Experienced Audit Senior, State & Local Government

Join us at BDO, where your work is impactful, and you are valued for your individuality. We offer flexibility and opportunities for advancement in a culture centered around making meaningful connections and approaching interactions with curiosity.

About the role

The State and Local Government (SLG) Experienced Audit Senior coordinates day-to-day "in-charge" duties of planning, fieldwork, and wrap-up, including preparing financial statements with disclosures, applying GAAP, and documenting, validating, testing, and assessing various control systems. This position acts as the client contact for basic questions and may be involved in reviews and agreed-upon procedure engagements.

Responsibilities

• Applies knowledge of the collective effect of various factors on establishing or enhancing the effectiveness of policies and procedures, or mitigating risks.
• Works with the engagement manager to ensure fieldwork is executed as planned, adhering to timetables, firm policies, and budget.
• Applies knowledge of transactional flow and key cycles to complete audit work.
• Documents, validates, and assesses the effectiveness of internal control systems and communicates improvements to client controls and procedures.
• Supervises audit staff, reviews workpapers, and explains any shortcomings.
• Applies knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB) to client transactions and communicates an understanding of these principles.
• Understands and communicates GASB financial statement disclosure requirements to clients.
• Reviews Basic Financial Statements, including MD&A, notes, and Required Supplementary Information for appropriateness, completeness, and accuracy.
• Identifies and applies new GASB pronouncements and discusses alternative GASB principles with superiors when necessary.
• Identifies complex accounting issues and escalates them to superiors for resolution.
• Applies professional standards (GAAS/GAGAS) and documents their understanding and application on engagements.
• Formulates and communicates the audit plan, applies audit skepticism, and adjusts testing as needed.
• Uses BDO audit manuals and documents deviations from policy with approval.
• Suggests improvements to client internal controls and prepares draft communications required by professional standards.
• Ensures compliance with engagement independence requirements and reviews required client communications for completeness and accuracy.
• Applies Uniform Guidance (UG) standards, selects major programs, develops audit strategies, and executes audits in compliance with UG and BDO policies.
• Identifies audit findings, communicates them to superiors and clients, and prepares written findings with management corrective action plans.
• Applies BDO audit methodologies, tools, and technology to execute audits efficiently and completely despite deadline pressures.
• Researches complex accounting areas, forms initial opinions, and documents findings in a usable format.
• Assists the engagement manager with gathering information about the business and accounting system to prepare the audit strategy.
• Coordinates timing of planning, fieldwork, and review with the audit team and client, and assists in developing the audit budget.
• Develops the draft Audit Engagement Planning Memorandum, audit programs, and budgets.
• Establishes responsibilities for individual audit staff and monitors engagement budget vs. actual, advising on potential overruns.
• Supervises a team of 1 to 5 audit professionals and provides verbal and written performance feedback.
• Teaches and coaches associates to provide on-the-job learning.
• Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or equivalent (required).
• Master’s degree in Accounting (preferred).
• Three or more years of prior work experience in public accounting (required).
• Prior supervisory experience (preferred).
• Experience with public sector entities and related organizations (preferred).
• Single audit experience (preferred).
• Actively pursuing CPA (required).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Windows, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (required).
• Experience with assurance applications and research tools (required).

Skills

• Proven solid verbal and written communication skills.
• People development and delegation skills.
• Executive presence and ability to act as the primary client contact.
• Ability to manage all stages of the audit, including planning, fieldwork, and wrap-up.
• Ability to perform audits of complex entities and prepare or review financial statements with disclosures in accordance with GAAP.

Pay

Individual salaries are determined based on qualifications, experience, skills, and geography. Ranges are as follows:

• National Range: $115,000 - $135,000
• Maryland Range: $115,000 - $135,000
• NYC/Long Island/Westchester Range: $115,000 - $135,000

Benefits

BDO offers Total Rewards that encompass more than traditional benefits, including an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The ESOP is fully funded by BDO through investments in company stock, granting employees the chance to grow their wealth over time as shares vest and grow in value, with no employee contributions required. Benefits may be subject to eligibility requirements.