Senior Accountant - Audit & Assurance

Position Summary:  The Senior Accountant III, is able to complete all types of financial statement engagements and will provide assistance and training to other staff.  The position will complete audit planning with assistance from the manager and other team members and will be able to complete most audit areas without assistance.  The position will be able to identify internal control issues, present the comments to the Manager for consideration and draft comment letters.  The Senior Accountant III will prepare quotes for financial statement services and will provide them to the Manager/Partner for approval.  The position will monitor the progress on assigned financial statements and will communicate regularly with Staff, Management and the Client to ensure timely delivery.  This position will demonstrate a strong knowledge of non-profit accounting and will be able to complete as well as review the Form 990.  The Senior Accountant III will perform technical reviews for financial statements as well as participate in the Firm’s post issuance quality review process.

Essential Functions:

• Technical – Full knowledge of all types of financial statement engagements and the professional standards governing their performance.  Full knowledge of financial accounting and reporting standards including non profit accounting.  The ability to prepare and review 990  filings.
• Initiative – Proactively identifies tax planning opportunities for clients and engages them in discussions to optimize their financial strategies. Proactively manages tax return progress, addresses bottlenecks, and ensures timely completion. Seeks continuous improvement in both personal technical skills and firm processes, sharing innovative ideas with the team. Oversees projects, competing deadlines, and identifies opportunities for training and development of staff. May serve as chair of an internal committee. Recognizes unmet client needs and seeks opportunities to upsell services.
• Dependability – Manages diverse client list with care, ensuring deadlines are met even during peak periods. Takes ownership of the quality of client deliverables, reviewing returns and final products to ensure accuracy before submission. Proactively handles client billing, value billing where applicable, and resolves any billing issues or concerns. Accepts new clients that meet firm criteria, ensuring proper pricing and adherence to service expectations.
• Communication – Communicates clearly and effectively with clients, discussing tax return results, payment methods, and providing answers to client inquiries. Provides constructive feedback to staff, ensuring clear communication regarding task expectations and desired outcomes. Initiates conversations with clients to identify need for tax planning and projection services, and is able to discuss any additional billing or pricing considerations, when necessary. Maintains open and professional communication with both clients and team members, fostering trust and addressing concerns in a timely manner.
• Productivity – Manages multiple projects concurrently, ensuring deadlines are met through effective delegation, prioritization, and time management. Regularly monitors the progress of assigned returns, ensuring timely completion, and following up with staff on any outstanding issues. Prioritizes tasks effectively, balancing billable and non-billable hours, and ensuring an appropriate mix of both. Continuously evaluates ways to improve time management, focusing on both efficiency and quality in the completion of client work.
• Judgement – Uses sound judgement to review complex returns, ensuring accuracy and addressing potential issues before they arise. Recognizes when to consult with managers or partners on complex tax matters or client concerns. Makes independent decisions regarding client services, tax planning, and the preparation of returns, while maintaining a strong awareness of firm policies and procedures. Can identify new client prospects, qualify and train on approach. Reviews the final client product to anticipate future needs, liabilities, and follow-up tasks.
• Cooperation – Actively supports and guides junior staff, providing constructive feedback to improve technical skills and efficiency. Takes a leadership role in ensuring collaboration within the ITT team, and across other departments. Leads by example, fostering a culture of teamwork and cooperation. Works to ensure consistency within service line to service clients.
• Orderliness/Firm Process – Adheres to firm policies and procedures, ensuring deadlines are met and processes are followed. Understands and supports the firm’s goals, including utilization and realization. Manages billing, WIP, and AR reports efficiently, following up with clients to ensure timely payment and value billing where applicable. Prepares returns and workpapers following best practices, ensuring proper documentation storage and accessibility. Demonstrates advanced proficiency in firm accounting software, including Practice, GoFileRoom, Engagement Manager, UltraTax, Planner CS, Fixed Assets CS, Quickbooks, SurePrep, and Microsoft Office Suite, with a deep understanding of their practical application. Enforces policies on client document storage and confidentiality, setting an example for the team. Leads internal training to solidify staff understanding.
• Community Involvement – Actively participates in networking events to build relationships with referral sources and clients. Writes occasional blog posts for the firm website, sharing valuable tax and accounting insights with clients and the community. Identifies opportunities to engage with the local business community and attend relevant industry events to further the firm’s presence and reputation. May participate on board of directors for local organization or other business groups.
• Other duties as assigned by senior management and partners.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in accounting or related field, required.
• CPA or EA designation, required.
• 5-6 years of tax experience.

Essential Skills:

• Advanced understanding of tax concepts, accounting software, and tax planning strategies for both individuals and businesses, with the ability to provide sophisticated solutions to complex issues.
• Demonstrates strong leadership skills by guiding junior staff, delegating tasks effectively, and fostering team development to elevate performance and technical skills.
• Confident in managing client relationships, proactively addressing client needs, and delivering complex information.
• Capable of making independent decisions regarding client service, tax planning, and return preparation, while aligning with firm goals.
• Demonstrates advanced time and project management skills, successfully balancing multiple projects, prioritizing tasks, and meeting deadlines with minimal oversight.
• Collaborates effectively with team members, shares knowledge, and supports the development of others within the team.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, analyzing complex situations and developing effective solutions.
• Proactively seeks professional development opportunities and consistently contributes to process improvements, enhancing both firm operations and client service.  

         
Other Qualifications:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA & other federal, state & local standards - including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards
• Ability to maintain reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA & other federal, state and local standards
• Compliance with all personnel policies

Working Conditions:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.