Executive Assistant, CEO & Partners

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.

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 seven consecutive 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 for multiple years. Most recently, we were proud to receive 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 fifth largest accounting and consulting firm. Additionally, in May 2024, we made the strategic decision to join Ascend to usher us into our next stage of growth. While we're a local accounting firm, our people benefit from the resources, technology, and opportunities of a growing national platform while maintaining the collaborative culture that makes Blackman & Sloop unique.

As the Executive Assistant to the CEO & Partners, you will serve as the operational right hand to firm leadership while creating an exceptional experience for clients and visitors. This is a unique opportunity that combines executive level support with front of house leadership in a highly collaborative professional services environment.

You will manage complex executive calendars, coordinate travel and leadership meetings, oversee confidential communications, and serve as a trusted partner to the CEO and Partner group. At the same time, you will be the welcoming face of the firm, ensuring clients and staff experience a polished, organized, and professional office every day.

This role is designed for a seasoned Executive Assistant who thrives on ownership, variety, and building trusted relationships with senior leaders. During your first year, you'll focus on mastering the core responsibilities with the opportunity to expand your scope as the firm continues to grow.

• Manage complex calendars for the CEO and Partner group, exercising independent judgment to balance competing priorities.
• Serve as a trusted liaison between firm leadership, clients, Ascend, ownership, and external stakeholders.
• Analyze scheduling needs and recommend improvements to leadership cadence and reporting.
• Coordinate and support special projects for the Executive Leadership Team, Head of People, and Chief Growth Officer.
• Arrange executive travel, expense reporting, and meeting logistics.
• Prepare agendas, briefing materials, presentations, and meeting documentation.
• Manage confidential correspondence while acting as a discreet gatekeeper for firm leadership.
• Coordinate CEO, Partner, and firm wide leadership meetings, including quarterly and annual planning sessions.
• Manage Partner scheduling preferences, including calendar visibility and no meeting days.
• Support service line teams during periods of increased workload as business needs require.

• Welcome clients and visitors while creating an exceptional first impression of the firm.
• Manage incoming calls, mail, deliveries, and daily office operations.
• Prepare conference rooms for meetings and maintain professional common areas.
• Order and…