CJBS

🌟 Meet the CJBS Members

In this series, we introduce the senior leaders and owners of CJBS — the Members who help shape strategy, support clients, and guide the firm’s evolution.

Today we’re highlighting Andrew Lotts, CPA, Member.

Andrew brings a blend of technical expertise and thoughtful judgment to his work with clients. He focuses on helping organizations strengthen financial reporting, improve internal controls, and confidently navigate complex accounting and compliance issues. His approach centers on understanding the core challenges organizations face and translating financial insight into practical pathways forward.

Outside of client service, Andrew serves as Treasurer for Maryville Academy, where he applies his financial leadership to support the organization’s mission serving children and families in need.

Andrew’s work reflects a commitment to thoughtful stewardship — both in the way he engages with financial detail and the way he shows up in the community.

👉 Learn more about Andrew and his role at CJBS:
https://cjbs.com/our-team/andrew-lotts/

🌟 Meet the CJBS Members

We’re kicking off a new series introducing the Members of CJBS — the firm’s senior leaders and owners who help guide our work and long-term direction.

First up: Jeffrey Stuart, CPA.

Jeffrey brings a steady, thoughtful approach to his work, supporting organizations as they navigate financial reporting, compliance, and internal oversight. He values consistency, clear information, and helping clients understand how their financial picture connects to broader decisions.

Beyond his work with clients, Jeffrey serves on the Finance Committee at St. Norbert’s Church in Northbrook, where he contributes his financial expertise to support the parish’s operations and stewardship.

Jeffrey’s perspective reflects the kind of leadership that emphasizes clarity, responsibility, and long-term thinking — qualities that shape how CJBS shows up for its clients.

👉 Learn more about Jeffrey and his role at CJBS:
https://cjbs.com/our-team/jeffrey-stuart/

Strong financial decisions are rarely the result of one service in isolation. They come from having the right pieces working together.

At CJBS, our work centers around four core specialties that support organizations at every stage:

Accounting
We provide modern tools and practical solutions to help manage books efficiently, securely, and with greater visibility—so financial information is useful, not just recorded.

Tax
Our tax work focuses on closing the gap between internal financial reporting and external tax preparation, allowing for informed planning and clearer decision-making throughout the year.

Consulting
We start by understanding your “why,” then apply a customized approach to help streamline operations, improve processes, and plan for what’s ahead.

Auditing
Our audit services examine financial statements and internal controls while helping organizations navigate accounting standards and regulatory requirements with confidence.

Together, these specialties create a more connected financial picture—one that supports clarity, planning, and long-term stability.

https://cjbs.com/

Buying or selling a business involves planning, analysis, and coordination across many moving parts.

At CJBS, our Mergers & Acquisitions services support business owners throughout the transaction process, from early planning through closing and post-transaction considerations.

Our M&A support includes:

🤝 Transaction planning and preparation

🤝 Financial, tax, and operational due diligence

🤝 Valuation support and analysis

🤝 Assistance with deal structure and negotiation

🤝 Post-transaction integration planning

This work focuses on providing the financial insight and structure needed to support informed decisions at each stage of a transaction.
Learn more about CJBS Mergers & Acquisitions services:

Mergers & Acquisitions | CJBS Accounting Firm | Chicago, IL Let the dedicated, experienced staff at CJBS guide you through the mergers and acquisition process. Learn more about our process now.

Specializing in closely held businesses, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, and not-for-profit organizations, CJBS is the perfect partner if you’re looking for a long-term advisory firm.

In fact, most of our clients have been with us an average of 15 years. The reason?

We listen, we get to know you and reach a point where we can offer you focused personal advice.

Our view is that any accountant can tell you what you did last year.

Where you really receive added value is through holistic and proactive consulting support that is forward thinking, so that you can reach – and exceed – your business goals.

https://cjbs.com/

🌿 We work directly with cannabis operators to manage tax planning and compliance.

At CJBS, our cannabis clients operate under tax rules that affect everything from daily operations to long-term planning.

Staying compliant requires careful attention to federal limitations, state-level requirements, and industry-specific regulations.

Our work includes tax return preparation, sales and excise tax filings, entity structure planning, and cost allocation tied to inventory and operations.

We also help operators apply Section 280E and inventory rules under Section 471 in a way that supports accurate reporting and informed decision-making.

Consistent tax planning helps reduce surprises and gives operators a clearer picture of where the business stands throughout the year.

Learn more about CJBS’s Cannabis Tax Planning & Compliance services:
https://cjbs.com/cannabis-tax-accounting-services/cjbs-cannabis-tax-planning-compliance/

Forensic accounting focuses on investigating financial activity, analyzing records, and providing clarity in complex or disputed situations.

At CJBS, our forensic accounting team supports organizations, attorneys, and stakeholders when the details matter most.

Our forensic accounting services include:

🔎 Litigation support for shareholder disputes, business dissolutions, malpractice matters, and bankruptcy accounting

🔎 Asset recovery, economic damage calculations, and lost profit analysis

🔎 Due diligence, financial and operational analysis, and evidence review

🔎 Risk assessments and internal control documentation, design, and testing

🔎 Support related to insolvency, corporate fraud, breach of contract, and matrimonial matters

This work provides structure and insight in situations where financial clarity is essential.

Learn more about CJBS’s Forensic Accounting services:
https://cjbs.com/services/forensic-accounting/

Even well-run, long-established businesses can reach a point where their financial processes stop keeping pace with day-to-day operations.

A 4th-generation insurance business came to CJBS feeling uncertain about their financial picture. Reports were being produced, but there was little clarity around what the numbers meant or how they should be used to guide decisions.

Through more consistent communication, clearer reporting, and a planning-focused approach, the team was able to regain confidence in their financial information and shift from reacting at year-end to managing proactively throughout the year.

The result was a stronger sense of control and the ability to make decisions with clarity rather than guesswork.

👉 Read the full client story here:
https://cjbs.com/how-cjbs-helped-a-fourth-generation-insurance-business-regain-control-and-confidence/

Every organization faces decisions that fall outside routine accounting or compliance work. That’s where consulting can make a real difference.

At CJBS, our Consulting Services help leaders navigate tough questions and practical challenges—with insights rooted in real operational experience.

Our consulting work includes:
• Operational improvement and process design
• Strategic planning and financial modeling
• Systems and workflow assessments
• Technology selection and implementation support
• Performance reporting and KPI development

These are the types of projects that strengthen internal decision-making and create a foundation for future growth.

If you’ve ever needed a sounding board, a structured plan, or someone to help break a complex problem into actionable steps, consulting work can provide that clarity.

Learn more about how CJBS supports organizations through consulting:
https://cjbs.com/services/consulting-services/

Consumer packaged goods brands face a unique set of operational and financial challenges — from managing inventory and supply chain fluctuation to navigating product margins and scaling distribution.

At CJBS, we work with CPG companies to build practical financial processes that support growth and clarity across key areas of the business.

Our CPG services include:
• Accounting & Bookkeeping tailored to product-centric operations
• Tax Planning & Compliance aligned with industry-specific deductions and structures
• Audit & Risk Services for confidence in financial reporting
• Valuation, M&A, and Transaction Support for strategic decisions
• Operational Advisory that connects financial insights to business outcomes

Strong financial clarity makes it easier to manage working capital, plan inventory purchases, and forecast profit margins — all essential components in the CPG world.

👉 Learn more about how we support CPG brands here:

Consumer Packaged Goods Accounting | CJBS Accounting Firm | Chicago, IL Consumer Packaged Goods Accounting & Advisory Services With multiple years of specialized experience, CJBS is a leading authority in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and Food & Beverage sectors. Our comprehensive understanding of the industry-specific challenges—ranging from intense global compet...

As you file your 2025 tax return this year, it’s important to keep in mind the changes introduced by the One Big Beautiful Bill.

This tax reform affects a wide range of areas, including the standard deduction, the SALT deduction cap, charitable contributions, education savings, and estate planning considerations. These updates are showing up directly on returns being filed in 2026.

We’ve outlined what’s changed and what to be aware of as you prepare to file over on our blog: https://cjbs.com/the-big-beautiful-bill-how-2025s-tax-reform-will-affect-your-finances/

At CJBS, we’re here to help you understand how these changes apply to your situation as tax season moves forward.

The Big Beautiful Bill: How 2025’s Tax Reform Will Affect Your Finances | CJBS Accounting Firm | Chicago, IL The Big Beautiful Bill: How 2025’s Tax Reform Will Affect Your Finances CJBS August 19, 2025 6 MIN READ Tags: Accounting News On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed a major piece of tax reform legislation into law. Nicknamed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” it represents the largest update to th...