Audit Manager at Talnt in Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Job description

• Most Audit Manager opportunities revolve around managing engagements, reviewing workpapers, and getting through busy season. This one gives you a much bigger seat at the table.
• A growing public accounting and advisory firm is looking to add an Audit & Assurance Manager to its team. This is an opportunity for someone who has already proven they can run engagements and is ready to have more influence across clients, people, and the broader practice.
• You'll own key client relationships, lead complex engagements from planning through issuance, develop Seniors and Staff, and work directly with firm leadership on the accounting, reporting, and business issues that matter most to clients.
• The opportunity isn't simply to manage more work. It's to become a stronger advisor, build deeper client relationships, develop the next generation of talent, and start contributing to the growth of the practice itself.
• At a lot of firms, making Manager means inheriting more engagements, more review responsibility, and more pressure without materially changing your role.
• This opportunity is about more influence—not simply more volume.
• You'll own relationships, develop people, have a voice in the decisions behind the engagement, and become increasingly involved in growing client relationships and the broader practice.
• If you've already proven you can run the work and you're ready for a platform that lets you build beyond it, I'd be happy to share more confidentially.

Responsibilities

• Lead audit, review, and assurance engagements from planning through completion and final issuance
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, building relationships with CFOs, Controllers, business owners, and senior management
• Understand the business behind the financial statements and advise clients on complex accounting, reporting, internal control, and operational matters
• Lead engagement strategy, risk assessment, audit execution, financial statement preparation, and resolution of complex technical issues
• Review financial statements, disclosures, workpapers, and engagement documentation while maintaining a high standard of audit quality
• Manage engagement economics, including budgets, realization, staffing, scheduling, deadlines, and overall profitability
• Identify issues early, develop practical solutions, and communicate recommendations directly to clients and firm leadership
• Research and apply complex GAAP, GAAS, and evolving accounting and auditing guidance
• Lead, coach, and develop Seniors and Staff while creating clear accountability across engagement teams
• Make staffing and delegation decisions that balance professional development with engagement efficiency
• Identify opportunities to strengthen client relationships and introduce additional assurance, accounting, and advisory services
• Participate in practice development, recruiting, internal initiatives, and other efforts that contribute to the growth of the firm
• Become a resource clients rely on throughout the year—not simply when the audit starts

Requirements

• 5+ years of progressive public accounting audit and assurance experience
• Current Audit Manager experience or demonstrated experience operating at the Manager level
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• CPA strongly preferred
• Strong command of GAAP, GAAS, financial reporting, risk assessment, internal controls, and audit methodology
• Proven experience leading engagements from planning through issuance
• Experience managing engagement budgets, staffing, deadlines, realization, and multiple client relationships simultaneously
• Ability to review complex financial statements and audit documentation while providing clear technical direction to engagement teams
• Confidence working directly with CFOs, Controllers, business owners, and other senior client leadership
• Demonstrated success coaching, developing, and reviewing the work of Seniors and Staff
• Experience with privately held businesses, nonprofits, middle-market companies, or a diverse client portfolio is valuable
• Exposure to SOX, SOC, internal audit, fraud risk assessment, technical accounting, or other advisory services is a plus
• Commercial mindset with an interest in expanding client relationships and contributing to practice growth

Skills

Required

• Leadership
• Coaching and development
• Client relationship building
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Commercial mindset
• GAAP
• GAAS
• Financial reporting
• Risk assessment
• Internal controls
• Audit methodology