Steven D. Handler, CPA, CMC, CGMA, has been a partner with the firm since 1997. Prior to merging into MichaelSilver, he founded Steven D. Handler & Associates, a CPA and management consulting firm. With over a decade of hands-on management experience, Steven previously spent time with a Fortune 500 company as an operational consultant and internal auditor, and also served as vice president of a national real estate development organization.

Steven currently serves as the International leader of the Firm’s affiliation with GMNI (a world-wide association of independent accounting firms). In addition to assisting international companies with their U.S. operations, Steven is a member of the Firm’s consulting practice. A Certified Management Consultant (CMC), Steven has broad expertise in mergers, acquisitions, and dispositions; long-range strategic business planning for closely-held businesses, incentive compensation planning, and commercial lease negotiations.

Steven is on the board of directors of GMNI where he currently serves as International Chairman. He is active in the International Trade Association of Greater Chicago as well as Select Chicago. He is a frequent speaker on international topics such as “How to Conduct Business in the United States.”

Steven D. Handler, CPA, CMC, CGMA

International Partner

How he spends his time here

Expertise	Industries	Membership
International Companies Operating in the U.S. Strategic Business Consulting Transfer Pricing Agreements and Studies Accounting and Taxation Management Consulting	Manufacturing and Distribution Real Estate Professional Service Companies	Illinois CPA Society American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Institute of Management Consultants Charter Member of Beta Gamma Sigma and Delta Mu Delta

How he got here

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of Iowa
Master of Science in Business Administration, DePaul University

How he approaches his work

“For my international clients, I explain to them ‘I am your U.S. business tour guide to help you navigate the complicated commercial environment of the United States.’ For all my clients: ‘Meeting and exceeding your goals as your trusted advisor is of the utmost importance in the services we provide.’”

HOW HE SPENDS HIS TIME ELSEWHERE

“I enjoy spending time with my wife, traveling and playing golf–sometimes I am able to do all three at the same time. Seeing and celebrating with friends in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe is a wonderful experience that I always treasure. I am also active on numerous boards including serving as International Chairman of GMNI, Director of the Illinois Trade Association of Greater Chicago, and Treasurer of the mid-west chapter of the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce.”

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Resource Article

Strategic Planning Matters!

Everyone knows that the executive leaders of successful small and medium-sized enterprises devote many hours on the day-to-day business operations. The pressure on Chief Executive Officers is without end. It is important that they dedicate time for periodic strategic planning because it matters to businesses’ overall success.

Compensation and Motivation

Compensation is defined in two basic ways.
1. Making up for someone’s loss or damage by giving the injured party an appropriate benefit. Examples include: payment of a workman’s compensation claim, or giving a raise to an employee to offset the negative feelings from being passed over for promotion.
2. Rewarding someone for services such as wages and benefits paid to an employee.

This article primarily addresses the second meaning.

Accounting and Tax Considerations for Expanding into the United States

MichaelSilver works with many international companies looking to start or expand their business in the United States. Typically, these companies are successful in their home country. The owners know the United States is the land of opportunity as well as the land of tax traps and legal problems. We share the common goal of wanting these businesses to succeed in their endeavors in the United States and we help them navigate the complexities of the United States’ business world.