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Image for event: Closing Strong

Closing Strong

Year-End Financial & Tax Strategies for Small Business

2026-01-20 18:00:00 2026-01-20 19:30:00 America/Chicago Closing Strong Main Library - Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Tuesday, January 20
6:00pm - 7:30pm

Add to Calendar 2026-01-20 18:00:00 2026-01-20 19:30:00 America/Chicago Closing Strong Main Library - Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Main Library

Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Year-end is not just about closing your books - it’s about opening opportunities. When you combine solid financial management with proactive tax planning, you turn compliance into a competitive advantage.

Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Identify key year-end accounting and bookkeeping tasks (reconciliations, adjustments, financial statements).
  • Apply tax-saving strategies before December 31 - including expense timing, retirement plan contributions, and depreciation elections.
  • Understand common compliance filings (Forms W-2, 1099, 940/941, and state reports).
  • Plan proactively for the new fiscal year with budgets, forecasts, and tax strategy alignment.

About the presenter: Helen Zhang, President and Partner, Financial Brillance Accounting Firm, provides startups with high-quality financial, tax advisory and virtual CFO services. Helen is a Certified Public Accountant, senior Human Resources management certified, and Six Sigma Black Belt certified. Helen holds Master's Degrees in Business and Accounting, and she has management experience in Fortune 500 companies, higher education, tech startups, and accounting firms. She as taught managerial accounting courses at the Gies College of Business at University of Illinois. Helen serves as an Entrprepreneur-in-Residence at the Research Park at University of Illinois. Her services aim to support clients' financial health, business growth, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability. She has led Financial Brillance Accounting Firm to win a Worldwide Finance Award for Best Community-Focused Acccountancy Firm 2025-Illinois. 


Starting or growing a business? We can help. champaign.org/launch

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Business |

TAGS: | |

Main Library

librarian@champaign.org
Phone: 217-403-2000

Hours
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Mon, Dec 15 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Dec 16 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Dec 17 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Dec 18 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Dec 19 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Sat, Dec 20 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Dec 21 12:00PM to 6:00PM

About the branch

Our beautiful, state-of-the-art Main Library opened on January 6, 2008. You’ll find a wide variety of books, movies, and music, as well as free events for all ages. Looking for tech options? We offer free Wifi, dozens of public computers with internet access, and public meeting rooms.

Upcoming events

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Mon, Dec 22, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Tue, Dec 23, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Wed, Dec 24, All day

Thu, Dec 25, All day

Fri, Dec 26, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Sat, Dec 27, 9:45am - 10:15am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Mon, Dec 29, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Tue, Dec 30, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Tue, Dec 30, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Friends Conference Room (215)

Wed, Dec 31, 9:45am - 10:15am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Wed, Dec 31, 11:15am - 11:45am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Wed, Dec 31, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
The Studio

Wed, Dec 31, 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Thu, Jan 01, All day

Fri, Jan 02, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Fri, Jan 02, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Fri, Jan 02, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Sat, Jan 03, 9:45am - 10:15am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Mon, Jan 05, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Tue, Jan 06, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Tue, Jan 06, 10:00am - 11:00am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Tue, Jan 06, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Friends Conference Room (215)

Tue, Jan 06, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
The Studio

Wed, Jan 07, 9:45am - 10:15am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Wed, Jan 07, 11:00am - 1:00pm

Wed, Jan 07, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
The Studio

Wed, Jan 07, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
The Studio

Thu, Jan 08, 10:00am - 10:45am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Thu, Jan 08, 10:00am - 11:00am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Thu, Jan 08, 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Thu, Jan 08, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Thu, Jan 08, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
The Studio

Thu, Jan 08, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Thu, Jan 08, 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Fri, Jan 09, 9:30am - 11:30am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Fri, Jan 09, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
The Studio

Fri, Jan 09, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Fri, Jan 09, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Fri, Jan 09, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Sat, Jan 10, 9:45am - 10:15am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Sat, Jan 10, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B,Robeson Pavilion Room C

Mon, Jan 12, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Mon, Jan 12, 1:00pm - 4:30pm
The Studio

Tue, Jan 13, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Tue, Jan 13, 10:00am - 11:00am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Tue, Jan 13, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Friends Conference Room (215)

Tue, Jan 13, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
The Studio

Tue, Jan 13, 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Wed, Jan 14, 9:45am - 10:15am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Wed, Jan 14, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
The Studio

Wed, Jan 14, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
The Studio
Registration opens Friday, January 2 2026 at 9:00am

Thu, Jan 15, 10:00am - 10:45am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Thu, Jan 15, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
The Studio

Thu, Jan 15, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Thu, Jan 15, 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Fri, Jan 16, 9:30am - 11:30am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Fri, Jan 16, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
The Studio

Fri, Jan 16, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Fri, Jan 16, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Fri, Jan 16, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Sat, Jan 17, 9:45am - 10:15am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Cancelled
Sun, Jan 18, 2:00pm - 5:30pm

Sun, Jan 18, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Mon, Jan 19, All day

Tue, Jan 20, 9:45am - 10:05am
Nate & Lillie Story Room

Tue, Jan 20, 10:00am - 11:00am
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

Tue, Jan 20, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Friends Conference Room (215)

Tue, Jan 20, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
The Studio

Tue, Jan 20, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Robeson Pavilion Room A & B