Job Description

RAS SENIOR ASSOCIATE

DEPARTMENT

Risk Advisory Services

REPORTS TO

▪ Director of Audit

▪ RAS Partners

▪ Senior Managers

▪ Managers

SUPERVISES

▪ Associates

▪ Interns

HOURS

8:00am – 5:30pm with additional times as needed

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

The Risk Advisory Senior Associate is responsible for providing internal audit and Sarbanes-Oxley services to dynamic organizations across many different industries. Projects may include, but are not limited to, SSAE 16 Examinations, Information Technology Audits and Consulting, Surprise Examinations for Registered Investment Advisors, Compliance Readiness Assessments and Enterprise Risk Management Implementation and Maintenance. Seniors are responsible for leading client engagements and may manage two or more engagements, simultaneously. Seniors are responsible for planning and executing engagements and special assignments, supervising and training associates, reviewing work of associates and communication with clients. Seniors are responsible for compliance with all professional and regulatory standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

Core Expectations

▪ Adhere to the highest degree of professional standards, ethical principles and strict client confidentiality.

▪ Demonstrate a positive attitude towards our firm and our profession.

▪ Adhere to firm policies, procedures and practices.

▪ Respond to administrative requests promptly.

▪ Maintain a professional appearance and demeanour at all times.

▪ Continuously exhibit 5-Star internal and external service.

▪ Demonstrate initiative and curiosity, as well as a commitment to continuously acquire new personal and professional skills and knowledge. Attend professional development and training sessions on a regular basis.

Technical & Accounting

▪ Develop and maintain knowledge and application of more complex Accounting Principles and Internal Auditing Standards, the COSO Framework and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements; perform necessary accounting research to identify and apply relevant professional framework and guidance to make informed decisions.

▪ Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the entire engagement process. Apply theory and experience to individual circumstances.

▪ Develop and apply a thorough understanding of internal control systems.

▪ Broaden knowledge and interest in learning business processes, auditing principles, business controls, internal controls and system controls in a high-tech environment.

▪ Produce clear, highly literate reports to convey findings to management. Ensure that procedures are conducted and deliverables are prepared in accordance with generally accepted professional and firm standards.

▪ Assist clients in maintaining and testing internal controls required in connection with the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002 (SOX 404).

▪ Assist in all other types of risk advisory projects including (not limited to), SSAE 16 Examinations, Information Technology (IT) Audits and Consulting, Surprise Examinations for Registered Investment Advisors, Compliance Readiness Assessments and Enterprise Risk Management Implementation and Maintenance.

▪ Conduct and review operational, compliance, financial and IT internal audits with accuracy and completeness.

▪ Perform business and IT risk assessments.

▪ Identify client’s significant problems and propose appropriate solutions in highly literate reports to client.

▪ Develop knowledge of firm specialty groups with the goal of identifying personal preferences and/or strengths.

▪ Become a subject matter expert on one or more technical aspects (standard, software application, etc.).

▪ Perform assigned functions without an unusual degree of technical supervision and assistance.

▪ Identify and utilize relevant technology and tools to perform assigned tasks efficiently and effectively.

▪ Exhibit excellent analytical and problem solving skills.

Personal & Professional:

▪ Assume full responsibility for planning and executing engagements and assignments using established firm policies and procedures. Supervise Associates and manage client satisfaction.

▪ Coordinate various phases of engagements, including planning, budgeting of time and expenses, monitoring actual performance against budget, reviewing work papers and client reports for accuracy and completeness, suitability of presentation and adequacy of disclosures.

▪ Inspire confidence and respect from staff and the client. Clients, peers and subordinates look to you for guidance.

▪ Properly plan and staff engagements. Plan your own work and the work of assigned staff where applicable, in appropriate priorities and sequences.

▪ Demonstrate the ability to assess current capabilities and experiences of team members to properly determine roles and assignments. Delegate work appropriately.

▪ Actively participate in firm committees, departmental matters, events, learning experiences, etc.

▪ Lead meetings with engagement teams and clients, ensuring objectives are met.

▪ Keep Managers informed of all important developments on engagements.

▪ Demonstrate a strong work ethic, strong time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment; assume responsibility for your work and assist others when needed. Be self-motivated.

▪ Demonstrate organizational skills and ability to multi-task, requiring balance of responsiveness to multiple managers/supervisors.

▪ Demonstrate a strong attention to detail.

▪ Demonstrate problem-solving ability; use good judgment. Exhibit creativity by expressing new ideas and “thinking outside the box”; be solution-minded.

▪ Exhibit strong communication skills, both orally and in writing. Actively listen and clearly communicate ideas and information.

▪ Be aware of the impact of both your own and others personal styles and preferences; adapt as needed.

▪ Establish networks and relationships up, down and across the firm. Work respectfully and productively with diverse individuals in a variety of roles.

▪ Ask for timely help, answers and feedback.

▪ Seek opportunities to add new experiences/assignments that increase your commitment and capability within the firm by participating in programs such as wellness, recruiting, etc.

External Client Relationships

▪ Maintain effective contacts with client personnel at the appropriate levels. Interact with client in a professional and competent manor and continue to build trust-based relationships with client.

▪ Demonstrate the ability to maintain the cooperation of client personnel. Proactively work with client’s management to gather necessary information and complete engagement procedures in a timely manner.

▪ Communicate engagement’s progress, problems, resolutions, financial information, tax activity and other business concerns to the client.

▪ Research firm’s past relationship with client and prepare a plan for relationship building.

▪ Establish yourself as the lead contact for the client and monitor the quality of the relationship, as appropriate.

▪ Ask for and respond appropriately to client feedback and requests.

▪ Maintain comprehensive understanding of client operations, processes and business objectives and utilize that knowledge on engagements.

Firm Management

▪ Actively monitor engagement economics; manage budgets and seek efficiencies.

▪ Recognize out of scope work and communicate to Manager.

▪ Develop understanding of key metrics, i.e., net bill rate/hour productivity ratio, etc.

▪ Complete assigned work and wrap up loose ends in a timely manner, meet deadlines, keep superiors informed of the status of work and resolve reviewer comments timely and effectively.

▪ Utilize client personnel, interns and associates effectively and efficiently.

Business Development

▪ Join community and professional organizations. Participate in community or professional events/committees.

▪ Develop relationships and networks with professionals in the community.

▪ Listen for and identify business opportunities with clients and follow up with manager.

▪ Seek opportunities to contribute to proposals and presentations.

▪ Maintain knowledge of the professional capabilities of our firm and relate these to client needs.

Development of Others

▪ Support training of staff members, offer guidance and direction and give constructive criticism of work papers.

▪ Delegate assignments and tasks clearly, and provide needed guidance and information. Teach internal audit methodologies/processes to others.

▪ Assist in developing training materials and serve as an instructor in technical and professional development programs.

▪ Provide specific, actionable and timely feedback to team members, as appropriate. Prepare staff evaluation reports.

▪ Teach, coach and integrate staff on the firm’s engagement approach and process.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

▪ Assist with recruiting opportunities, as needed.

▪ Serve in educational programs as an instructor or discussion leader.

▪ Prepare other reports and projects as requested from time to time by managers or partners.

▪ Perform other duties as may be assigned.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

▪ 2+ years of experience in public accounting, demonstrating a progression in complexity, scope and number of engagements managed.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

▪ Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business, information technology or a related field.

▪ Must be eligible to sit for the CPA exam.

▪ Normally, the firm requires that each member of its professional staff obtain a minimum of 40 hours of CPE each year (or, alternatively, meet the CPE requirements of the AICPA).

REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATES OR KNOWLEDGE

▪ A Certified Internal Auditor or Certified Information System Auditor is preferred.

▪ A Certified Public Accountant is preferred and/or other suitable professional credentials or designations as needed.

▪ A current and valid driver license.

▪ CIAs must be a member in good standing with the IIA.

▪ CISAs must be a member in good standing with the ISACA.

▪ CPAs must be a member in good standing with the AICPA and TSCPA.

WORKING CONDITIONS

▪ Regular, physical and predictable on-site job attendance.

▪ Routine same-day travel for work at client’s offices, meetings and seminars which requires use of a personal vehicle.

▪ Occasional out-of-town travel with overnight stay for work at clients, meetings or seminars.

▪ Additional hours as needed to meet client expectations and deadlines.

SAFETY HAZARDS OF THE JOB

▪ Minimal hazards. General office working conditions.

This job description does not list all the duties of the job. You may be asked to perform other instructions and duties. You will be evaluated in part based upon performance of the tasks listed in this job description.

Management has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the employer may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.