Assurance Associate - Fall 2027 (San Francisco)

BDO USA; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

BDO Total Rewards

ESOP ownership

Job summary

BDO USA is seeking an Assurance Associate in the San Francisco area to prepare financial statements with disclosures, apply GAAP, and document and test internal controls. The role may involve reviews and agreed-upon procedures engagements and requires travel as needed to serve clients and firm needs.

Ideal candidates hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or related fields, CPA eligibility or pursuit, and may have a master’s in accountancy. Proficiency with Microsoft Office is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or Statistics, required OR Bachelor’s degree in other focus area and CPA certification, required
• Master’s in Accountancy, preferred
• CPA eligible/sitting is required or pursued

Responsibilities

• Prepare financial statements with disclosures
• Apply basic GAAP knowledge to engagements
• Document, validate and test internal controls
• Assist in reviews and agreed-upon procedures engagements
• Travel to meet firm and client needs

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication skills

Teamwork

Willingness to travel

Proactive/initiative

Audit/scoping actions

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or Statistics

CPA certification

Master’s in Accountancy

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Assurance Associate will be responsible for preparing financial statements with disclosures, applying basic areas of GAAP as necessary and documenting, validating, testing, and assessing various control systems. This position may also be involved in reviews and agreed-upon procedure engagements. The Assurance Associate will be expected to travel, as needed, to meet firm and client needs.

Job Duties

Control Environment

• Applies knowledge and understanding of the collective effect of various factors on establishing or enhancing effectiveness, or mitigating the risks, of specific policies and procedures by:
  • Identifying and considering all applicable policies, laws, rules, and regulations of the firm, regulators, or other authoritative bodies as part of engagement team;
  • Making constructive suggestions to improve client internal controls and accounting procedures;
  • Documenting and validating the operating effectiveness of the clients’ internal control system.

Gaap

• Applies knowledge and understanding of governing principles; applying these principles to client transactions; and documenting and communicating an understanding and application of these principles by:
  • Providing support of conclusions with authoritative literature;
  • Drafting basic sets of financial statements with disclosures;
  • Researching intermediate areas of accounting and forming an initial opinion on the correct treatment independently

Gaas

• Applies knowledge and understanding of professional standards; application of the principles contained in professional standards; and the ability to document and communicate an understanding and application of professional standards on an engagement by:
  • Developing and applying an intermediate knowledge of auditing theory, a sense of audit skepticism, and the use of BDO audit manuals
  • Applying auditing theory to various client situations
  • Documenting in line with BDO policy, identifying deviations and notifying more senior team members in order to obtain appropriate approvals
• Applying knowledge to identify instances where testing may be reduced or expanded and notifying more senior team members of the occurrence
• Contributing ideas/opinions to the engagement teams

Methodology

• Applies knowledge and application of BDO standards to guide effective and efficient delivery of quality services and products by:
  • Completing all appropriate documentation of BDO work papers
  • Ensuring assigned work is performed in accordance with BDO methodology and requirements

Research

• Applies methodology used to seek or maintain information from authoritative sources and to draw conclusions regarding a target issue based on the information by:
  • Researching basic and intermediate accounting topics and forming an initial opinion on the treatment independently
• Other duties as required

Education

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or Statistics, required OR Bachelor’s degree in other focus area and CPA certification, required
• Master’s in Accountancy, preferred

Experience

• Leadership experience, preferred
• Accounting based internship, preferred

License/Certifications

• Eligible to sit for the CPA exams upon starting employment, required
• Actively pursuing completion of CPA exams, preferred

Software

• Proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite, required

Other Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to follow instructions as directed
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting
• Ability and willingness to travel, as needed, required
• Takes appropriate actions without being asked
• Basic understanding and experience planning and coordinating the stages to perform an audit of a basic public and/or private company

Individual salaries that are offered to a candidate are determined after consideration of numerous factors including but not limited to the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and geography.

California Range: $85,000 - $90,000

Colorado Range: $73,000 - $77,000

Illinois Range: $78,000 - $82,000

Maryland Range: $83,000 - $87,000

Massachusetts Range: $83,000 - $87,000

Minnesota Range: $70,000 - $74,000

New Jersey Range: $78,000 - $82,000

NYC/Long Island/Westchester Range: $83,000 - $87,000

Ohio Range: $71,000 - $75,000

Virginia Range: $83,000 - $87,000

Washington Range: $78,000 - $80,000

Washington DC Range: $83,000 - $87,000

About Us

At BDO, how we show up matters. We build strong relationships by supporting one another, our clients, and our communities with care, curiosity, and a commitment to helping one another grow and succeed. Here, you’ll find meaningful work, leaders invested in your success, and opportunities to build a career around what matters most to you.

Our purpose is to be the people our clients count on to grow with confidence and achieve what matters most. Our values guide how we bring that purpose to life each day. Together, they shape how we work with one another, serve our clients, and create meaningful impact.

BDO provides assurance, tax, and advisory services to clients across the U.S. and around the world. No matter your role, you’ll be part of a team helping clients navigate complexity and move forward with clarity.

We are proud to be an ESOP company, offering participants a stake in the firm’s success through beneficial ownership and a unique opportunity to enhance their financial well‑being. As a qualified retirement plan, the ESOP is a meaningful addition to our comprehensive compensation and Total Rewards benefits* offerings. It also reinforces an ownership mindset that strengthens our connection to one another, our clients, and the future we’re building together.

Learn more about our benefits: BDO Total Rewards encompass more than traditional benefits.

• Benefits may be subject to eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

BDO USA, P.A. is an EO employer M/F/Veteran/Disability