Financial Statements Your Stakeholders Trust — Audit & Assurance in Chicago, IL
Meridian is an independent audit firm serving Chicago businesses, nonprofits, and benefit plans. Thorough, on-time audits that satisfy lenders, boards, regulators, and investors — and that your organization can stand behind.
Independence You Can Put Your Name Behind
Meridian Audit Group has provided independent audit and assurance to the Chicago business community since 1995. We are AICPA peer-reviewed and PCAOB registered — and, just as importantly, we are known for finishing on time, every time.
An audit is only as valuable as the confidence it gives the people who rely on it. Our partners lead every engagement personally, apply rigorous professional standards, and communicate clearly throughout — so lenders, boards, regulators, and investors accept your statements without hesitation. In thirty-one years we've audited more than 400 entities across manufacturing, nonprofit, benefit plans, and technology.
- ✓AICPA peer-reviewed & PCAOB registered
- ✓Partner-led engagements, every time
- ✓On-time delivery — 100% track record
- ✓31 years · 400+ entities audited
The Full Range of Assurance
From annual audits to specialized attestation — the independent assurance your stakeholders require.
Financial Statement Audits
Independent, GAAS-compliant audits that satisfy lenders, boards, sureties, and investors with confidence.
Reviews & Compilations
A lighter-touch level of assurance when a full audit isn't required — done to the same rigorous standard.
Employee Benefit Plan Audits
DOL-compliant 401(k) and benefit plan audits for plans that have crossed the participant threshold.
Single Audits
Uniform Guidance single audits that keep nonprofits and governments compliant with federal funding rules.
SOC Reports
SOC 1 and SOC 2 examinations that give your customers' security and finance teams the assurance they demand.
Agreed-Upon Procedures
Targeted procedures on specific financial data when you need independent verification of a defined scope.
Assurance for Every Requirement
Financial Statement Audits
Reviews & Compilations
Employee Benefit Plan Audits
Single Audits (Nonprofit)
SOC Reports
Agreed-Upon Procedures
🏛️ AICPA Peer-Reviewed ✓ PCAOB Registered 📅 On-Time, Every Time
Why Chicago Trusts Our Opinion
Independence, rigor, and a thirty-one-year record of clean, on-time reports.
Partner-Led, Always
A partner leads and reviews every engagement personally — not a rotating cast of first-year associates.
On Time, Every Year
We hit your deadlines. Boards, banks, and regulators get their reports when they expect them — 100% track record.
Peer-Reviewed Rigor
AICPA peer review and PCAOB registration mean our work is held to the highest professional standards, verified externally.
Clear Communication
No black box. We explain findings and required adjustments plainly, so there are no surprises at the finish line.
Trusted by Chicago's Institutions
Our lenders require an annual audit and Meridian makes it painless. Thorough, independent, and finished on schedule every year. Our bank has never questioned a set of Meridian-audited statements.
As a nonprofit we need a clean single audit to keep our federal funding. Meridian knows Uniform Guidance cold and delivers a spotless report our board trusts every time.
Our 401(k) plan crossed the 100-participant threshold and suddenly needed an audit. Meridian handled the plan audit seamlessly and kept us DOL-compliant without disrupting HR.
Rigorous Doesn't Have to Mean Disruptive
The dread of audit season usually comes from surprises and disruption. We remove both. A clear engagement plan up front, a defined request list, and steady partner communication mean your team knows exactly what's needed and when. We work efficiently, minimize the burden on your staff, and deliver a report you can hand to any lender or regulator with total confidence.
- ✓Clear plan and request list up front
- ✓Minimal disruption to your team
- ✓Partner communication throughout
Frequently Asked Questions
How is an audit different from a review or a compilation?
They're three levels of assurance. A compilation presents your financials with no assurance; a review provides limited assurance through analytics and inquiry; an audit provides the highest level — reasonable assurance backed by testing and verification. We'll help you determine which level your lenders, board, or regulators actually require.
Why does my 401(k) plan suddenly need an audit?
Once a benefit plan generally reaches 100 eligible participants, the Department of Labor requires an annual plan audit filed with Form 5500. We perform DOL-compliant plan audits efficiently and coordinate with your recordkeeper and HR to keep the burden low.
How long does an audit take?
It depends on your size and complexity, but a typical engagement runs several weeks from fieldwork to issued report. We agree on a firm timeline up front and are known for hitting it — 100% on-time delivery.
Are you independent and properly licensed?
Yes. Meridian is AICPA peer-reviewed and PCAOB registered, and we maintain strict independence from every client we audit. That independence is precisely what gives our opinion its value to your stakeholders.
Can you perform a Single Audit for our nonprofit?
Absolutely. If your organization expends $750,000 or more in federal awards in a year, Uniform Guidance requires a Single Audit. We perform these regularly and know the compliance requirements thoroughly.
What do you need from us to get started?
A conversation about your organization and your assurance requirement. From there we issue a proposal with scope, timeline, and fee. Once engaged, we provide a clear request list so your team knows exactly what to prepare.
How an Engagement Works
A clear, predictable path from proposal to issued report.
Proposal & Planning
We learn your organization and assurance requirement, then issue a clear proposal with scope, timeline, and fee.
Fieldwork
We execute the audit against a defined request list, testing and verifying with minimal disruption to your team.
Review & Reporting
Partners review the work, we discuss any findings clearly, and we issue your report on schedule.
Year-Round Availability
We stay reachable between engagements for questions, and plan next year's audit well ahead of your deadline.
Need an Independent Audit You Can Trust?
Request a proposal today and get a clear scope, timeline, and fee from a peer-reviewed Chicago firm.
Request a Proposal
Tell us about your organization and assurance requirement. We'll respond within one business day.
- Visit us203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601
- Call us(312) 555-0146
- Email uscontact@meridianaudit.com