Audit Associate

About Ascend

Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential.

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At Blackman & Sloop, we hire great people and give them a great place to work. We listen to what our employees value, and being a local firm gives us the advantage of flexibility. Our secret to retaining staff is a positive culture, strong community involvement, and a dedication to constantly increasing our competencies. We are a two-office firm, with locations in Chapel Hill and Greensboro, and approximately 45 full-time staff.

For 7 years, we’ve been honored as one of Accounting Today’s “Best Accounting Firms to Work For”! We’ve also been recognized by Business North Carolina as one of the “Best Employers in North Carolina” list for multiple years. Most recently, we are proud to have received the Best Companies Group award for Best Accounting Firms for Women in Chapel Hill.

As an independent member of the BDO Alliance, we have access to the resources of BDO USA, LLP, the world's 5th largest accounting and consulting firm. Additionally in May 2024, we made the strategic decision to join Ascend to usher us in our next stage of growth.

We are seeking an Experienced Audit Associate to work on a variety of audit engagements for commercial and nonprofit clients across the firm’s niche industries — including, construction, auto dealerships and nonprofit organizations, and employee benefit plans. This role is suited to an audit associate with one to two years of public accounting experience who is ready to take on greater engagement responsibility while gaining exposure to a diverse client base.

You will perform alongside a team of colleagues, display excellent interpersonal skills, and take ownership of assignments from start to finish. The ability to multi-task and complete your work within time constraints and deadlines is key to your success in this role.

• Support audit engagements for a diverse range of for-profit and nonprofit clients.
• Perform audit procedures in accordance with GAAS, firm methodology, and applicable accounting standards.
• Take ownership of assigned audit sections, including preparing work papers, lead schedules, reconciliations, and account analyses.
• Tie out trial balances, financial statements, supporting schedules, and disclosures for accuracy and completeness.
• Analyze financial information, investigate variances, and document conclusions based on sufficient appropriate audit evidence.
• Prepare client write-ups, audit findings, proposed adjustments, and other engagement deliverables.
• Assist with audit planning, internal control documentation, financial statement preparation, and management letter recommendations.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with clients and engagement team members.
• Multi-task across multiple assignments and complete work within established budgets, deadlines, and quality standards.
• Apply U.S. GAAP, GAAS, and internal control principles to audit engagements.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• 1–3 years of external audit experience in public accounting.
• Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, GAAS, internal controls, and financial statement presentation.
• Experience preparing audit work papers, reconciliations, lead schedules, analytical procedures, and financial statement tie-outs.
• Ability to take ownership of assigned audit areas and complete work accurately within established budgets and deadlines.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work on multiple assignments and interact professionally with clients and engagement team…