Audit Manager

Ascend; Pasadena (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

401(k) matching

Discretionary bonus

Commitment to professional development

Job summary

Ascend is looking for an Audit Manager based in Pasadena, CA to oversee assurance engagements across various industries. You will manage client relationships, engagement economics, and serve as a primary contact for clients. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience in public accounting and hold an active CPA license.

The role allows for professional growth in a supportive environment with flexible working conditions. Compensation is competitive, with a salary range of $130,000 to $170,000 per year.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in an assurance department at a public accounting firm.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple engagements and lead engagement teams.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversees assurance engagements and engagement teams for clients.
• Manages engagement economics including budgets and billing.
• Leads proposal development and business development activities.

Skills

Experience in assurance

Management skills

Excellent communication

Project management

Education

BA/BS degree in accounting or business

Active CPA license

Master's degree in accounting (preferred)

Tools

Dynamic Audit Solutions (DAS)

OnPoint PCR

Suralink

Job description

About Ascend

Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best‑of‑breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back‑office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.

About Lucas Horsfall

Have you dreamt about a career in public accounting with work‑life balance? Enjoying the diversity of clients and the challenging work public accounting offers with the added benefits of professional growth and opportunity for advancement? Have you experienced a culture that is fun and diverse offering an authentic family feel with people that truly care about you and your professional development? Lucas Horsfall is that CPA firm. Celebrating our 68th year anniversary in 2025, we attribute our exceptional growth and low turnover to our appreciation of our people and clients. This growth has provided a need for an Audit Manager to help deliver personal and experienced service to our vast array of clients.

The Role

At Lucas Horsfall, an Audit Manager oversees assurance engagements and engagement teams for clients across a variety of industries. The position carries overall responsibility for engagement execution, including planning and risk assessment, fieldwork, analysis of financial statements, and final documentation, while managing client relationships and developing staff in a close team environment. The Audit Manager serves as a primary client contact, manages engagement economics, researches complex audit and accounting issues, and ensures that all work is completed accurately and in accordance with US GAAP, GAAS, and firm standards. Reporting to the firm's partners, this role leads, trains, and develops audit staff and seniors. This role will be performed in a hybrid environment out of either our Pasadena, CA or Irvine, CA office location.

Key Responsibilities

• Holds overall responsibility for planning, execution, and completion of multiple concurrent assurance engagements, including risk assessment, fieldwork oversight, analytics, and financial statement preparation and review.
• Manages engagement economics, including budgets, scheduling, billing, realization, and work‑in‑progress, and escalates issues to partners proactively.
• Serves as the primary client relationship owner, delivering prompt, professional communication, anticipating client needs, and identifying opportunities for additional services.
• Leads proposal development and business development activities, including client and prospect pursuits.
• Sources new business through net new opportunities, expansion of existing accounts, and cross‑selling of firm services.
• Provides final review of engagement files and the work of seniors and staff before partner review.
• Supervises, develops, and evaluates audit staff and seniors, including real‑time coaching, technical review, on‑the‑job mentoring, and formal performance feedback.
• Contributes to firm‑wide technical training and internal knowledge sharing.
• Publishes technical thought leadership content, such as articles, blog posts, webinars, on a regular basis.
• Applies and interprets GAAP/GAAS independently in live audit decisions and serves as a technical resource for the engagement team.
• Maintains quality standards across a portfolio of complex engagements.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops or classes, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.
• Contributes to firm culture and growth initiatives, including mentoring, recruiting, training, and knowledge sharing.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in an assurance department at a public accounting firm, including prior supervisory or in‑charge experience.
• Active CPA license.
• BA/BS degree in accounting or business from an accredited university.
• Experience working with privately held clients.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple engagements and lead engagement teams.
• Must be able to travel to client locations.
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in accounting.
• Industry experience in manufacturing, construction, service industry, and consolidations.
• Applied working knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and U.S. Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).
• Experience with Dynamic Audit Solutions (DAS), OnPoint PCR, OnPoint EBP, Suralink, DataSnipper, Trullion and AI platforms.

What We Offer

• Flexible PTO
• Excellent voluntary insurance options
• 401(k) matching
• Discretionary bonus
• Commitment to professional development
• Meaningful work that makes a difference in our clients' lives

How To Apply

• Basic contact information
• Resume/CV and optional cover letter upload
• Work eligibility, credentials, and compensation
• Voluntary demographic & self‑ID questions

The pay range for this role is $130,000 – $170,000 per year. This range includes the anticipated low and high end of the pay range for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on various factors, including experience, education, and/or skill level.

At Ascend, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Ascend hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.

For further questions or inquiries about the role, please reach out to Aidan Jebson, Sr. Recruiter at [e-mail].