At Ruzicka & Associates, we believe in the value of relationships. We view every client relationship like a partnership, and truly believe that our success is a result of your success. We are committed to providing close, personal attention to our clients. We take pride in giving you the assurance that the personal assistance you receive comes from years of advanced training, technical experience and financial acumen.

We provide a variety of services including:

• Income Tax Preparation for all types of businesses, and individuals
• IRS and State Audit Representation
• Payroll Reporting
• QuickBooks setup, support and training
• Business startup services
• Monthly bookkeeping
• Financial statements - making sure your financial records are timely and accurate

Our continual investment of time and resources in professional continuing education, state-of-the-art computer technology and extensive business relationships is indicative of our commitment to excellence.

RUZICKA & ASSOCIATES, LTD. ..... AN INTRODUCTION

          In response to a growing focus on highly individualized accounting and related financial requirements, Ruzicka & Associates, Ltd. was founded as a full service certified public accounting firm in 1976. Since that time, we have enjoyed unusual growth resulting from long-term associates with a diversified clientele of individuals, trusts, companies and corporations, including Non-Profit organizations.

          On May 17, 2007, we received an unqualified report on the most recent quality review of our firm (September 30, 2006). Our company profile is unique in that we provide a full range of the highest quality services at a cost, which is considerably lower than that of large national and international accounting firms. In fact, a healthy percentage of our customers have come to us from such firms. Our clients receive complete attention to a variety of needs such as audit, tax accounting, payroll tax accounting and reporting, management consulting and, limited bookkeeping services. Our services are customized to suit the specific requirements of each client.

          We utilize the latest versions of various software packages, including Ace Write Up, QuickBooks, Quicken, Excel, MSWord, Access, and CCH Prosystem FX. The Prosystem FX allows us to offer a completely in-house income tax preparation. In addition, this software allows us to give a two-year comparison and plan for future changes in the tax law or the client’s set of circumstances. We also have internet access to the Research Institute of America tax library, enhancing our tax research capabilities and providing us with instant access to tax forms, instructions, and publications.

          Through Ace Write Up, we offer excellent computerized general ledger services. Our general ledger software is unsurpassed in its capabilities as one can: 1) design customized financial statements, 2) edit transactions, 3) provide year-to-date adjustments, 4) obtain budget and historical comparisons, 5) analyze year-to-date general ledger activity, etc. Our fees for general ledger services are very reasonable and competitive. Spreadsheet programs allow us to offer our clients other computer analysis including mortgage tables, tax calculations (tax projections), etc.

          In an effort to more fully serve our clients, our company is now affiliated with a firm specializing in investments and financial planning. Our officers have taken numerous courses in these areas and some are licensed in insurance and securities. We are prepared to assist in the formation and funding of buy-sell agreements, plans for retirement or your children’s education, estate planning and other areas of financial planning.

RUZICKA & ASSOCIATES, LTD. .... THE COMPANY

          As the world of business grows increasingly complex, we believe that the skills offered by Ruzicka & Associates will be a great assistance to management, freeing key individuals from time consuming financial duties, which can be more expeditiously handled by a professional. Yet, in many cases, we find we can train selected client personnel to take over certain internal accounting functions. This serves two purposes: it allows the client to become increasingly familiar with the financial aspect of its operation and allows us to allocate our time (and charges) to areas demanding our professional expertise. Through our philosophy of customer service and creativity, we have been able to realize our primary business function...that of helping our clients save or generate important dollars by various aids such as tax planning, cash management, adequate budgeting and preparation of reliable financial statements. The knowledge, skill and creativity of the company thus prove to be a major resource in the long-range financial profile of our clientele.

          The collective experience of the officers insures that our clients receive the highest quality work available in our field. We offer a personalized, non-institutional approach, working closely with our clients, yet maintaining the outside objectivity necessary to function as professionals. We believe very strongly in providing continuity of personnel. One or more of the three owners takes an active and continued role in providing accounting related services to each of our clients. The three equal officers bring a wealth of experience and resources gathered through years of working with some of the most highly reputed firms in the nation and from active participation in related professional organizations.

RUZICKA & ASSOCIATES, LTD. .... THE OFFICERS

          Anne Culton Ruzicka has extensive experience in the management of audit engagements and in accounting for Non-Profit organizations and small businesses. She is currently serving on the Board of the Josselyn Center for Mental Health, the Rush University College of Nursing Community Advisory Committee and, has served on the Strategic Planning Committees for New Trier High School, Illinois CPA Society and CPA’s for the Public Interest; and as member of the Board of Directors of Business and Professional Individuals for the Public Interest. She has also been active in a number of other organizations including the National Association of Women Business Owners, Women in Management, Glencoe Union Church, Chicago Finance Committee, Junior League of Evanston, the Evanston Hospital Auxiliary and, the Chicago Society of Women CPA’s of which she is a founder and past president. She received the National Charlotte Danstrom Achievement Award from Women in Management. She served as President of Women in Management-North Shore Chapter. She is a frequent speaker at seminars and programs on topics ranging from management to technical and Non-Profit accounting issues and regulations. Ms. Ruzicka from time to time has served on various advisory committees such as the Emergency Loan Fund of the Donors Forum of Chicago, chairman of the advisory committee to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office on uniform annual reporting, Board of Managers of the Coalition on Non-Profit Accounting and Esmark Foundation Excellence Award Committee. She has authored a treasurer’s manual for a national Non-Profit organization and various articles on Non-Profit accounting and taxation. Ms. Ruzicka is an owner of the firm of Ruzicka & Associates, Ltd. and is currently Vice-President. Prior to 1976, Arthur Young & Company employed her for seven years, serving as an audit manager for two years. Her experience includes a wide range of both large and small businesses in many diverse industries and services including insurance, retail franchises, contractors, personal service organizations and non-profit organizations.

          Ms. Ruzicka is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a B.S. degree and a M.S. degree in Accounting. She graduated in the top three percent of her class with distinction and honors in Accounting. Additional scholastic awards include the Ernst & Ernst award presented to the top accounting undergraduate student and membership in the Beta Alpha Psi and Beta Gamma Sigma honor societies.

          Ms. Ruzicka currently lives in Glencoe with her husband, Tony, and is the mother of two daughters.

          Anthony J. Ruzicka, Jr. has been with the firm of Ruzicka & Associates, Ltd. since 1979. He is an owner of the firm and is currently Vice President. He has broad experience in the management of audit and accounting service engagements. Arthur Young & Company previously employed him as an audit manager. His clients included non-profit and governmental institutions or contracts, companies in the securities industries, and diverse manufacturing concerns.

Mr. Ruzicka graduated from Yale University with a B.A. degree in Economics and completed his graduate work at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business where he earned a M.B.A. majoring in Accounting. Scholastic accomplishments and honors include Yale University gift scholarships, the John L. Carey accounting scholarship sponsored by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Institute of Professional Accounting scholarships at the University of Chicago, award for excellence in scholarship and leadership during the course studies in business administration and accounting sponsored by the Financial Executives Institute, and membership in the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.

          From April 2001 through May 2005, Mr. Ruzicka served on the Village Board of Glencoe as President. Major accomplishments during his presidency included 1) transformation of the former Village incinerator site into two car dealerships. The parcel of land was turned from the Village’s largest potential liability to its most economically productive parcel; 2) Beautification of the downtown streetscape, and 3) the Village obtaining a “AAA” bond rating for the first time in its long history. As President, he served on the Executive Committee of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County. He served as an elected Village Trustee from 1993 to April 2000. As trustee he chaired the Finance Committee, of the Glencoe Golf Club Advisory Committee, the Environmental Management Task Force, the Downtown Commercial Development Task Force, and the Human Relations Task Force. Major accomplishments included implementation of cultural diversity training of all public safety personnel and development of Village human rights ordinances protecting all people regardless of race, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, etc. living in, working in, doing business in, visiting, and traveling in Glencoe. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Suburban Chicago from 1993 to 1999. He was chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee and Chairman of the Zone IV Budget and Allocations Committee, as well as a member of the Executive Committee. As a member of the Executive Committee, he was part of the effort that successfully merged the United Way of Chicago and the Crusade of Mercy. He also served as a member of the United Way System Administrative Services Work Group, which was charged with identifying areas for efficiency and cost saving within the United Way system. He served on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Glencoe as President, Campaign Chairman, and as a member of the Budget and Allocation Committee. Mr. Ruzicka was nominated for 1989 President of the Year of the United Way of Suburban Chicago affiliated United Way agencies. Until January 1999 he served on the Board of Directors of the United Way/Crusade of Mercy as a member of the finance committee, audit committee, strategic planning committee, compensation and personnel sub-committee, and giving environment committee. In 1991, Mr. Ruzicka was honored as a recipient of the John Gibson Memorial award for his service to the Special Olympic program. Mr. Ruzicka’s professional memberships and affiliations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Illinois CPA Society, and the North Shore Chapter of the Illinois CPA Society. He served on the Illinois CPA Society’s Committee on Auditing Procedures and on a subcommittee for developing auditing and reporting standards governing the audits of United Way agencies’ program statistics. He also served on the Illinois CPA Society’s Non-Profit organization committee. He has served as treasurer of the Friends of the Glencoe Public Library, as a member of the Glencoe Human Relations Committee, and as Vice President of Finance for Special Children’s Charities.

          Carl F. Ruzicka has broad experience in the problems and management of small businesses. Mr. Ruzicka has been with the firm of Ruzicka & Associates, Ltd. since its inception in 1976. He is owner of the firm and is currently President. Prior to 1976, Price Waterhouse & Co. employed him and he experienced above average advancement in the firm’s small business auditing department. In addition to his not for profit expertise, he has significant experience in accounting for manufacturing and personal service companies and in income taxes at the individual, partnership and corporate level.

         Mr. Ruzicka is a graduate of Yale University with a B.A. degree in Economics. He also holds a M.B.A. degree from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business where he has served as a lecturer in taxation. Scholarship accomplishments and honors include Yale University Gift Scholarship, Institute of Professional Accounting scholarships at the University of Chicago, and membership in the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society.

          He resides in Highland Park. Mr. Ruzicka served on the Highland Park 2000 Committee and as a member of the retail/commercial development, education, and housing diversity task forces. Mr. Ruzicka is a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Highland Park-Highwood and is its Past-President. Previously, he has served as treasurer, campaign chairman and, as a member of its Budget and Allocations Committee. He also served on the Illinois CPA Society’s managing an accounting practice and small accounting firm and treasurer of the Hemophilic Foundation of Illinois.

OUR CLIENTS

          The development of a good working relationship between a client and its accountants is, in our experience, a long and complex process. To provide reliable accounting services for all segments of the client’s organization and to furnish knowledgeable specialists to support the client service team, the accountants must understand and relate to the client’s business and its unique requirements.