CAAS Senior Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

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. For more information, visit

We are a top 3 accounting and advisory firm in Western New York with nearly 140 partners and associates, including 70 CPAs serving clients across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and South & Central America. We serve all industries and have deep expertise in small business, manufacturing, education, e-commerce, aerospace & defense, construction, insurance, professional services, private equity, non-profits, and government entities. Our key services include Tax Advisory services, M&A/Transaction Advisory services, State & Local Tax services, Client Accounting & Advisory Services (CAAS), Audit & Attestation Advisory services. We have many additional services that we specialize in. We strategically partnered with Ascend, an accounting firm platform, in 2025 to expand our footprint and enhance our capabilities and service offerings to our clients.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Accountant in our CAAS practice, you'll play a key role in supporting and guiding accounting engagements for a portfolio of clients while serving as a trusted advisor to business owners and management teams. You will oversee monthly accounting operations, review staff work, support strategic financial initiatives, and deliver insights that help clients make informed business decisions.

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to expand your advisory capabilities, build meaningful client relationships, mentor team members, and contribute to the continued growth of TSA's expanding CAAS practice.

How You'll Help Us Build a Confident Future:  

Client Delivery & Support

• Manage accounting engagements for multiple clients across a variety of industries.
• Lead month-end and year-end close processes.
• Prepare and review financial statements, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Analyze financial results and identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Support controllership and CFO-level engagements through financial reporting and analysis.
• Serve as a trusted day-to-day contact for clients and help ensure exceptional client service.
• Help onboard new clients and ensure smooth transitions into TSA systems and processes.

Advisory Collaboration

• Translate financial data into actionable insights.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis projects.
• Contribute to the development of dashboards and reporting tools.
• Identify opportunities to enhance client value through process improvements and expanded advisory solutions.

Technology & Process Improvement

• Lead implementation and optimization of cloud accounting solutions.
• Identify opportunities to automate workflows and improve reporting processes.
• Assist clients in adopting best practices for accounting operations and internal controls.

Team Engagement

• Collaborate with team members across service lines to deliver integrated solutions.
• Review work prepared by Staff Accountants and provide timely feedback.
• Mentor and support the development of junior team members.
• Take ownership of client engagements with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Contribute to the continued growth and success of the CAAS practice through collaboration, process improvement, and exceptional client service.

What You Need to Succeed (Required Qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 3-5 years of accounting experience, preferably in public accounting, outsourced accounting, bookkeeping, or finance environments
• Experience preparing and reviewing financial statements
• Strong understanding of GAAP and accounting processes
• Experience managing month-end close and reconciliation processes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Intellectual curiosity with eagerness to embrace and master new processes
• Effective at documenting and communicating complex information clearly
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office

What Will Give You an Edge (Additional Skills)

• CPA license or active pursuit of CPA certification
• Public accounting experience 
• Experience in outsourced accounting, CAAS, or controllership services
• Proficiency with QuickBooks, Odoo, SAGE
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or reviewing the work of junior accounting professionals

The annual base salary range for this role is  $72,000-80,000. This range includes the anticipated low and high end of TSA's salary range for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on various factors, including experience, education and/or skill level.

At Ascend, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Ascend hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.