Assurance Senior

Overview

Assurance Senior responsible for coordinating day-to-day “in-charge” activities across audit planning, fieldwork, and “wrap-up.” This includes preparing financial statements with disclosures, applying applicable areas of GAAP, and documenting, validating, testing, and assessing control systems. Serves as a client contact for basic questions and information and may participate in reviews and agreed-upon procedure engagements.

Responsibilities

Control Environment

• Apply knowledge of transactional flow and key transactional cycles to complete audit work
• Document, validate, and assess the design and operating effectiveness of clients’ internal control systems
• Identify and communicate suggested improvements to client internal controls and accounting procedures to reduce risk within the client organization
• Supervise and review the work of audit staff

GAAP

• Apply governing principles to client transactions and document and communicate the understanding and application of GAAP
• Communicate financial statement disclosure requirements to clients
• Draft complex sets of financial statements with disclosures
• Recognize and apply new pronouncements to client situations
• Identify, analyze, and discuss alternative generally accepted accounting principles with the Manager, Senior Manager, engagement partner, and the client as needed
• Identify complex accounting issues and bring them to the attention of superiors for resolution
• Coach less experienced team members in new areas

SEC and PCAOB

• Apply knowledge of SEC regulations and PCAOB guidelines and document and communicate the application of these principles
• Read and review clients’ SEC filings, ensuring accuracy and completeness, and ensure financial information is documented in workpapers through appropriate testing
• Prepare required communications to the Client and the Audit Committee
• Plan and execute Section 404 internal control audits, including obtaining an understanding of the control environment, designing test plans, evaluating deficiencies, and assessing the overall financial reporting control environment

GAAS

• Apply professional standards by formulating and communicating the audit plan
• Apply GAAS to a variety of complex issues and consult others as appropriate
• Employ audit skepticism and determine when to reduce or expand testing
• Utilize firm audit manuals as appropriate for the situation
• Document deviations from firm policy with approval

Methodology

• Coordinate the day-to-day execution of the audit plan to ensure fieldwork is completed as planned, in accordance with timetable, firm policies and procedures, and within budget
• Apply the firm’s audit approach and methodologies, including tools and technology, to execute the audit
• Identify and propose outcomes to critical issues

Research

• Utilize internal and external research tools and select methodologies for routine research requests
• Research complex accounting areas, form an initial opinion on correct treatment independently, and consider and document the impact on the client and audit engagement
• Document and organize complicated findings in a usable format, based on information obtained from Accounting Research Manager, Assurance Manual, and other authoritative sources
• Assist the engagement manager with gathering appropriate information about the business and information system (including the accounting system) to form an adequate basis for audit strategy
• Develop draft Audit Engagement Planning Memorandum, audit programs, and budgets
• Collaborate with the engagement manager to establish responsibilities for individual audit staff for specific audit areas
• Other duties as required

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide verbal and written performance feedback to Audit Associates
• Supervise audit associate work assignments within the assigned engagement team

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Statistics, required OR Bachelor’s degree in other focus area and CPA certification, required
• Master’s degree in Accountancy, preferred
• Two (2) or more years of prior relevant audit experience and/or public accounting, private industry accounting, or consulting/professional services experience, required
• Prior basic supervisory experience, preferred
• Eligible to sit for the CPA exams upon starting employment, required and actively pursuing completion of the exams, required
• CPA, preferred
• Solid understanding and experience planning and coordinating the stages to perform an audit of a basic public and/or private company
• Knowledge of internal accounting controls and professional standards and regulations (GAAP, GAAS, Sarbanes-Oxley, etc.)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to adapt style and messaging with professionals at all levels within client organizations and the firm
• Ability to successfully multi-task while working independently and within a group environment
• Superior analytical and diagnostic skills; ability to break down complex issues and implement appropriate resolutions
• Ability to work in a demanding, deadline-driven environment with a focus on details and accuracy
• Solid project management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Accountancy
• Prior basic supervisory experience
• CPA
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with assurance applications and research tools

Compensation & Benefits

• Individual salaries are determined after consideration of numerous factors including candidate qualifications, experience, skills, and geography.
• Washington Range: $82,000 - $95,000
• Benefits may be subject to eligibility requirements.

Location

Washington (salary range provided for Washington)

Equal Opportunity Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.