Twenty-seven years of steady guidance
Founded in 1998, Hartwell & Associates has grown from a two-person practice into a fourteen-person firm — without losing the personal attention that got us here.
Built on relationships
“Business owners deserve a CPA who picks up the phone.”— Margaret Hartwell, Managing Partner
Margaret Hartwell opened the firm after a decade in Big Four tax practice, convinced that closely held businesses were underserved by firms built for public companies.
The early clients were neighbours: a dentist, a landscaper, a family restaurant. Many of them are still clients today, along with their children's businesses.
We've grown carefully, added outsourced accounting and payroll when clients asked for it, and moved to a fully digital practice — but the partners still review every return and still answer the phone.
Four things you can count on
Plain English
We explain the numbers without jargon so you can make decisions with confidence.
Proactive, not reactive
Planning happens before the year ends, when it can still change the outcome.
Fixed, fair fees
You'll know the price before we start. No clock-watching, no surprise invoices.
Long-term relationships
Our average client has been with us eleven years. We intend to earn the next eleven.
Margaret Hartwell
Managing Partner, CPA
Meet Margaret Hartwell
“Numbers tell a story. We help you write a better one.”
Margaret founded Hartwell & Associates in 1998 after ten years at a Big Four firm, where she specialised in tax for closely held businesses and their owners.
She holds a Master of Science in Taxation and has represented clients before the IRS for more than two decades. Margaret speaks regularly to business groups on entity selection and succession planning.
Outside the office she chairs the finance committee of a regional food bank.
Focus areas
- Tax planning for business owners
- Succession and exit planning
- IRS representation
Milestones
1998
Firm founded
Margaret Hartwell opens a two-person practice in downtown Evanston.
2005
Accounting services launched
Outsourced bookkeeping and payroll added for growing clients.
2012
Move to Davis Street
The firm relocates to its current offices to accommodate a team of twelve.
2016
Daniel Okafor named partner
Real estate and multi-state practice expands.
2023
Fully digital onboarding
Secure portal, e-signature and video planning sessions for every client.
Awards and recognition
Best Accounting Firm
Chicago Reader Readers' Choice · 2025
Top 50 Small Firms
Accounting Today · 2024
Community Impact Award
Evanston Chamber of Commerce · 2023
Meet the people behind the numbers
Work with a firm that knows your name
Schedule a no-obligation consultation with a partner.