A Genuine Path to Partnership—and a Voice in Building the Firm’s Future
Evans & Bennett, LLP has served Central New York for more than 75 years. We are entering a deliberate generational transition that creates an unusually significant opportunity for an experienced assurance leader.
We are seeking an Audit Principal who is ready not only to become a partner, but also to help build the next generation of the firm. This position is intended for a senior manager, director, principal or similarly experienced professional who has demonstrated the ability to lead but may feel constrained by the advancement opportunities or leadership structure at their current firm.
This is not an open-ended “partner track” position. The successful candidate will begin assuming meaningful partner-level client, personnel and firm-leadership responsibilities quickly, with the intention of being considered for admission to partnership within approximately 12 to 24 months, based on performance and mutual fit.
Evans & Bennett’s next generation will combine more than 75 years of established relationships and community trust with younger, progressive leadership focused on technology, client service, team development and the continued evolution of the firm. We are looking for a builder who wants a meaningful voice in that process.
The Opportunity
The Audit Principal will help lead Evans & Bennett’s audit and accounting practice and oversee a portfolio of audits, reviews and compilations serving privately held and family-owned businesses, manufacturers, broker-dealers, professional service organizations, non-profits and employee benefit plans.
The successful candidate will work directly with current and retiring partners to transition significant client relationships and leadership responsibilities. Candidates are not expected to bring an existing book of business; the opportunity is built around serving and strengthening established Evans & Bennett relationships.
This individual will not simply enter an existing leadership structure. The Audit Principal will help shape the leadership team that carries the firm forward.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead a significant portfolio of audit, review and compilation engagements.
- Assume responsibility for established client relationships as part of the firm’s planned partner transition.
- Establish engagement strategy and ensure engagements are properly planned, staffed, performed, reviewed and completed.
- Review workpapers, financial statements, disclosures and required communications at a high level.
- Resolve complex accounting, auditing and financial-reporting matters.
- Maintain responsibility for engagement quality, budgets, deadlines, billing, realization and collections.
- Communicate directly with business owners, senior management, boards and other stakeholders.
- Supervise and develop managers, seniors and staff while helping build the firm’s future leadership team.
- Participate in recruiting, evaluations, scheduling, training and other personnel decisions.
- Help lead quality-management, technology, process-improvement and firm-operational initiatives.
- Participate in firm strategy and management decisions.
- Participate in tax or advisory work based on the candidate’s experience and interests.
- Prepare for the responsibilities associated with admission to partnership.
Qualifications
- At least eight years of progressive public-accounting audit and assurance experience, including significant engagement-management and supervisory responsibility.
- Active CPA license required.
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field.
- Significant experience planning, managing and reviewing audits, reviews and compilations.
- Advanced knowledge of GAAP, GAAS and financial-statement reporting requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a substantial portfolio of engagements and client relationships.
- Experience resolving complex technical accounting and auditing matters.
- Strong record of mentoring and developing professional staff.
- Executive presence and the ability to communicate effectively with business owners, senior management and boards.
- Excellent judgment, organization, project-management and decision-making skills.
- Ability to balance technical quality, client service, team development and engagement economics.
- Interest in becoming an owner and helping lead the long-term direction of a locally owned firm.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- Experience with CCH Engagement is a plus.
Compensation and Benefits
The base salary for this position is $130,000–$155,000, depending on experience and qualifications. The position is also eligible for production-based incentive compensation in addition to base salary.
Benefits include:
- Firm-paid Gold-level individual health insurance coverage
- Group term life and disability insurance
- Paid vacation, PTO and holidays
- Reduced summer hours
- Firm-paid continuing professional education
- CPA license and professional-membership reimbursement
- Relocation advance or reimbursement of up to $3,000
- Retirement-plan eligibility and employer matching contributions after one full year of service, with January 1 entry
- Student-loan payment reimbursement of up to $3,000 annually after one full year of service, with May 1 entry
- Immediate involvement in significant client, personnel and firm-management decisions
- A deliberate opportunity for consideration for partnership within approximately 12 to 24 months
Evans & Bennett, LLP is an equal opportunity employer.
Pay: $130,000.00 - $155,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Disability insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Professional development assistance
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
Education:
License/Certification:
Work Location: In person
