Associate, Accounting Advisory

Palm Tree LLC; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) with match

Unlimited PTO

High-growth, merit-based culture

Job summary

A consulting firm in Los Angeles seeks an Associate for Accounting Advisory, requiring a Bachelor's in Accounting and 4–6 years of experience. This role involves supporting financial reporting, analyzing accounting processes, and mentoring juniors. Benefits include a salary range of $100k–$125k, bonuses, and a hybrid work environment. Ideal candidates are CPA holders with strong analytical and communication skills, eager to support private equity clients and improve financial processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required; MAC/MBA helpful but not required.
• Active CPA highly preferred.
• 4–6+ years of relevant experience, ideally including audit/assurance.

Responsibilities

• Support internal and external financial reporting packages.
• Analyze accounting processes for improvement opportunities.
• Mentor junior team members and review their work.

Skills

Analytical skills

Critical-thinking

Detail-oriented

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Team-focused

Excel

PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

Tools

BI tools

Automation technologies

Job description

Base Pay Range

$100,000.00/yr - $125,000.00/yr

Additional Compensation Types

Annual Bonus

About Palm Tree

Palm Tree is a modern M&A value creation firm that integrates financial consulting, operational consulting, and investment banking services. Founded in 2010, Palm Tree specializes in supporting private equity firms, business operators, and management teams through strategic events such as mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, carve‑outs, recapitalizations, restructurings, and performance improvement initiatives. The firm’s unique model combines the expertise of private equity, Big‑4 accounting, and investment banking, delivering actionable solutions tailored to the challenges of middle‑market businesses.

Position Overview

Associates typically bring 4–6 years of relevant experience and work closely with senior team members and clients to address complex accounting and operational challenges. This role provides exposure to multiple facets of M&A, private equity, and Office of the CFO support within a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment. The Associate role in Accounting Advisory at Palm Tree is a critical, hands‑on position supporting Accounting Advisory engagements across financial reporting, month‑end close optimization, technical accounting, process improvement, and M&A‑related initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Support day‑to‑day execution of Accounting Advisory engagements, including internal and external financial reporting packages, accounting policies, technical accounting memos, disclosures, and audit request support.
• Purchase price accounting schedules and journal entries.
• Analyze accounting and finance processes to identify improvement opportunities in month‑end close, reporting efficiency, and automation.
• Internal controls, perform variance analyses across income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow drivers.
• Participate in client meetings and calls, helping explain financial results and technical conclusions.
• Help clients operationalize new reporting workflows, accounting processes, and value‑creation initiatives.

Team Contribution

• Mentor junior team members, review their work, and connect accounting insights to operational impacts.
• Provide regular engagement updates to senior leadership.
• Support internal training and best‑practice development across the firm.

Strategic & Operational Support

• Contribute to firm‑building efforts: recruiting, process improvement, thought leadership, and asset‑management.
• Begin developing direct client relationships and supporting long‑term account growth.

Qualifications

Education / Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required; MAC/MBA helpful but not required.
• Active CPA highly preferred.

Experience

• 4–6+ years of relevant experience, ideally including audit/assurance (public accounting), accounting advisory, corporate/industry accounting.
• Strong familiarity with U.S. GAAP, including revenue recognition, leases, and stock‑based compensation.
• Purchase accounting, debt vs. equity, financial instruments, and other technical areas.
• Experience juggling multiple workstreams and reviewing junior staff is preferred.

Technical Skills

• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting and close processes.
• Experience with BI tools or automation technologies is helpful.

Soft Skills

• Highly analytical with strong critical‑thinking skills.
• Detail‑oriented, organized, and effective under pressure.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proactive, motivated, and ‘team‑first’ mindset with a client‑service orientation.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary $100k–$125k, plus performance‑based bonus.
• Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, unlimited PTO.
• Hybrid work environment (2+ days in office), with travel of 5%–35% depending on engagements.
• High‑growth, merit‑based culture with accelerated advancement opportunities.