Audit Manager or Director - Higher Education

CliftonLarsonAllen LLP; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 181,000; Full time

Job summary

CliftonLarsonAllen LLP is seeking an Audit Director or Manager to join the Higher Education Assurance team in Washington. You will lead engagements for state colleges, public universities, private institutions, and related philanthropic activities, ensuring quality and client value.

The role emphasizes planning, staffing, and delivering audits, mentoring staff, and maintaining client relationships while guiding engagement economics and timelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 6+ years of public accounting experience.
• Experience in a large professional services firm.
• CPA required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage client relationships.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Plan, supervise, and control all phases of higher ed engagements.
• Plan timing, staffing, and execution of assurance engagements.
• Lead decision-making and inform principals of progress.
• Develop a trained, accountable team and mentor staff.
• Supervise engagement letters, discuss terms with clients, and estimate fees.
• Evaluate internal controls and audit programs for approval.
• Monitor progress, budgets, deadlines, and client communication.

Skills

Public accounting

Leadership

CPA

Client relations

Education

CPA certification

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Job description

CLA is a top 10 national professional services firm where our purpose is to create opportunities every day, for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. Even with more than 8,500 people, 130 U.S. locations, and a global reach, we promise to know you and help you.

CLA is dedicated to building a culture that invites different beliefs and perspectives to the table, so we can truly know and help our clients, communities, and each other.

CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP is hiring an Audit Director or Manager to join our Higher Education Assurance team. In this role, you'll work with CLA's higher education clients to help make an impact across the education system, including state colleges, public universities, private institutions, and their philanthropic, research, and athletic endeavors.

How you'll create opportunities in this Audit Director or Manager role:

• Assume responsibility for planning, supervising, and controlling all phases of the Firm's higher ed industry clients as delegated by Principals.
• Assume in-charge responsibility by planning the timing, staffing, and execution of assurance engagements to promote efficient operations and deliver value to clients.
• Lead the decision-making process for assigned engagements and clients; keep the Engagement Principal fully informed of major decisions and engagement progress.
• Develop a trained and accountable team by assisting with recruiting, planning assignments, resolving problems, providing direct consultation to staff, evaluating performance, and serving as an instructor or discussion leader in professional development programs.
• Supervise the preparation of engagement letters for approval by the Engagement Principal; discuss the nature and terms of each assignment with clients; estimate fees; and ensure clients sign and return engagement letters before work begins.
• Evaluate internal controls and audit programs prepared by staff, revise as necessary, and present to the Engagement Principal for approval.
• Monitor engagement progress, time budgets, and deadlines; communicate important developments to the Engagement Principal along with relevant facts, conclusions, and recommendations; maintain ongoing communication with client management; and prepare for final client meetings.

What you will need:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
• 6+ years of public accounting experience
• Experience in a large professional services or public accounting firm, driving strategic management preferred.
• CPA required
• Demonstrated ability to manage client relationships.
• Ability to show strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.

Our approach to compensation emphasizes collaboration and career growth. We pay competitive wages and view compensation as an investment in our people. Factors such as geography, experience, education, skills, and knowledge may impact position of pay within the range.

The compensation range for this position in Washington is: $105,000.00 to $181,000.00

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Wellness at CLA

To support our CLA family members, we focus on their physical, financial, social, and emotional well-being and offer comprehensive benefit options that include health, dental, vision, 401k and much more.