CFO Advisory, Senior Associate

About the role

Ranked among the largest accounting and consulting firms in the country and consistently recognized as a Great Place to Work, Cherry Bekaert delivers innovative advisory, assurance and tax services to our clients. At Cherry Bekaert we create shared success through teamwork, energy, and expertise. We approach today’s toughest business challenges with a client-first mindset, working together to create exceptional value. We are all committed to making a difference for our people, our clients, our community, and our professions.

Responsibilities

• Play a critical role in delivering accounting advisory engagements to clients, including private equity-backed portfolio companies, middle-market SEC registrants, state and local governments, higher education institutions and not-for-profits.
• Support CFOs and senior finance leaders in navigating complex financial reporting, operational challenges, and value creation initiatives.
• Combine technical accounting expertise, financial analysis, and business acumen to drive performance improvement and support transformational change.
• Support the following types of projects:
• Implementation of new accounting standards (ASC 606, ASC 842 / GASB 101 and GASB 103)
• Complex financial statement close processes
• Drafting and reviewing S-1 / S-4’s, 10-K / 10-Q’s, and Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFRs)
• Cash to modified accrual or full accrual conversions
• Process improvement and organizational design
• Client interviews and stakeholder engagement to gather insights and validate assumptions
• Technology and AI strategy and enablement
• Large data set manipulation and problem solving
• Internal control and best practice evaluation
• Validation of information between multiple sources of financial information

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience within a public accounting firm, middle-market SEC registrant, private equity-backed portfolio company, or public sector environment performing external audit, consulting, or in the accounting and finance function
• Strong knowledge of financial accounting standards (FASB), SEC regulations, or governmental accounting standards (GASB)
• Prior experience with audit, accounting, and/or consulting standards (GASB, AICPA, GAS including Yellow Book/Green Book)
• Prior experience with SEC filings and/or Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFRs)
• Prior experience with internal controls including documentation and testing of controls
• Strong organizational skills; enabling one to multi-task, adapt to dynamic environments, and meet project deadlines with a focus on details
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Able to utilize Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint
• Able to travel up to 40% as needed

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Licensed CPA
• SEC Registrant, State & Local Government or Not-for-Profit or experience
• Experience with SEC Filings or GFOA’s ACFR Special Review Process
• Experience with financial statement close process or proposing / reclassifying journal entries
• Ability to troubleshoot and solve account reconciliation issues
• Thrives working in a deadline-driven environment with a focus on details and accuracy
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments successfully
• Solid organizational skills, especially the ability to meet project deadlines with a focus on details
• Team player able to move to effectively delegate work assignments as needed
• Comfortable and thriving in a hybrid work environment