Audit Staff Associate

About the role

Ascend is backed by private equity from Alpine Investors and provides a platform for regional accounting firms to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm. Ascend offers growth capital, talent acquisition and training, quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives.

Tronconi Segarra & Associates is a top 3 accounting and advisory firm in Western New York with nearly 140 partners and associates, including 70 CPAs serving clients across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and South & Central America. The firm has deep expertise in small business, manufacturing, education, e-commerce, aerospace & defense, construction, insurance, professional services, private equity, non-profits, and government entities. Key services include Tax Advisory, M&A/Transaction Advisory, State & Local Tax, Client Accounting & Advisory Services (CAAS), and Audit & Attestation Advisory. Tronconi Segarra strategically partnered with Ascend in 2025 to expand its footprint and enhance capabilities.

As an Audit Staff Associate, you will join audit and assurance engagements across a variety of clients, learning the full audit cycle from planning through reporting and taking on more responsibility as your skills grow. You will work alongside experienced seniors and managers, with early exposure to high-profile and nationally recognized clients and room to develop an area of focus, particularly in healthcare and not-for-profit practices.

Responsibilities

Audit Execution

• Perform assigned audit procedures and testing across planning, fieldwork, and reporting.
• Prepare clear, well-organized workpapers that meet firm and professional standards.
• Research technical accounting and auditing questions and share findings with seniors and managers.
• Review your own work before it goes up for review to catch errors and confirm completeness.
• Track time accurately and flag potential budget or scope issues early.

Client Service

• Communicate with client personnel to request information and follow up on open items.
• Learn clients’ businesses and industries to understand the “why” behind the numbers.
• Take part in client meetings and engagement team discussions.

Growth & Development

• Welcome feedback from seniors and managers and apply it to your next assignment.
• Look for ways to work more efficiently, including AI-enabled audit tools where appropriate.
• Take part in firm training, networking, and business development activities.
• Work toward CPA licensure and begin building an area of specialization.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or MBA degree in Accounting.
• CPA license, or active pursuit of the CPA.
• Up to two years of experience in public or private accounting; internship experience welcome.

Preferred

• Exposure to healthcare and/or not-for-profit clients.
• Audit internship or busy-season experience.
• Curiosity, strong attention to detail, and comfort learning new technology, including AI-enabled tools.

Benefits

• One-on-one career development mentoring and the opportunity to attend professional development courses, including the Tronconi Segarra & Associates Leadership Academy.
• Financial support for the CPA exam and licensing.
• Exposure to a wide variety of challenging assignments and the ability to work on special projects and develop practice area expertise.
• In-office, flexible, and alternative working arrangements.
• Competitive salary and benefits, paid vacation and sick time, and nine paid holidays.

Pay

The annual base salary range for this role is $68,000–$70,000. This range includes the anticipated low and high end of TSA’s salary range for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on various factors, including experience, education, and/or skill level.