Assurance Senior

Overview

This role coordinates the day-to-day “in-charge” duties of planning, fieldwork, and “wrap-up” on assurance engagements. Responsibilities include preparing financial statements with disclosures, applying relevant GAAP as necessary, and documenting, validating, testing, and assessing various control systems.

The position also 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

• 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 client as needed
• Identify complex accounting issues and bring them to superiors for resolution
• Coach less experienced team members in new areas

SEC and PCAOB

• Read and review clients’ SEC filings, ensuring accuracy and completeness
• Ensure financial information is documented in workpapers and supported 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
  • Assessing the overall financial reporting control environment

GAAS

• Formulate and communicate the audit plan
• Apply GAAS to a variety of complex issues and consult others as appropriate
• Use audit skepticism and determine when to reduce or expand testing
• Utilize audit manuals as appropriate for the situation
• Document deviations from firm policy, with approval

Methodology

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

Research

• Use internal and external research tools to select methodology for routine research requests
• Research complex areas of accounting, 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
• 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 the draft Audit Engagement Planning Memorandum, audit programs, and budgets
• Collaborate with the engagement manager to establish responsibilities of individual audit staff for specific areas of audit work
• Perform other duties as required

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide verbal and written performance feedback to audit associates
• Supervise the work assignments of audit associates within assigned engagement teams

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Statistics, required OR bachelor’s degree in another focus area and CPA certification, required
• Two (2) or more years of prior relevant audit experience and/or public accounting, private industry accounting, or consulting/professional services experience, required
• Eligible to sit for the CPA exams upon starting employment, required and actively pursuing completion of the exams, required
• 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, with the ability to adapt style and messaging for professionals at all levels within the client organization and the firm
• Ability to successfully multi-task while working independently and within a team 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 detail and accuracy
• Solid project management skills

Preferred Qualifications

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

Compensation & Benefits

• Salaries vary by geography and candidate qualifications.
• California Range: $88,000 - $105,000
• Colorado Range: $80,000 - $85,000
• Illinois Range: $82,000 - $90,000
• Maryland Range: $78,000 - $93,000
• Minnesota Range: $76,000 - $82,000
• Massachusetts Range: $88,000 - $105,000
• New Jersey Range: $80,000 - $95,000
• NYC/Long Island/Westchester Range: $80,000 - $115,000
• Ohio Range: $75,000 - $82,000
• Virginia Range: $74,000 - $98,000
• Washington Range: $82,000 - $95,000
• Washington DC Range: $80,000 - $100,000

Individual salary offers are determined after consideration of numerous factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and geography.

Benefits may be subject to eligibility requirements.

Location

Ranges listed for: California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Jersey, NYC/Long Island/Westchester, Ohio, Virginia, Washington, and Washington DC.