Audit Principal

Novogradac; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 164,000 - 207,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Competitive salary

Flexible hours

Remote options

Inclusive workplace

Job summary

Novogradac is seeking a Principal to oversee audit engagements and provide technical review with minimal supervision. The role emphasizes mentoring staff, ensuring high-quality work, and maintaining strong client relationships across complex engagements.

Ideal candidates will have CPA licensure, 15+ years in public accounting audit, and the ability to research and resolve technical matters. Travel domestically and occasional evenings/weekends may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; CPA license required; 15+ years public accounting audit experience preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of auditing and accounting standards for complex engagements; ability to research and document technical matters.
• Strong communication to Partners, teams, and clients; professional and clear documentation.
• Willingness to travel domestically and work evenings/weekends as needed.

Responsibilities

• Oversee audit engagements and technical reviews, including planning, staffing, timing, and quality of work.
• Supervise and mentor staff, guide development, and maintain a collaborative team atmosphere.
• Identify high value opportunities for existing clients and support the firm’s technical reputation.
• Maintain client relationships through professionalism, responsiveness, and technical competence.
• Manage time efficiently to support multiple Partners and engagement teams.

Skills

Audit supervision

Technical review

Team leadership

Communication

Client relationships

Time management

Travel willingness

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

CPA license

Advanced degree

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel)

Report writing tools

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!

We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

Dare to bring your unique perspective?

At Novogradac, we value individuals who bring unique perspectives and bold ideas. If you’re eager to contribute to an inclusive, innovative environment where your personal and professional growth is encouraged and supported, we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity with us.

Position Summary

The Principal will oversee a variety of audit and other assignments as designated by the Partner. The Principal should function with minimal supervision, with primary emphasis on technical review, engagement supervision, mentoring, and consistent delivery of high-quality work.

Your Contributions And Responsibilities

• Assume responsibility for assigned audit engagements and technical review responsibilities, including planning, staffing, timing, technical issues, review comments, documentation quality, and timely completion of assigned work in coordination with the Partner group.
• Conduct thorough technical engagement reviews, including review of financial statements, audit workpapers, significant audit areas, documentation of conclusions, and resolution of complex technical matters.
• Supervise and mentor professional staff, including guiding and educating them in technical areas, identifying professional development opportunities and maintaining a respectful team atmosphere.
• Apply technical knowledge to identify and support high value-added opportunities for existing Firm clients.
• Support the Firm’s technical reputation by participating in appropriate internal training, client trainings, technical discussions, publications, or similar activities as requested.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with existing clients through professionalism, responsiveness, technical competence, and a service-oriented approach.
• Enhance skills in the industries the Firm focuses on by seeking out and completing training courses. Develop your technical expertise.
• Support office and Firm profitability by managing time efficiently, , supervising staff effectively, resolving review matters timely, and helping engagement teams deliver high-quality work.

Your Background And Skills

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in accounting or finance (advanced degree is a plus) and a minimum of 15 years of experience in public accounting audit experience, and/or or appropriate balance of education and work experience. CPA license is required. Experience reviewing complex project-level or fund-level audits is preferred.
• Exhibit advanced technical understanding of auditing and accounting standards applicable to complex project-level and fund-level audit engagements; demonstrate the ability to identify, research, resolve, and clearly document technical audit and accounting matters.
• Communicate complex audit, accounting, and review matters clearly and professionally to Partners, engagement teams, and clients as appropriate.
• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a commitment to technical excellence, including the ability to research unfamiliar matters and apply sound audit judgment.
• Consistently demonstrate strong technical professional, and supervisory judgment, including the ability to assess audit risks, evaluate evidence, and challenge conclusions when appropriate.
• Perform detailed technical reviews accurately and efficiently with strong attention to documentation, consistency, financial presentation, and compliance with Firm quality standards.
• Maintain strong organizational and follow-through skills necessary to support multiple Partners, engagement teams, and concurrent technical review priorities.
• Effectively prioritize a fast-paced and varied workload, including multiple concurrent engagement reviews, technical questions, and shifting Partner or client-service needs.
• Accept feedback and direction from the Partner group, apply that feedback to assigned engagements, and help promote consistency in audit execution and review practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively and foster a productive, team-oriented environment.
• Strong computer skills, including solid skills in the Microsoft Office suite (particularly Excel) and report writing tools.
• Maintain professional demeanor with co-workers and clients.
• Build confidence with the Partner group by providing reliable technical review support, sound judgment, responsiveness, and consistent high-quality work.
• Ability to meet internal Firm deadlines (time entry, billing, fee schedules, etc.)
• Available to work evenings and weekends based on position needs, and to travel domestically if required.

Experience with any of the following is helpful but not mandatory: Affordable Housing, Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Opportunity Zones (OZ), Renewable Energy Tax Credits (RETC), Historical Tax Credits (HTC), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), Real Estate, Developers, Partnerships, Housing Authority (HA), Public Housing Authority, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), Community Development Entity Certification Applications (CDE), Property Compliance, Nonprofit, Single Audit, Uniform Guidance, A-133, Forecasting, Cost Segregation, Year 15 Exit, Tax-exempt bond and HOME programs. Novogradac provides publicly and privately held national enterprises with a full spectrum of audit, tax, valuation, expert witness and litigation support, property compliance and general consulting services and works extensively in the affordable housing, community development, historic preservation and renewable energy fields.

Why work with us?

Novogradac is committed to fostering a welcoming workplace where all employees feel valued and empowered to grow. We believe in offering a supportive, balanced work environment that encourages professional growth and work-life integration.

We Are Proud To Offer

• Increased number of paid holidays per year
• Competitive salaries with continuous review of market conditions
• Flexible working hours and work arrangements
• Remote and hybrid opportunities
• Inclusive workplace, providing strong professional growth and development opportunities

The Benefits Of Joining Our Team

• Strong growth opportunities
• Competitive benefits package
• 401(k) package with firm profit-sharing
• Discretionary annual bonuses for eligible positions & CPA bonus plan
• Strong emphasis on quality work-life integration
• Dress for your day policy
• Resources of a national firm
• Opportunities to engage with our active Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), affinity groups, and advance your career within a supportive, inclusive environment
• Compensation: $164,000 to $207,000 depending on experience. More possible if experience dictates.

Don’t Meet Every Single Qualification?

After reviewing this job posting, are you hesitating to apply because you don’t meet all the listed requirements? At Novogradac, we are dedicated to building a workplace supported by unique perspectives and experiences, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

You may still be the right candidate for this or one of our other roles.

Get to know us better!

We’re Novogradac, a national certified public accounting