Senior Audit Associate

Verital Advisory Search; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Verital Advisory Search in Chicago is seeking an Audit Senior Associate to lead engagements from planning to completion, with direct access to managers and partners.

This role offers varied client work, ownership of engagements, mentoring junior staff, and opportunities to advance toward management within a collaborative firm.

You'll apply GAAP, perform risk assessments, and communicate progress to clients and leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
• CPA designation or progress toward completion.
• Strong GAAP knowledge.
• Ability to manage multiple engagements.
• Experience leading audit engagements.

Responsibilities

• Lead audit engagements from planning through completion, coordinating daily work and deadlines.
• Perform risk assessments, evaluate internal controls, and complete substantive testing.
• Prepare financial statements and supporting documentation in accordance with GAAP.
• Review associate work and provide coaching to junior team members.
• Serve as a regular point of contact for clients, communicating engagement progress.
• Work closely with managers and partners on technical issues, audit findings, and recommendations.
• Build experience across audit, review, and other assurance engagements for clients in various industries.

Skills

Audit leadership

Client communication

GAAP knowledge

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Job description

Audit Senior Associate | Downtown Chicago

A growing public accounting firm with a downtown Chicago presence is seeking an Audit Senior Associate to join its assurance team. This opportunity offers varied client work, direct access to managers and partners, and room to develop into a leadership role.

If you enjoy public accounting but want greater ownership of engagements and more involvement in client relationships, this could be a strong next step.

The Opportunity

• Lead audit engagements from planning through completion, coordinating daily work and keeping deadlines on track.
• Perform risk assessments, evaluate internal controls, and complete substantive testing.
• Prepare financial statements and supporting documentation in accordance with GAAP.
• Review associate work and provide practical coaching to junior team members.
• Serve as a regular point of contact for clients, resolving questions and communicating engagement progress.
• Work closely with managers and partners on technical issues, audit findings, and recommendations.
• Build experience across audit, review, and other assurance engagements for clients in a variety of industries.

What Makes This Role Attractive

• A downtown Chicago presence for professionals looking to build their careers in the city.
• Exposure to different businesses and accounting challenges, helping you broaden your technical experience.
• Opportunities to take ownership of engagements and strengthen your client management skills.
• Access to firm leadership, ongoing feedback, and support as you develop toward management.
• A collaborative team where senior associates contribute to both client delivery and staff development.

What We’re Looking For

• Approximately 3+ years of audit experience within public accounting.
• Experience leading engagement work and supporting or reviewing junior staff.
• A bachelor’s degree in accounting.
• CPA designation or progress toward completion.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and generally accepted auditing standards.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to manage multiple engagements.