Policies & Ethics

Updated: June 8, 2026

This page exists because we believe you deserve to know exactly how Clarke Professional Accounting conducts itself, not just what services we offer, but how we treat clients, how we handle disagreements, what we guarantee, and where we draw ethical lines.

If something on this page raises a question, or if your experience with us doesn’t match what’s written here, we want to hear about it. Contact info@clarkepa.com.

These are the specific behaviors we hold ourselves to that govern how we work with every client.

We tell you the truth, even when it’s not what you want to hear. If your books are in worse shape than you thought, if a tax strategy isn’t in your best interest, or if Clarke isn’t the right fit for your situation, we’ll say so directly. We don’t oversell, and we don’t tell clients what they want to hear to win business.

We return calls and emails promptly. You will hear back from us within one business day. If we need more time to research an answer, we’ll tell you that and give you a timeline. You will never wonder if your message was received.

We explain things in plain language. Accounting has its own vocabulary, and we know it can be confusing. We don’t hide behind jargon. If we use a term you don’t recognize, ask us, explaining it is part of our job.

We protect your confidentiality. Information you share with us is used only to serve you. We do not discuss client situations with outside parties, and we never use one client’s information to benefit another.

We stay current on our professional obligations. Tax law changes. Payroll regulations change. Accounting standards evolve. We maintain our licensure, pursue continuing education, and stay current on the regulations that affect our clients.

We don’t take on work we’re not qualified to handle. If something falls outside our expertise, we’ll tell you and, where possible, refer you to someone who can help. Taking on work we’re not equipped to do would not be in your interest.

We price our services fairly and transparently. Pricing is discussed and agreed upon before work begins. If scope changes, we tell you before we keep going not after.

Clarke Professional Accounting operates under applicable state and federal professional standards for accounting and tax services.

License Type: Limited Business License

License Number: #3064963

Issuing authority: City of Chicago

License status: Active

Renewal date: January 15, 2028

Professional memberships: PASBA – Professional Association of Small Business Accountants

Insurance: Clarke Professional Accounting carries professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance. If you need confirmation of coverage for any reason, contact us directly.

What we stand behind: We guarantee that all work delivered by Clarke Professional Accounting is prepared carefully, accurately, and in accordance with applicable professional standards. If we make an error, a miscalculation, a missed filing, an incorrect entry, we will correct it at no additional cost and, where applicable, take responsibility for any penalties or interest directly caused by our mistake.

What’s covered:

Errors in bookkeeping entries made by our team

Missed filing deadlines where Clarke was responsible for the filing

Incorrect tax calculations resulting from our preparation work

What’s not covered:

Issues arising from incomplete, inaccurate, or late information provided by the client

Changes in tax law or regulatory guidance after work is completed

Situations outside the agreed scope of services

How to make a claim:

Contact us directly and describe the issue. We will review it promptly, take responsibility where appropriate, and communicate a resolution plan within five business days.

Written estimates, always. Before any work begins, you’ll receive a written scope and a fixed monthly price. Nothing is assumed. Nothing is added without your explicit agreement.

No hourly billing. Clarke does not bill by the hour. Your monthly fee covers the agreed scope of services including questions, calls, and ongoing communication. You are never penalized for reaching out.

No hidden fees. Our pricing doesn’t include surprise charges for routine communication, document preparation, or standard services within your scope. If something falls outside what was agreed, we’ll tell you before we proceed and give you the option to adjust.

Scope changes. If your business changes: new employees, new states, new complexity, your scope may need to change too. When that happens, we’ll have an honest conversation about what’s needed and what the revised pricing looks like. You’ll always have a chance to review and approve before anything changes.

Clarke Professional Accounting operates primarily as a paperless firm. Client documents, financial records, and correspondence are managed digitally through secure platforms wherever possible.

Physical documents: When physical documents are received or generated, they are handled securely and disposed of through cross-cut shredding or certified destruction, never discarded in standard waste.

Electronic records: Client data stored digitally is maintained on secured, access-controlled platforms. When records are no longer needed and are cleared for disposal, they are permanently deleted rather than archived indefinitely.

We encourage clients to share documents digitally through our client portal rather than by mail or fax wherever possible.

Clarke Professional Accounting uses AI writing tools as part of our content development process to generate initial drafts and assist with research and organization. Every piece of content published under the Clarke name is reviewed, edited, and approved by a member of our team before publication. AI output is a starting point, not a final product.

Clarke Professional Accounting is committed to making this website usable by as many people as possible, including those who use assistive technologies or have disabilities.

We aim to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at Level AA — the widely accepted standard for web accessibility.

This is an ongoing effort. We recognize that accessibility requires continuous attention and we are committed to improving as we identify gaps.

Encountered a problem? If you experience difficulty accessing any part of this website, please contact us. We’ll work to provide the information you need in an alternative format and address any barriers identified.