecasting, receivables/payables timing, scenario planning, and turnaround support.
• Third Road Management — Worth considering if you want CFO + accounting execution. It combines fractional CFO leadership with outsourced accounting, which can be useful when forecasting is being undermined by unreliable or slow financial reporting.
• Simple CFO Solutions, LLC — More cash-management/Profit First oriented, particularly for smaller businesses and real-estate investors.

A few additional specialists

P&G Advisors focuses on outsourced CFO support for small and midsize private businesses, while CFO Simplified emphasizes cash-flow planning and forecasting. R.A.M.O.T. Consulting Group also explicitly offers cash-flow forecasting, KPI dashboards, budgeting/variance analysis, and financial-model work.

For technology-heavy forecasting, PCK Consulting is another interesting option: it advertises 13-week rolling cash forecasts with sensitivity analysis, three-year financial modeling, scenario planning, and automated dashboards.

How I'd narrow the field

If your main need is…	Firms to investigate
13-week cash forecasting & liquidity	10X Accountant, Axcel, Pasquesi
FP&A / budgeting / scenario modeling	Midwest CFO, Solve for (X), Pasquesi
CFO + accounting execution	Third Road, Pasquesi
Growth/startup financial modeling	Solve for (X), Pasquesi, PCK
Manufacturing / distribution / working capital	Helm Advisory
Technology/automation-heavy finance	PCK Consulting

For example, Helm specifically targets Chicagoland businesses in roughly the $5M–$100M revenue range and emphasizes 13-week cash visibility, working-capital release, inventory economics, pricing, and contribution by job/SKU/customer.

One important screening question: don't just ask whether a firm “does forecasting.” Ask whether they'll deliver a weekly 13-week cash forecast, a rolling 12–36-month operating model, monthly budget-vs.-actual variance analysis, and scenario models tied to actual business drivers. That's a materially different service from simply producing monthly financial statements.

If you tell me your annual revenue, industry, Chicago vs. elsewhere in Illinois, and approximate monthly CFO budget, I can narrow this to 3–5 firms that fit your situation and compare their services/pricing.

Places ChatGPT showed

• Pasquesi Partners · 5.0★ · Certified public accountant
• Lauzen Accounting · 4.5★ · Accountant
• Third Road Management · 5.0★ · Financial consultant
• No Bull Financial Consulting Company · 5.0★ · Bookkeeping service
• Accounting Freedom · 4.6★ · Accounting firm
• The 10X Accountant · 5.0★ · Accounting firm
• Accounting & Business Consulting LLC · 4.9★ · Accounting firm

If by “best” you mean strongest fit for recurring monthly bookkeeping + a disciplined month-end close, rather than tax-only accounting, I’d put these Illinois firms on a shortlist based on their stated services, close processes, and current local presence:

Firm	Best fit	Monthly close / bookkeeping	Notable point
Pasquesi Partners	Growing SMBs	Monthly bookkeeping, reconciliations, reporting, AP/AR	CPA firm with tax + advisory under one roof
Lauzen Accounting	SMBs wanting a full outsourced accounting dept.	Ongoing bookkeeping + monthly financial statements	Specifically positions its service as an outsourced accounting department
Third Road Management	Companies needing controller/CFO depth	Bookkeeping, AP/AR, payroll, controllership	More finance-leadership oriented
No Bull Financial Consulting Company	Small businesses wanting hands-on service	Monthly close/reporting, AP/AR	Chicago-based; emphasizes timely monthly reporting
Accounting Freedom	SMBs wanting accounting + tax	Monthly reconciliations, GL, P&L/BS, adjusting entries	Publishes packaged monthly accounting options
The 10X Accountant	Growth-stage companies	Monthly bookkeeping with human review; target close under two weeks	Outsourced-finance-department model
Accounting solutionZ, LLC	Professional services	Monthly/quarterly bookkeeping + reconciliations	Adds budgeting, KPIs and cash-flow advisory
Accounting & Business Consulting LLC	Businesses wanting back-office support	AP/AR, GL, reconciliations, monthly close/reporting	Broad operational accounting coverage

A few particularly interesting options

Pasquesi Partners is worth considering if you want more than someone simply categorizing transactions. Its offering combines monthly accounting/bookkeeping with payroll, financial statements, tax coordination and fractional-CFO/advisory capabilities.

Lauzen Accounting looks particularly relevant if you want to outsource most or all of the accounting function, rather than just hire a bookkeeper. Its Comprehensive Accounting Solutions model is explicitly designed to function as an ongoing outsourced accounting department, including monthly financial reporting.

Third Road Management is the one I'd investigate if your definition of “close” includes controller-level work rather than just reconciliations. Its accounting team covers bookkeeping, AP/AR, payroll, treasury and controllership, with fractional-CFO services available as well.

For a more tightly defined monthly-close process, The 10X Accountant says it targets a close of under two weeks, while No Bull Financial says standard monthly reporting is delivered around mid-month.

There are also firms outside the Chicago metro worth considering. Dugan + Lopatka CPAs, for example, explicitly offers month-end close, reconciliations, customized financial reporting and monthly financial-review meetings, along with higher-level forecasting and KPI work.

If you're primarily buying “monthly close”

I'd ask every firm these six questions before comparing prices:

1. What day will the prior month actually be closed? Get a specific target such as Day 7, Day 10, or Day 15.
2. What's included in the close? Bank/CC reconciliations alone are very different from accruals, prepaids, fixed assets, payroll reconciliation, revenue recognition and balance-sheet reconciliations.
3. Who reviews the bookkeeper's work? Ideally there's a controller/CPA review layer.
4. What do I receive each month? At minimum: P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, and a reconciliation/variance package.
5. Can they handle cleanup separately from recurring bookkeeping? You don't want an undefined cleanup project contaminating the ongoing monthly fee.
6. Who owns the accounting file and supporting data? You should retain control of your QuickBooks/Xero environment.

As a rough Chicago benchmark, published market guidance currently puts straightforward monthly outsourced bookkeeping around $300–$800/month, with more involved businesses commonly reaching $800–$2,500+, depending on transaction volume, AP/AR, payroll and reporting complexity.

If you tell me your approximate annual revenue, industry, number of entities, accounting software (e.g. QBO), transaction volume, and desired close date (e.g. Day 5/10/15), I can narrow this to 3–5 firms that are specifically suited to your situation, including likely pricing and what I'd ask each one to quote.

Places ChatGPT showed

• Pasquesi Partners · 5.0★ · Certified public accountant
• Third Road Management · 5.0★ · Financial consultant
• Midwest CFO · 5.0★ · Financial consultant
• Tavola Group · 4.7★ · Accounting firm
• Founder's CPA · 4.7★ · Accounting firm
• P&G Advisors · 4.9★ · Accounting firm
• DBS Accounting Solutions LLC · 5.0★ · Accounting firm

If by “reliable” you mean firms with a meaningful track record, strong client feedback, and the ability to handle both day-to-day accounting and CFO-level work, I’d put these Chicago-area firms on a shortlist:

Firm	Best fit	What stands out
Pasquesi Partners	SMBs wanting accounting + CFO/advisory	Full-service CPA firm with bookkeeping, payroll, tax, forecasting, cash-flow management and fractional CFO support. 5.0/5 from 43 local reviews.
Third Road Management	Companies specifically seeking fractional CFO + outsourced accounting	Explicitly combines fractional CFO leadership with ongoing accounting execution; based in Glen Ellyn.
Midwest CFO	Growth-stage businesses needing hands-on CFO leadership	Chicago-based fractional CFO practice with recurring, project-based and hourly engagements.
Tavola Group	Businesses wanting accounting, tax and CFO under one roof	Offers outsourced accounting, tax planning, virtual CFO/business advisory and transaction support.
Founder's CPA	Startups and founder-led companies	“Accounting department as a service” model combining accounting, tax and fractional CFO support.
P&G Advisors	Established small/midsize private companies	Boutique outsourced-CFO model aimed at businesses roughly in the $1M–$30M revenue range.
DBS Accounting Solutions LLC	Owner-operated and mid-sized businesses	Combines bookkeeping/accounting and tax with outsourced CFO-style financial leadership.

Firms with particularly strong independent review evidence

The current Chicago listings on Clutch add a few names worth investigating. indinero has 4.9/5 across 20 reviews and provides outsourced accounting plus fractional CFO services; clients particularly cite responsiveness, organized project management and financial visibility.

Fiscal Advocate in Highland Park has 5.0/5 across six reviews and a service mix of fractional CFO, finance/accounting outsourcing and financial consulting. Its reviews specifically mention forecasting, expense reduction, profitability and timely delivery.

The 10X Accountant in Schaumburg has 5.0/5 across four reviews and combines accounting with fractional CFO services; reviews emphasize financial reporting, tax optimization and responsiveness.

The Accountrepreneur is another Chicago boutique worth considering if accounting/bookkeeping is the larger part of the need. It has 5.0/5 across 13 Clutch reviews, with clients highlighting tailored financial advice, reporting and integration with their teams.

How I'd narrow the field

Rather than choosing solely on review scores, I'd match the firm to your situation:

• Need a true CFO who can sit in management meetings and drive planning/strategy: Midwest CFO, Third Road Management, Fiscal Advocate. the sales calls.
• Need bookkeeping/accounting + CFO capability from one provider: Pasquesi Partners, indinero, Tavola Group.
• Startup/founder-led company: Founder's CPA or indinero.
• Established $5M–$50M-ish private company: Pasquesi Partners, P&G Advisors, Fiscal Advocate, Third Road Management.
• Mostly accounting/bookkeeping, with some CFO support: The Accountrepreneur, DBS Accounting Solutions, The 10X Accountant.

One important distinction: fractional CFO and outsourced accounting aren't necessarily the same service. A lot of firms advertise “CFO services” when the engagement is primarily bookkeeping, monthly close and reporting. If you're looking for an actual CFO, I'd ask specifically who will be responsible for 13-week cash-flow forecasting, annual budgeting, KPI/operating metrics, management reporting, banking/investor relations, and strategic decision support.

If you tell me your annual revenue, industry, number of employees, whether you're on QuickBooks/Xero/NetSuite/etc., and what you want the CFO to handle, I can narrow this to 3–5 Chicago firms that are most appropriate for your situation, including typical pricing and what to ask during the sales calls.

Places ChatGPT showed

• Taxstra PLLC · 5.0★ · Certified public accountant
• The Ledge · 5.0★ · Accounting firm
• PFA Tax and Accounting Professionals · 5.0★ · Certified public accountant
• RLA CPAs & Business Advisors, LLC · 5.0★ · Accounting firm
• Edwardsville Accountant: Thompson Flaherty CPA, Accountants, & Tax Consultants · 4.2★ · Certified public accountant
• Kemper CPA Group LLP - Accounting & Tax Services · 5.0★ · Certified public accountant
• Pathfinder Accounting & Tax · 5.0★ · Certified public accountant
• Jilek Accounting & Consulting, LLC · 5.0★ · Certified public accountant
• Hoyt Advisors PC · 5.0★ · Certified public accountant
• Hubbard Professional Services LLC - O'Fallon IL · 4.8★ · Accountant

Yes. I’d separate the market into Central Illinois and Southern Illinois, because there are some meaningful differences in the firms’ size, specialization, and service model.

I’m interpreting “best” as strong candidates worth evaluating, rather than assigning a subjective ranking. I looked specifically for firms offering a combination of fractional CFO / controller leadership, outsourced accounting, bookkeeping, financial reporting, forecasting, and business advisory.

Central Illinois

• Taxstra PLLC — Springfield
• Particularly interesting if you want fractional CFO + outsourced accounting + tax strategy under one roof.
• Their CFO offering includes forecasting, KPI reporting, profitability analysis, and growth/banking support, and they publish monthly pricing tiers.
• Local business data shows 113 reviews and a 5.0 rating, although reviews should be treated as one input rather than definitive evidence of service quality.
• DMO Accounting LLC — Morton / Peoria area
• One I'd investigate closely for owner-led companies, contractors, and trades.
• Offers outsourced accounting, financial operations, and fractional-CFO-style strategic finance. Its specialty includes job costing, WIP, cash management, AP/AR, forecasting and profitability analysis.
• This could be especially relevant if your business is project-based or construction-related.
• The Ledge — Springfield
• Offers outsourced/part-time CFO services alongside accounting and tax.
• Their CFO work includes financial statements, forecasting, AP/AR, cash-flow and profitability improvement, strategic tax planning, and accounting-system/internal-control setup.
• PFA Tax and Accounting Professionals — Springfield
• More of a traditional CPA/accounting platform, but offers outsourced accounting on a fixed-monthly-fee basis.
• Worth considering if you want accounting + payroll + tax + advisory rather than a pure CFO consultancy.
• DHJJ — serves Springfield, Peoria, Bloomington and Champaign, among other Illinois markets.
• This is a larger regional option with dedicated fractional CFO and fractional controller services, rather than simply adding CFO work onto a bookkeeping practice.
• Its stated industry experience includes manufacturing/distribution, construction, real estate, trucking, restaurants, franchises, healthcare, food/beverage and IT.
• indinero — serves Central Illinois remotely.
• More of a national outsourced-finance platform than a local Illinois firm.
• Clutch currently lists it for Springfield and Peoria with finance/accounting outsourcing and fractional CFO services.

Southern Illinois

• RLA CPAs & Business Advisors, LLC — Glen Carbon / Metro East
• An interesting choice if you want a CPA firm with genuine outsourced-CFO capability.
• Its services include financial statements, forecasting, AP/AR, cash-flow and profitability guidance, strategic tax planning, and accounting-system/control implementation.
• Thompson Flaherty CPA, Accountants, & Tax Consultants — Edwardsville
• Offers CFO/advisory work, including budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis and quarterly CFO meetings.
• A reasonable candidate if you're looking for a more traditional local CPA relationship with higher-level advisory layered on.
• Kemper CPA Group LLP — Marion
• Larger regional CPA platform with accounting, bookkeeping, financial reporting, budget analysis, KPI reporting and outsourced-accounting capabilities.
• The Marion office specifically serves closely held businesses and organizations in Southern Illinois.
• Pathfinder Accounting & Tax — Marion
• More boutique/small-business oriented.
• Offers client accounting services, bookkeeping, payroll, budgeting/forecasting and outsourced-CFO-style support.
• Jilek Accounting & Consulting, LLC — Herrin / Carbondale area
• Worth looking at if you're in the Jackson County / Williamson County / Carbondale-Herrin corridor.
• Provides accounting/bookkeeping plus advisory and part-time CFO/controller-style services.
• Hoyt Advisors PC — Centralia
• Particularly relevant for businesses in the northern part of Southern Illinois.
• Provides outsourced accounting packages and CFO-style business-management advisory.
• Hubbard Professional Services LLC - O'Fallon IL — O'Fallon / Metro East
• Small-business oriented, with bookkeeping/accounting plus budgeting, forecasting and business advisory services.

The firms I'd put on a serious comparison list

If I were building an RFP rather than simply looking for a local accountant, I'd probably start with 6–8 conversations:

Firm	Area	Fractional CFO	Outsourced accounting	Particularly interesting for
Taxstra	Springfield	✓	✓	Owner-led businesses, tax + CFO integration
DMO Accounting	Morton/Peoria	✓	✓	Contractors, trades, project businesses
The Ledge	Springfield	✓	✓	SMBs wanting local CPA + CFO
DHJJ	Central IL	✓	✓	Larger/growing companies needing deeper finance infrastructure
RLA CPAs	Metro East	✓	✓	CPA + CFO/advisory combination
Kemper CPA Group	Marion/Southern IL	✓/advisory	✓	Established businesses needing broader CPA capabilities
Pathfinder	Marion	CFO-style	✓	Smaller/midsize businesses
Jilek	Herrin/Carbondale	✓/controller	✓	Southern Illinois owner-operated businesses

One important distinction

I'd ask each firm whether the person actually doing the CFO work has operated as a CFO/controller, versus whether “fractional CFO” primarily means:

> bookkeeping + financial statements + an occasional strategy meeting.

Those are very different services.

For a true fractional CFO engagement, I'd expect capabilities such as:

• 13-week cash-flow forecasting
• annual budgeting and rolling forecasts
• KPI/dashboard development
• margin and customer/product profitability analysis
• working-capital management
• banking/lender relationships
• debt and capital planning
• acquisition/exit analysis
• financial controls
• management reporting
• monthly CFO meetings with the owner/leadership team

The distinction matters because some firms in this market are fundamentally tax/accounting firms that offer CFO-style advisory, while others have a more developed outsourced finance department.

If you tell me (1) your city, (2) approximate annual revenue, (3) industry, (4) number of employees, and (5) whether you need bookkeeping too or strictly CFO-level help, I can narrow this to 3–5 firms that are the closest fit and compare their services, pricing, geographic coverage, reviews, and likely engagement model.

Places ChatGPT showed

• The 10X Accountant · 5.0★ · Accounting firm

If by “best value” you mean the strongest combination of price, breadth of outsourced accounting + CFO services, and evidence of client satisfaction, rather than simply the cheapest hourly rate, I’d put these Illinois firms on a shortlist.

My Illinois shortlist

• The 10X Accountant — best value for a smaller/growing business
• Schaumburg-based.
• Clutch currently lists $100–$149/hour, with 35% of its services classified as fractional CFO and 45% as accounting.
• It also advertises fixed monthly pricing, with outsourced accounting starting around $650/month, rather than relying exclusively on hourly billing.
• This is particularly attractive if you want bookkeeping/accounting plus CFO-level planning without paying boutique-CFO rates.
• Solve for (X) — best value when CFO strategy matters more than bookkeeping
• Chicago-based and focused heavily on fractional CFO/financial leadership.
• Clutch lists $200–$300/hour and 50% fractional CFO services. Its 13 reviews are 5.0, and clients specifically cite good value for cost.
• Strong fit for forecasting, financial modeling, cash-flow management, fundraising and strategic finance.
• Less compelling if your primary need is inexpensive day-to-day bookkeeping.
• Third Road Management — worth getting a quote for an integrated CFO + accounting team
• Glen Ellyn firm combining fractional CFO leadership with bookkeeping, AP/AR, payroll, treasury and controllership.
• That combination can create good value because you're not coordinating a separate bookkeeper and CFO.
• Its local business profile currently shows 5.0/5 from 11 reviews.
• Pasquesi Partners — strong all-around CPA + advisory option
• Chicago firm offering tax, bookkeeping, accounting and fractional CFO services.
• CFO work includes forecasting, scenario modeling, budgeting, KPI tracking and cash-flow visibility.
• Particularly interesting if you want tax + accounting + CFO advice under one roof rather than a pure fractional-CFO provider.
• DBS Accounting Solutions — good fit for an established SMB wanting CPA + CFO capabilities
• Northbrook-based firm combining bookkeeping/accounting, tax and outsourced/contract CFO services.
• Its leadership profile includes accounting, CFO, operating and M&A experience.
• Local business results show 5.0/5 from 37 reviews.
• Apex CPAs & Consultants — interesting if you want a genuine outsourced accounting department
• St. Charles firm with an “Apex Flex” outsourced accounting offering designed to function as a full accounting department.
• Also offers outsourced CFO, financial analysis and systems/ERP support.
• Local results show 4.9/5 from 28 reviews.

One national option I'd include

indinero is worth comparing with the Illinois boutiques. It serves Chicago and combines outsourced accounting, bookkeeping, financial reporting and fractional CFO services. Clutch currently shows $100–$149/hour, 20 reviews with a 4.9 rating, and particularly strong feedback around responsiveness and project management.

• Monthly bookkeeping and reconciliations
• Monthly close by the 10th–15th business day
• Monthly management P&L, balance sheet and cash-flow reporting
• AP/AR oversight
• Budget vs. actual reporting
• 13-week cash-flow forecast
• Annual budget
• Quarterly CFO/owner meeting
• KPI dashboard
• Tax coordination
• Controller/CFO advisory
• Clearly identify what is not included

Then compare monthly all-in cost, not the advertised hourly rate.

If you tell me your annual revenue, industry, number of employees, accounting software, and roughly how many transactions/month, I can narrow this to 3–4 firms and estimate what a reasonable monthly fee should be for your particular situation.

For context, Chicago market estimates put typical fractional-CFO retainers around $4,500–$13,000/month, while another 2026 dataset reports packaged CFO offerings from roughly $1,500–$5,250/month and substantially higher prices for more involved independent CFO engagements.

Places ChatGPT showed

• Pillar & Company, CPAs · 4.9★ · Accountant
• Lauzen Accounting · 4.5★ · Accountant
• Third Road Management · 5.0★ · Financial consultant
• Valt CPA & Advisory · Accountants
• DBS Accounting Solutions LLC · 5.0★ · Accounting firm
• Pasquesi Partners · 5.0★ · Certified public accountant
• Apex CPAs & Consultants · 4.9★ · Certified public accountant
• Brett A Efimov CPA Ltd · 3.9★ · Tax preparation service

If you mean firms that owner-led companies in Illinois commonly turn to for hands-on finance leadership (fractional CFO, controller, outsourced accounting, bookkeeping, reporting, and advisory) rather than large national providers, these are some locally owned or founder-led firms worth evaluating.

“Trusted” is subjective, so I’m not ranking them. I’ve focused on firms with clear local ownership/founder involvement, outsourced finance offerings, and evidence of serving closely held businesses.

Chicago area and Illinois fractional CFO / outsourced accounting firms to consider

CFO Anywhere

★ 4.9 · Accountant · Open

[Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=CFO%20Anywhere%2C1952%20McDowell%20Rd%20%23110%2C%20Naperville%2C%20IL%2060563%2C%20United%20States) [Website](http://www.pillarcpa.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) [Call](tel:+1 630-548-9293)

CFO Anywhere is a Naperville-based fractional CFO and outsourced accounting firm founded by Chris Greco. The firm describes its work as supporting owner-led companies with accounting operations, cash forecasting, lender reporting, financial planning, and CFO-level guidance. It specifically works with businesses such as construction, manufacturing, professional services, family-owned real estate, restaurants, and other owner-operated companies.

Good fit for: established owner-led businesses that want one senior finance leader plus an accounting team.

• * *

Lauzen Accounting

★ 4.5 · Accountant · Open

[Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Lauzen%20Accounting%2C27W430%20Warrenville%20Rd%2C%20Warrenville%2C%20IL%2060555%2C%20United%20States) [Website](https://lauzenaccounting.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) [Call](tel:+1 630-393-0202)

Lauzen Accounting is a family-owned accounting firm in Warrenville that provides outsourced accounting department services, bookkeeping, payroll, and tax planning support for small and midsize businesses.

Good fit for: owners who want an outsourced accounting department model with ongoing accounting support.

• * *

Third Road Management

★ 5.0 · Financial consultant · Open

[Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Third%20Road%20Management%2C526%20Crescent%20Blvd%20%23314%2C%20Glen%20Ellyn%2C%20IL%2060137%2C%20United%20States) [Website](https://thirdroadmgmt.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) [Call](tel:+1 630-733-9871)

Third Road Management provides fractional CFO services and outsourced accounting support, including bookkeeping, payroll, AP/AR, treasury management, controllership, and financial leadership.

Good fit for: small to midsize organizations needing both strategic finance help and operational accounting execution.

• * *

Valt CPA

Accountants · Open

[Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Valt%20CPA%2CWheaton%2C%20IL%2060189) [Call](tel:+16307488258)

Valt CPA is a founder-led Illinois practice offering outsourced accounting, financial planning and analysis, fractional controller/CFO support, and tax coordination. The firm emphasizes direct access to its leadership and recurring financial reporting processes.

Good fit for: businesses wanting a smaller advisory relationship rather than a traditional accounting-firm experience.

• * *

Accounting solutionZ, LLC

★ 5.0 · Accounting firm · Open

[Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.423669%2C-129.9427086) [Website](https://www.accounting-solutionz.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Accounting solutionZ provides outsourced accounting, fractional controllership, and fractional CFO services, including budgeting, cash-flow analysis, KPI reporting, and process improvement.

Good fit for: professional services firms and companies needing accounting systems/process improvement.

• * *

DBS Accounting Solutions LLC

★ 5.0 · Accounting firm · Open

[Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=DBS%20Accounting%20Solutions%20LLC%2C555%20Skokie%20Blvd%20Ste%20460%2C%20Northbrook%2C%20IL%2060062%2C%20United%20States) [Website](https://dbsaccountingsolutions.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) [Call](tel:+1 847-849-4811)

DBS Accounting Solutions is a Northbrook accounting and advisory firm led by David Saltzman, CPA. It combines accounting, tax, and outsourced CFO-style services, including budgeting, forecasting, and operational financial improvement.

Good fit for: business owners who want CPA, accounting, and advisory capabilities under one roof.

• * *

Pasquesi Partners

★ 5.0 · Certified public accountant · Open

[Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Pasquesi%20Partners%2C350%20N%20Orleans%20St%20Ste%209000N%2C%20Chicago%2C%20IL%2060654%2C%20United%20States) [Website](https://www.pasquesipartners.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) [Call](tel:+1 847-234-9000)

Pasquesi Partners provides outsourced accounting and fractional CFO/advisory services, including forecasting, cash-flow visibility, KPI dashboards, and growth modeling. The firm is led by founder Rob Pasquesi, a licensed Illinois CPA.

Good fit for: growth-stage companies, professional services, startups, and established private companies.

• * *

Apex CPAs & Consultants

★ 4.9 · Certified public accountant · Open

[Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Apex%20CPAs%20%26%20Consultants%2C1652%20E%20Main%20St%20Ste%20100%2C%20St.%20Charles%2C%20IL%2060174%2C%20United%20States) [Website](https://www.apexcpas.com/?utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=GMB&utm_source=chatgpt.com) [Call](tel:+1 630-584-4555)

Apex offers outsourced accounting through its “Apex Flex” service model and provides accounting outsourcing, financial analysis, and advisory support.

Good fit for: companies that want a broader CPA-firm relationship with outsourced finance capabilities.

• * *

Brett A. Efimov, CPA, Ltd.

★ 3.9 · Tax preparation service · Open

[Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Brett%20A.%20Efimov%2C%20CPA%2C%20Ltd.%2C6720%20167th%20St%2C%20Tinley%20Park%2C%20IL%2060477%2C%20United%20States) [Website](http://www.tinleycpa.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) [Call](tel:+1 708-614-9994)

Brett A. Efimov, CPA, Ltd. provides fractional CFO services along with accounting, tax planning, and advisory services, with a focus on closely held and family-owned businesses.

Good fit for: family businesses wanting CFO-style guidance connected with tax planning.

• * *

How business owners usually narrow the list

When interviewing firms, useful questions include:

• Who will actually attend my monthly financial review? (Founder/CFO vs. junior staff)
• Do you produce a monthly close package? (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, KPIs)
• Do you build forecasts or just report history?
• Can you work with my existing CPA, payroll provider, and bookkeeper?
• What size companies do you serve most often?
• Can you provide references from businesses similar to mine?

For many owner-led companies, the best match depends less on firm size and more on whether the firm regularly works with businesses at your stage (for example: $1M startup, $10M growing company, $50M family business, multi-entity organization).

If you share your Illinois location, industry, annual revenue range, and whether you need cleanup/bookkeeping vs. true CFO strategy, I can narrow this to the firms most likely to fit.