Black-owned. Chicago-rooted.

Build a business. Leave a legacy.

Accounting, tax and advisory for small-business owners building strong financial foundations.

Led by Vena Nelson, CPA, MBA. Illinois-licensed CPA with more than 30 years of executive-level finance experience.

What prompted you to reach out today?

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Vena Nelson, CEO of Go Big Accounting, smiling with both arms raised, in a yellow jacket over a yellow floral top, in front of a plain grey backdrop.
Vena Nelson, CPA, MBAChief Executive Officer

Rooted in community. Built for ownership.

Services

Go Big Services

Tell us where your business needs support. We'll walk you through the services that fit.

Service details

01

Accounting & Tax

GO BIG Accounting & Tax Services

Accounting and bookkeeping, financial statements and reporting, and tax support: e-filed business and individual returns, tax strategy and IRS representation.

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Accounting & reporting

  • General Accounting
  • Bank Reconciliations
  • Financial Statements & Reporting
  • Budgeting
  • Accounting Software Setup
  • Audit Readiness

Tax

  • E-File Individual & Business Tax Returns
  • Sales Tax Reporting
  • Tax Strategy
  • IRS Client Representation

Business setup & growth

  • Incorporation Services
  • Business Expansion
  • Business Center & Co-Working Space Rental

Liaison & partner coordination

  • Payroll Liaison
  • Merchant Services Liaison
  • Partnership with other CPA's

Leadership

The accountant
at the table.

“[Mr. Jackson] taught me that the accountant was at the table when major business decisions were made.”

Vena Nelson, on the elementary school teacher who first showed her debits and credits

Vena Nelson, CPA, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

Founder & CEO, Go Big Accounting, Inc.

Vena passed the CPA exam in 1988 and went on to Controller and CFO-level roles at a university, a hotel and resort company, a church and a family real estate business. Go Big puts that experience to work for small-business owners, including the Black-owned businesses she knows through her Chicago community relationships, on their books, tax filings and financing.

Vena "Big Money" Nelson is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and financial advisor with more than 30 years of executive-level experience in Controller and CFO roles. She is the Founder and CEO of Go Big Accounting, Inc., a boutique advisory firm approaching its 10-year anniversary, where she provides CFO-level insight, tax strategy and compliance leadership to small businesses, nonprofits and mission-driven organizations.

  • MBA · University of Chicago Booth School of Business
  • BS · Illinois State University
  • CPA · Certified Public Accountant licensed with the State of Illinois
Vena Nelson, CPA, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of Go Big Accounting, Inc.

Vena "Big Money" Nelson

Founder & CEO, Go Big Accounting, Inc.

Career highlights

  • $40 million

    financial management to an organization with $40 million in annual revenues

  • 30+

    supervision of 30(+) accounting staff employees

  • $8 million

    growing a startup business to approximately $8 million in assets

  • $7.5 million

    securing financing for a $7.5 million new construction project

Previous financial executive positions

  • Chief Financial Officer

    Global Estates, LLC (family owned real estates/construction company)

  • Chief Financial Officer

    Rock of Ages Baptist Church (mega church)

  • Associate Vice President & Controller

    Tuskegee University

  • Assistant Controller

    Destination Hotel & Resort

About GBA

A Black-owned firm for small-business owners.

Go Big Accounting is based in Maywood. We keep the books, prepare and file tax returns, and help owners get ready for financing and for government and corporate contracts.

We keep the services small businesses depend on affordable. Our goal is to help small businesses reach $1 million in revenue through training and strategic planning.

Our Vision is to build durable community economies by supporting small-business ownership and development.

Our Mission is to take these opportunities and identify ways to scale revenues, assets and job creation.

We work with the small businesses most firms ignore, from the incorporation filing through monthly books, tax season and financing.

Our services cover day-to-day upkeep and longer-range planning without breaking the bank.

Accounting, tax, capital and business planning sit under one roof, so owners can bring most financial questions to one firm.

Business Center & Co-Working Space Rental

Global Business Center

GBA Office Building
840 South 17th Avenue
Maywood, Illinois 60153

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Conference Room

  • Fully Equipped01
  • Executive Office Environment02
  • Cost Effective03
  • Affordable Solutions04

Co-Working Office

  • Daily & Monthly Rentals01
  • Furnished Office02
  • High-Speed WIFI03
  • Copies/Fax04
  • Office Supplies05
  • Training Facility06
  • Mailbox Service07

FAQ

Common questions

  • One of our Client Service Representatives will respond to you within two business days. Or you can call us at 708-356-1777 in the Chicago, Ill., area, between 9a.m.–5p.m. CST Monday–Friday.

  • We could have listed all of our services, but we would rather speak to you and walk you through a customized plan of services. Fill out the intake form and one of our intake specialists will contact you.

    Intake Form

  • Monthly Accounting Services: General Accounting, Coding Transactions, Reconciling Accounts, Financial Statements (Balance Sheet/Profit & Loss), Accounts Receivable Analysis, Accounts Payable Analysis, Sales Taxes, Payroll Support, Budgeting, Third-Party Reporting, Inventory Management, Fixed Assets, Annual Reports, Loan Applications, Grant Applications, Business Plans, Meeting Attendance & Presentations.

  • Go Big - Sports, Hospitality, Arts, Music, & Entertainment: Specialized Industry Focus, Financial Consulting, Accounting Support, WMBE Certified.

  • GBA Office Building, 840 South 17th Avenue, Maywood, Illinois 60153. Business Center & Co-Working Space Rental with Daily & Monthly Rentals.

Contact Us

Getting in Touch

One of our Client Service Representatives will respond to you within two business days. Or you can call us at 708-356-1777 in the Chicago, Ill., area, between 9a.m.–5p.m. CST Monday–Friday.

Fill out the intake form and one of our intake specialists will contact you.

Intake Formfocus@gobigaccounting.com

GBA Office Building

840 South 17th Avenue
Maywood, Illinois 60153

Get directions
O(708) 356 1777C(773) 980 7589
F(708) 356 1711
Efocus@gobigaccounting.com

Hours

9a.m.–5p.m. CST Monday–Friday