Audit Manager

Distinct | North America; Downers Grove (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Distinct in Chicago is seeking an experienced Audit leader to guide engagements with middle-market clients across Manufacturing & Distribution, Real Estate and other for-profit sectors. You will manage complex audits, relationships, and staff development, with close collaboration with Partners to shape the practice growth.

The role is hybrid, with flexible office days, and offers visibility across the local team.

Qualifications

• Public accounting background with leadership experience in audits.
• Experience leading engagements and developing staff.
• Strong client relationship skills and ability to collaborate across service lines.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex Audit engagements for middle-market clients in various industries.
• Manage client relationships and develop team members.
• Collaborate with Partners to contribute to practice growth and cross-service collaboration.

Skills

Public accounting experience

Audit leadership

Client relationship management

Industry knowledge

Education

CPA

Job description

You don’t have to move to a smaller firm to have more influence over your clients, your team and where your career goes next.

I’m working with an established CPA firm looking to add experienced Audit leadership in Chicago. Your background could be in Manufacturing & Distribution, Real Estate or a broader mix of for profit clients.

Partners are accessible, the structure is relatively flat and there is a mix of homegrown leaders alongside people who have joined from Big 4 and larger national firms.

The client base is predominantly middle market, with privately held businesses across a broad mix of industries. You could bring depth in a particular sector or experience across several.

You’ll lead complex Audit engagements, manage client relationships and help the people in your team develop. Beyond delivering the work, there’s room to contribute to the Chicago practice and work closely with the Partners on how it grows.

They are open on exact level depending on your experience. What matters is that you can bring leadership to the Audit team and want to keep progressing.

What they are looking for:

• Current public accounting experience
• CPA
• Strong Audit experience with Manufacturing & Distribution, Real Estate or general for profit clients
• Experience leading engagements and developing staff
• Strong client relationship skills
• Someone who enjoys being involved with the wider team and wants visibility locally

One thing I particularly like about the firm is how they operate across service lines.

The structure encourages offices and teams to collaborate. Audit, Tax, Accounting and Consulting colleagues can work together around your clients, giving you people to turn to when a conversation goes beyond the Audit itself.

The role is hybrid, with flexibility around how you structure your office days.