Job Description and Career Profile for
SENIOR ASSOCIATE – AUDIT
GENERAL DESCRIPTION A Senior Associate – Audit (“Senior Associate”) will work under the supervision of the Audit Partners, Directors, Managers and Assistant Managers and will lead the teams responsible for multiple engagements encompassing all aspects of an audit from the initial planning to the execution and completion of fieldwork, including performing internal control reviews and reviewing regulatory matters. ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS Must hold a professional accounting qualification such as CA, CPA, ACA, ACCA or other internationally recognized professional accounting designation and will ideally hold a B.A./B.S. degree. GENERAL WORK PROFILE The Senior Associate will be responsible for the progress of the audit engagement, from initial planning through to final issuance. This includes all aspects of the engagement, allocating work and coaching of junior team members, being the main client contact and liaising with Managers and Partners throughout the course of the audit to ensure that all specific client deadlines are met. Audit work will cover, in general, the following areas:
• Planning • Execution:
Cash Receivables Investments (level 1, 2 and 3 investments including digital asset holdings) Fixed Assets Payables Equity Revenue Expenses Other industry specific caption areas
• Completion • Reviewing work of junior team members • Financial Statement preparation/review including the use of US GAAP and IFRS disclosure
checklists • Preparation of management letters of representation, letters of communication to those
charged with governance and other as needed communications with clients and client service providers
• Other ad hoc assignments as directed by management including compilations, reviews and other assurance and non-assurance engagements
ASSURANCE CAREER PROFILE SENIOR ASSOCIATE MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
• CA, CPA, ACA, ACCA or other internationally recognized professional accounting designation
• B.A./B.S. degree • Public accounting experience or equivalent • Knowledge of resources and technical skills needed for engagement work • Understanding of ISAs, IFRS and US GAAP • Demonstrates an ability to In-charge an engagement
Role Success Factors ROLE SUCCESS FACTORS
CLIENT SERVICE EXCELLENCE
• Manages proper communication during the engagement (phone, e-mail, face to face) • Takes initiative to stay in contact with appropriate client personnel throughout the year as
applicable, not limiting communication to only during the audit • Acts in a professional manner in all client and team interactions • Manages engagement to meet deliverable deadlines; identifies roadblocks, understands
critical milestones to meet client service expectations • Plays a key role in execution of audit engagement from planning to wrap-up • Possesses an understanding of the client’s business and industry; including competitors,
trends and key customers • Participates in annual engagement process improvements • Reacts to change quickly and keeps audit engagement on track (timing, budget, etc.) • Takes initiative to identify best practices and improvements for next year, and considers
applicability of best practices for other clients
PEOPLE MANAGEMENT / RELATIONSHIPS
• Develops loyalty and trust with team • Provides quality on the job training and constructive feedback to Interns, Associates and
other Senior Associates • Delegates properly based on risk, engagement status, and staff developmental opportunities,
ensuring that team members have the growth opportunities to advance to the next level • Able to balance own work on an engagement and the training/coaching of Interns and
Associates • Aware of and successfully adapts to different learning styles while teaching; adapts to
different personalities and working styles of client and team • Participates in campus recruiting efforts to help attract top talent
PRODUCTIVITY & BUSINESS GROWTH
• Meets charge hour and job recovery goals • Understands engagement economics and factors that impact realization and net collected
rate • Develops budgets for new or existing clients incorporating knowledge of items that affect a
budget (financial statements, industry, size, etc.) • Monitors engagement budgets and is aware of out of scope work and proactively
communicates potential issues to appropriate team member • Knowledgeable on RSM’s lines of business and service offerings available in the industries
served • Maintains and develops professional network of peers
EXPERTISE
• Able to research an accounting topic and form a conclusion to be reviewed by appropriate
team member (Manager, Director, Partner) • Understands risk assessment process and applies knowledge in completing all related forms
in the audit file; understands the impact of risk elements on the work performed • Successfully completes the planning forms for a new client • Develops audit program steps to effectively address risks identified in planning and new
pronouncements applicable to client • Completes an effective in-charge level review of file, ensuring all necessary documentation to
support conclusions is included in the audit file • Prepares complex financial report (statements, footnotes and any supplemental information)
and all other client deliverables • Understands cash flow effects of complex activities (non-cash, acquisitions, etc.) • Continuously looking for opportunities to more effectively and efficiently audit under the risk
based standards • Applies industry trends to analytics, formulating expectations and determining
reasonableness • Demonstrates self-awareness of personal strengths and development areas
KEY SKILLS TO ACCELERATE CAREER
• Proactively drives execution of audit engagement process effectively and efficiently • Possesses a positive attitude that is evident in client/team interactions and is a well-
respected team member; proactively trains and develops staff • Demonstrates technical competency and ability to research and form conclusions for complex
topics Key Dev KEY DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES Opportunities ON THE JOB
• Interact with Assistant Managers, Managers, Directors, and Partners • Daily interaction with clients • Form network and relationships with individuals in other lines of business • Provide continuous development and training for Interns, Associates and other Senior
Associates • Seek exposure to multiple teams/people/work styles from which to learn
LEARNING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Industry related training • Facilitate local office CPE • Read information provided by RSM and profession to stay current on accounting and
auditing guidance • Share best practices at CPE • Communication/presentation skills and project management training
OTHER
• Networking: community and professional organizations, alumni programs, professional networking websites, etc.
• Identify mentor(s) – take ownership of career • Attend local training opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge