“For fifteen years Hartwell has handled our returns and our books. They caught an S-Corp election that saved us more in one year than we've paid them in five.”
Robert Chen
Owner, Chen Family Dental
Certified Public Accountants · Evanston, IL
Steady guidance for every season of your business.
Tax, accounting, payroll and advisory from a firm that has answered the phone for 27 years. Fixed fees, a CPA on every engagement, and advice in plain English.
- Licensed CPA firm
- AICPA member
- Fixed-fee pricing
- Est. 1998
- Licensed CPA Firm
- AICPA Member
- 4.9 ★ on Google
- 1,200+ clients
What we do
Accounting and tax services, under one roof
From the annual return to the monthly close, one team that already knows your business.
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Tax Preparation
Accurate, on-time federal and state returns for individuals, families and businesses of every structure.
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Tax Planning
Proactive, year-round strategies that keep more of what you earn — not just a once-a-year look backward.
Bookkeeping & Accounting
Clean, reconciled books every month so you always know where your business stands.
From $350/mo
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Business Advisory
Practical guidance on cash flow, profitability, growth and the decisions that keep you up at night.
27+
Years in practice
About the firm
A partner, not just a preparer
Hartwell & Associates was founded on a simple idea: business owners deserve a CPA who picks up the phone, explains the numbers without jargon, and plans ahead instead of looking back.
Today a team of fourteen serves more than 1,200 clients across the North Shore and beyond — many of them for over a decade.
- 27 years serving the North Shore
- Partners personally involved in every engagement
- Average client relationship: 11 years
- 27+Years in practiceServing the region since 1998
- 1,200+Clients servedIndividuals and businesses
- $4.8MTax savings identifiedFor clients last year
- 97%Client retentionYear over year
Who we serve
Deep experience in the industries that drive our region
Small Business
Owner-operated companies that need a reliable, plain-English accounting partner.
Real Estate Investors
Depreciation, 1031 exchanges, cost segregation and entity structures for landlords and developers.
Medical & Dental Practices
Practice profitability, owner pay, equipment purchases and retirement plan design.
Construction & Contractors
Job costing, percentage-of-completion accounting and bonding-ready financial statements.
Professional Services
Law firms, consultancies and agencies with partner draws, trust accounting and S-Corp questions.
Restaurants & Hospitality
Tip reporting, tight margins and multi-location books handled by people who understand the industry.
Nonprofits
Fund accounting, Form 990 and board-ready reporting that protects your exempt status.
Individuals & Families
Straightforward returns, life-event planning and estate coordination for households.
How it works
Getting started is simple
- 01
Discovery call
A 30-minute conversation about your situation, goals and what's not working today.
Week 1
- 02
Review & proposal
We review prior returns and books, then send a fixed-fee proposal with no surprises.
Week 1–2
- 03
Onboarding
Portal setup, document collection and a clean-up plan if your books need it.
Week 2–3
- 04
Year-round partnership
Monthly reporting, mid-year planning and a CPA who answers the phone.
Ongoing
Client stories
Trusted by owners, professionals and families
4.9 · 132 Google reviews
- via google
“When we got an IRS notice I panicked. Thomas took it over completely and it was resolved in six weeks with no penalty. That's why you hire a CPA.”
via googleLinda Moreno
Founder, Moreno Landscaping
“Margaret walked us through selling the business two years before we did it. The planning meant we kept far more of the proceeds.”
Susan & Mark Adler
Former owners, Adler Supply Co.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much do your services cost?
We quote fixed fees before any work begins. Individual returns start at $450, business returns at $1,200, and monthly bookkeeping at $350. There are no hourly surprises.
Do I need to come into the office?
No. Most clients work with us entirely through our secure portal, video calls and e-signature. You're always welcome to visit, and we're happy to meet in person for planning sessions.
When should I send you my tax documents?
As soon as you have them — ideally by mid-February for individuals and by the end of February for businesses. We'll send a personalized organizer in January.
Can you help if I haven't filed for several years?
Yes. We regularly bring clients current on unfiled returns, negotiate penalties and set up payment plans. The first step is a confidential conversation.
What accounting software do you support?
QuickBooks Online and Xero primarily. We can also work with QuickBooks Desktop and migrate you from spreadsheets or other systems.
Ready for a CPA who plans ahead?
Book a free 30-minute consultation. We'll review your situation and tell you honestly whether we're the right fit.
- No cost, no obligation
- Reply within one business day
Office hours: Mon – Fri · 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM