Staff Auditor

Sikich; Alexandria (VA); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Sikich in Alexandria, VA (with openings also in Columbus, OH and Indianapolis, IN) is seeking a Staff Accountant (Federal Audit) for an early-career, full-time role. You will test internal controls, prepare workpapers and reports, manage audit tasks to completion, and use data analysis tools and AI to improve efficiency while meeting firm standards and client requirements.

Eligible candidates have a Bachelor's in Accounting, and must be able to obtain an Active Secret clearance for federal work;

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required or preferred for federal audit practices.
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain/maintain for federal work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Willingness to travel up to 25% for client engagements.

Responsibilities

• Test the accuracy and completeness of reported amounts in federal audits.
• Prepare high-quality workpapers, findings, and reports per auditing standards.
• Own assigned audit work areas from inception to completion.
• Adhere to schedules and submit to clients by contract deadlines.
• Leverage data analysis tools and AI to increase audit efficiency and effectiveness.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Attention to detail

Accounting skills

Travel up to 25%

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data analysis tools

Job description

Staff Accountant (Federal Audit) | Sikich

The Tone:

This is an early career opportunity at Sikich, located in Alexandria, VA, Columbus, OH, or Indianapolis, IN. Sikich is a 2,628-person organization that provides a diverse platform of professional services across consulting, technology, and compliance to both public and private sectors. This Staff Accountant role is essential for delivering high-quality federal audit services, ensuring financial accuracy and control effectiveness for government clients, and helping Sikich further its leadership in the professional services landscape by cutting through complexity and delivering real impact.

The TL;DR

• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person – Alexandria, VA, Columbus, OH, Indianapolis, IN
• Pay: $61000–$80000 yearly
• Mission: To ensure accuracy, completeness, and operating effectiveness of internal controls in federal audits, supporting client compliance and firm growth.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel), data analysis tools, AI

What You’ll Actually Do

• Testing: Conduct comprehensive testing to determine the accuracy and completeness of reported amounts, and to assess the operating effectiveness of internal controls within federal audits.
• Deliverables: Prepare high-quality work products, including detailed workpapers, findings, reports, and other written deliverables, ensuring strict adherence to auditing standards and firm guidelines.
• Management: Own assigned work areas, meticulously managing all aspects of the audit tasks from inception to completion.
• Schedule Adherence: Execute tasks for assigned work areas in accordance with internally developed schedules, ensuring sufficient time for secondary review and submission to the client by contractual deadlines.
• Technological Enhancement: Utilize advanced technology, including data analysis tools and artificial intelligence, to continuously increase the efficiency and overall effectiveness of audit procedures.

The Must-Haves

• Background: Requires a Bachelor’s degree, with a preference for a degree in Accounting, to provide the necessary foundational knowledge for federal audit practices.
• Experience: Candidates must hold a minimum Active Secret clearance or possess the ability to obtain and maintain this level of clearance for federal contract work.
• Skills: Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills for clear client and team interaction; possess proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel); showcase strong accounting skills and a detail-oriented approach; and have the ability to travel up to 25% for client engagements.
• Bonus: A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is preferred, and prior audit internship/work experience or an advanced degree will be highly valued.