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, with a culture centered around making meaningful connections and approaching interactions with curiosity.

About the role

The State and Local Government (SLG) Experienced Audit Senior will coordinate day-to-day "in-charge" duties, including planning, fieldwork, and wrap-up. Responsibilities include preparing financial statements with disclosures, applying GAAP, documenting and assessing control systems, and acting as the client contact for basic questions. This role may also involve reviews and agreed-upon procedure engagements.

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge of the control environment to enhance effectiveness or mitigate risks of policies and procedures.
• Work with the engagement manager to ensure fieldwork is executed as planned, adhering to Firm policies, procedures, and budget.
• Apply knowledge of transactional flow and key cycles to complete audit work.
• Document, validate, and assess the effectiveness of internal control systems.
• Determine and communicate improvements to client internal controls and accounting procedures.
• Supervise audit staff, review workpapers, and explain any shortcomings.
• Apply knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB) to client transactions and communicate an understanding of these principles.
• Understand and communicate GASB financial statement disclosure requirements.
• Review Basic Financial Statements, including MD&A, notes, and Required Supplementary Information for appropriateness and accuracy.
• Identify and apply new GASB pronouncements to client situations.
• Analyze and discuss alternative GASB accounting principles with the engagement team.
• Identify complex accounting issues and escalate them to superiors for resolution.
• Apply professional standards (GAAS/GAGAS) and document their understanding and application.
• Formulate and communicate the audit plan, applying audit skepticism to determine testing scope.
• Use BDO audit manuals and document deviations from policy with approval.
• Suggest improvements to client internal controls and draft communications required by professional standards.
• Ensure compliance with engagement independence requirements.
• Review required communications to clients and agencies for completeness and accuracy.
• Apply Uniform Guidance (UG) standards and develop audit strategies for compliance requirements.
• Make selections of major programs consistent with UG standards.
• Execute and oversee audit strategies, ensuring compliance with UG standards and BDO policies.
• Identify audit findings and communicate them to the engagement team and client.
• Prepare written findings and facilitate collection of management corrective action plans.
• Apply BDO audit approach and methodologies, using tools and technology to ensure quality and efficiency.
• Identify and propose outcomes to critical issues.
• Research complex accounting areas and form initial opinions on correct treatment.
• Document and organize findings from research tools like Accounting Research Manager.
• Assist the engagement manager with gathering information about the client’s business and accounting system.
• Coordinate timing of planning, fieldwork, and review with the audit team and client.
• Develop the audit engagement budget and identify appropriate resources.
• Draft the Audit Engagement Planning Memorandum, audit programs, and budgets.
• Establish responsibilities for individual audit staff with the engagement manager.
• Monitor and report engagement budget vs. actual, advising on potential overruns.
• Supervise a team of 1 to 5 audit professionals and provide verbal and written performance feedback.
• Teach and coach associates to provide on-the-job learning.
• Perform 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 companies and prepare/review financial statements with disclosures.

Pay

Salaries are determined based on qualifications, experience, skills, and geography. The national range for this role is $115,000 - $135,000. Specific ranges include:

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

Benefits

BDO offers Total Rewards that encompass more than traditional benefits, including:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), where BDO fully funds annual allocations in company stock, allowing employees to grow wealth over time with no personal contributions.
• Comprehensive compensation and benefits package (eligibility requirements may apply).