Audit Senior Accountant

Louis Plung & Company; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading accounting firm in Allegheny County is seeking a Senior Accountant to direct client engagements, supervise junior staff, and ensure compliance with professional standards. The ideal candidate will have a degree in accounting and be progressing toward CPA certification. Responsibilities include planning, audit procedures, and maintaining communication with clients and supervisors. This full-time position offers opportunities for professional development and occasional travel.

Qualifications

• At least a Bachelor's degree in accounting or an equivalent degree.
• CPA certification or progress towards it.
• Strong communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Direct work on client engagements and lead junior staff.
• Manage client engagement planning and completion.
• Ensure compliance with professional standards.

Skills

Accounting principles

Supervisory skills

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting

CPA certification (or progress towards)

Job description

Summary of Responsibilities

The Senior Accountant directs work on some client engagements and assists in larger client engagements. They often lead one or more staff, instruct them in work to be performed, review the work done, and direct necessary revisions. Responsible for proper performance of fieldwork and reporting progress to supervisors, managers, or partners. Can be involved in planning and completing an engagement. Seniors are expected to identify accounting issues and bring them to their supervisor’s attention along with their research of what should be done. Seniors are also responsible for complying with professional standards and regulations.

Description

As a Senior Accountant, you will use your technical knowledge to provide high‑quality work, supervise junior staff, and manage client engagements. You will participate in planning and scheduling, develop audit procedures, and ensure accuracy and validity of clients’ financial statements.

Performance Expectations

• Performs diversified accounting, auditing, and other assignments under the direction of other seniors, supervisors, managers or partners.
• Demonstrates competency in technical skills, work quality, and application of professional and Firm standards.
• Meets time constraints and client deadlines.
• Participates in planning and scheduling client engagements.
• Provides supervision and on‑the‑job training to staff assigned to engagement.
• Directs and instructs staff accountants or interns, where applicable, in work to be performed and working paper review.
• Determines the sample size required in an audit and selects the transactions to be tested and communicates this to the supervisor, manager or partner.
• Prepares and indexes working papers; performs various procedures established under generally accepted accounting principles to verify accuracy and validity of client’s financial matters.
• Prepares routine correspondence to client for approval and signature of a partner; writes comments for management letters.
• Drafts reports including notes to financial statements.
• Performs the broadest range of accountant tasks with participation of supervisors, managers or partners.
• Maintains good communication with staff to make sure that all work is being performed in an accurate and timely manner.
• Maintains communication with supervisors, managers, and partners to ensure that the work process is continuing in an organized, efficient, and professional manner.
• Begins developing relationships with clients and handling routine responsibilities and engagements while targeting subjects that should be discussed with managers or partners.
• Reviews work papers prepared by staff accountants.
• Decisions made by senior should be communicated to supervisor, manager or partner.
• Communicates status of the engagement to the supervisor, manager or partner on a regular basis.
• Maintains high professional standards.
• Participates in evaluations of staff.

Assignments

• Supervising staff on engagements (may include delegating duties).
• Participating in several engagements simultaneously.
• Handling written correspondence with minimal supervision.
• Preparing other reports, projects, and duties as may be assigned.
• Keeping supervisors, managers, and partners in the loop on engagements.

Professional Development

• Demonstrating ability to be face of the firm with clients.
• Working with management on in‑house training programs, including CPE and other presentations.
• Continuing participation in civic events, to project the firm’s image and attract new business.
• Learning new technology the firm introduces into the work environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or Master’s degree in accounting. A Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in another business discipline may qualify if it includes enough accounting credits to qualify for the CPA exam.
• Either hold a current and valid certified public accountant’s license, or be working toward obtaining the license by taking and passing the applicable state CPA exam.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English, oral and written.
• Continuing professional education as established by the AICPA and applicable state society, averaging 40 hours annually.
• If licensed, should be a member in good standing with the AICPA and applicable state society.

Working Conditions

• Frequent same‑day travel for work at client’s offices, meetings, and seminars, using a personal vehicle.
• Occasional out‑of‑town travel with overnight stay for work at clients, meetings or seminars, often using a personal vehicle.
• Occasional overtime work required throughout the year. Overtime and Saturday work may be required from mid‑January through end of April as well as other times throughout the year depending on client needs.
• Minimal safety hazards: General office working conditions.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Accounting / Auditing and Finance

Industries

Accounting