PHA Audit Principal

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Dare to bring your unique perspective?

At Novogradac, we value individuals who bring unique perspectives and bold ideas. If you’re eager to contribute to an inclusive, innovative environment where your personal and professional growth is encouraged and supported, we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity with us.

Position Summary

The Principal will oversee a variety of audit and other assignments as designated by the Partner. The Principal should function with minimal supervision and increased focus is placed on managing client engagements, supervising and mentoring all levels of professional staff, identifying and developing new clients, consistently meeting required sales targets, and representing the firm externally in the business community.

This posting is primarily focused on Public Housing Authority (PHA) audit engagements. While the position operates within the Firm’s broader Tax/Audit practice, the individual in this role will spend the majority of their time supporting governmental and affordable housing clients and developing specialized expertise in PHA, HUD, and compliance-related audit work. The responsibilities, qualifications and expectations outlined in this job description apply broadly; however, day-to-day assignments and client work will be aligned primarily with PHA and HUD-related audit engagements based on business needs.

Your Contributions and Responsibilities

• Assume responsibility for all client engagements, including planning, staffing, timing, technical issues, cash collection and other decisions. Oversee completion of engagements, including identifying and solving problem areas during the engagement, with minimal oversight or assistance.

• Conduct thorough engagement reviews.

• Supervise and mentor all stages of professional staff, including guiding and educating them in technical areas, identifying professional development opportunities and maintaining a respectful team atmosphere.

• Complete annual performance evaluations for assigned staff and manage employee performance conversations.

• Identify, meet with and pursue new clients and sell work.

• Meet annual sales goals as listed in the Principal Goal Sheet.

• Find opportunities to turn acquired technical knowledge into high value-added opportunities for Firm clients.

• Promote the Firm’s image by participating on conference panels, contributing to Firm publications, attending recruiting events, conducting in-house and client trainings, etc. Meet marking goals as listed in the Principal Goal Sheet.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the value of enhancing the Novogradac brand by fostering collegial relationships with all Partners, employees, clients, and prospects of the Firm.

• Develop, strengthen and grow client relationships through professionalism, responsiveness and service-oriented approach.

• Enhance skills in the industries the Firm focuses on by seeking out and completing training courses. Develop your technical expertise. A Principal’s technical expertise should be recognized both inside and outside of the Firm.

• Seek out 3 technical review Partners. Be proactive in forming these relationships and obtaining commitment from both sides to ensure the Partner gets exposure to enough varied and complex work to gauge your level of technical expertise.

• Increase office and firm profitability by managing your time and the time of all professional staff efficiently, contributing ideas and adding value.

Your Background and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in accounting or finance (advanced degree is a plus) and 9+ years of experience in public accounting, and/or appropriate balance of education and work experience. CPA license required.

• Exhibit expert understanding of accounting and tax rules; a Principal should demonstrate the ability to produce technically correct, error free projects.

• Able to manage a fee base of at least $1,000,000 as Principal-1, increasing each subsequent year by amounts listed in the Principal Goal Sheet.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Demonstrate a level of intellectual curiosity.

• Consistently demonstrate strong personal, technical and professional judgment.

• Perform work accurately and in a time efficient manner, with strong attention to detail.

• Strong organizational and follow-through skills.

• Ability to effectively prioritize a fast-paced and varied workload, effectively manage a variety of concurrent and shifting priorities.

• Ability to accept constructive feedback from Partner group and make adjustments as directed.

• Ability to work collaboratively and foster a productive, team-oriented environment.

• Strong computer skills, including solid skill in the Microsoft Office suite (particularly Excel) and report writing tools.

• Maintain a professional demeanor with co-workers and clients.

• Strive to gain the confidence of the existing Partner group.

• Ability to meet internal Firm deadlines (time entry, billing, fee schedules, etc.)

• Available to work evenings and weekends based on position needs, and to travel domestically if required.

Experience with any of the following is helpful but not mandatory: Affordable Housing, Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Opportunity Zones (OZ), Renewable Energy Tax Credits (RETC), Historical Tax Credits (HTC), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), Real Estate, Developers, Partnerships, Housing Authority (HA), Public Housing Authority, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), Community Development Entity Certification Applications (CDE), Property Compliance, Nonprofit, Single Audit, Uniform Guidance, A-133, Forecasting, Cost Segregation, Year 15 Exit, Tax-exempt bond and HOME programs.

Why work with us?

Novogradac is committed to fostering a welcoming workplace where all employees feel valued and empowered to grow. We believe in offering a supportive, balanced work environment that encourages professional growth and work-life integration.

We are proud to offer:

• Increased number of paid holidays per year

• Competitive salaries with continuous review of market conditions

• Flexible working hours and work arrangements

• Remote and hybrid opportunities

• Inclusive workplace, providing strong professional growth and development opportunities

• The benefits of joining our team

• Strong growth opportunities

• Competitive benefits package

• 401(k) package with firm profit-sharing

• Discretionary annual bonuses for eligible positions & CPA bonus plan

• Strong emphasis on quality work-life integration

• Dress for your day policy

• Resources of a national firm

• Opportunities to engage with our active Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), affinity groups, and advance your career within a supportive, inclusive environment

• Compensation: $183,000 to $232,000 depending on experience. More is possible if experience dictates.

Don’t Meet Every Single Qualification?

After reviewing this job posting, are you hesitating to apply because you don’t meet all the listed requirements? At Novogradac, we are dedicated to building a workplace supported by unique perspectives and experiences, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

You may still be the right candidate for this or one of our other roles.

Get to know us better!

We’re Novogradac, a national certified public accounting and consulting firm headquartered in San Francisco. Founded in 1989, the allied group of Novogradac companies has grown to more than 900 employees and partners with more than 25 offices throughout the country.

Novogradac is one of the nation’s top 40 certified public accounting and consulting firms and is a recognized leader in real estate and community development. Novogradac provides publicly and privately held national enterprises with a full spectrum of audit, tax, valuation, expert witness and litigation support, property compliance and general consulting services and works extensively in the affordable housing, community development, historic preservation and renewable energy fields.

Ready to learn more?

To be considered for this position, interested candidates MUST apply via our company website:

Commitment to Inclusion

Novogradac is committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive recruitment process, making reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities or special needs throughout the application process. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to apply, as we believe that unique perspectives strengthen our ability to achieve excellence.

At Novogradac, we offer a variety of Employee Resource Groups and Affinity Groups to provide all employees with opportunities to connect, collaborate, and support one another in the workplace.

Novogradac & Company LLP offers a progressive work environment, competitive pay and an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, life/disability insurance, commuter flex accounts and a 401(k).

Novogradac and Company LLP is an equal opportunity employer. Novogradac’s culture is centered on education, acceptance, innovation and opportunity. We value diversity and respect the different perspectives that each of our employees bring to Novogradac no matter their age, race, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation. We are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive workplace for our entire workforce.

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