Audit Manager at Ascend in Chapel Hill, NC

Job description

• Blackman & Sloop is excited to welcome a new industry to our client base. As we expand into the auto dealership space, we are seeking an Audit Manager to join our team — a role with an emphasis on serving dealership clients, alongside the opportunity to work across a wide range of other industries, including non-profit, construction, small business, manufacturing, medical, real estate, retail, hospitality, and education.
• As an Audit Manager, you will plan and execute assurance engagements, guide staff through the work, and own the day-to-day client relationships in your portfolio. You will serve as the communication channel among staff, clients, and firm leadership — setting expectations at the start of each engagement, monitoring progress against budgets and due dates, and delivering a consistently high-quality work product.
• Room to grow. Our dealership practice is new, and the person in this seat will help shape how we serve it — building the methodology, the client relationships, and the bench of staff behind it, with a clear path toward Senior Manager for someone who wants it.
• A perceptive team player who excels in a progressive, collaborative environment, blending sharp analytical skills with exceptional communication. A detail-oriented leader who embodies critical thinking and high standards, and a proactive professional committed to delivering outstanding service while embracing and driving curiosity and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Engagement Execution & Quality
• • Plan and execute assurance engagements, managing all phases of multiple engagements simultaneously
• • Organize and monitor the progress of client projects and tasks in relation to budgets and due dates
• • Complete reviews of work in a timely manner to keep engagements on track and ensure the highest-quality work product
• • Apply U.S. GAAP, generally accepted auditing standards, and principles of internal control to research and resolve technical issues
• Client Relationship Management
• • Cultivate the role of primary client contact, clearly identifying client expectations at the beginning of each engagement
• • Build long-term relationships grounded in a demonstrated understanding of the client’s business, industry, and improvement goals
• • Provide timely response to client inquiries and communicate engagement status at the frequency the client expects
• • Manage a client portfolio — prioritizing clients, tasks, and requests — and continually seek feedback on the quality of our work
• Team Leadership & Development
• • Supervise associates and senior associates on client engagements, providing feedback, guidance, and direction, and evaluating their progress
• • Manage staff workloads to minimize non-productive time and mitigate excessive overtime
• • Coach in your area of specialty, share knowledge with the team, and create on-the-job learning opportunities
• • Communicate confidently and persuasively with team members, clients, and contacts, ensuring every team member has an opportunity to contribute
• Business Development & Operational Excellence
• • Develop potential and new client contacts, leads, and networking opportunities that are beneficial to the firm
• • Identify cross-sell opportunities and follow up on referred opportunities within the appropriate specialist area, collaborating with Senior Managers and Partners
• • Manage engagement and project profitability, monitoring budgets so that jobs conclude timely, profitably, and with quality service
• • Contribute to the development of the business plan and communicate the financial performance of client assignments

Requirements

• • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license
• • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• • 6+ years of experience applying audit methodologies and techniques within public accounting
• • In-depth foundational knowledge of U.S. GAAP
• • Experience performing auto dealership audits
• • Experience in-charging engagements
• • Experience supervising, training, and mentoring staff
• • Strong communication skills, with the ability to build and manage relationships internally and externally
• • Strong project management and organizational skills
• • Willingness to travel to client sites
• • Excellent work ethic and a sense of humor are a must!
• • Construction and/or employee benefit plan audit experience

Skills

Required

• Strong communication skills
• Willingness to travel to client sites

Benefits

• We hire good people and give them a good place to work. Our secret to keeping them around is a positive culture, strong community involvement, and a dedication to constantly increasing our competencies. We truly believe that when you succeed, the firm succeeds, and we make sure you have whatever tools you need to make that success possible.
• Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that supports well-being, health, and ongoing professional growth:
• • Unlimited PTO
• • Medical, dental, vision, and voluntary insurance options
• • 401(k) matching
• • Performance bonus
• • 12 paid holidays
• • Off-season Flex Fridays
• • Closed on Fridays during the month of June
• • Commitment to professional development
• • Equity Program eligibility at the Senior Manager level, plus top-performing Managers