Senior Audit Associate

Senior Accountant – Audit

Abacus! is hiring! We're an independent, full-service accounting and advisory firm providing audit, tax, accounting, and consulting services to businesses and individuals. As a rapidly growing organization with a strategic vision and dynamic growth plan, we're looking for professionals who want more than a job — they want meaningful responsibility and a career path with impact. We are seeking a Senior Associate to join our Audit team in Fayetteville, AR or Springfield, MO. This is a client-facing leadership role responsible for managing audit engagements, supervising staff, and delivering high-quality assurance services in a fast-paced public accounting environment. This position is well-suited for someone who thrives on accountability, can manage multiple engagements simultaneously, and is confident leading both people and client conversations.

What to Expect in This Role

Public accounting in audit is demanding. Engagement deadlines are firm, standards are rigorous, and expectations are high. Workloads fluctuate seasonally, and priorities may shift quickly. The current environment requires adaptability, resilience, and strong organizational skills. This is a highly visible role with direct client interaction and meaningful leadership responsibility. In return, you'll gain exposure to complex engagements, the opportunity to mentor developing professionals, and the ability to directly influence client outcomes and firm success.

Key Responsibilities

Audit Quality & Compliance

• Lead audit engagements from planning through completion in accordance with GAAS, GAAP, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Perform risk assessments and develop audit strategies tailored to client operations.
• Evaluate internal controls and financial reporting processes.
• Review workpapers, financial statements, and audit documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure compliance with firm policies, professional standards, and regulatory requirements.

Engagement Management & Execution

• Manage multiple audit engagements and deadlines concurrently.
• Coordinate engagement timelines, staffing, and deliverables.
• Identify audit issues and develop practical, value-driven solutions.
• Maintain organized and timely communication throughout the engagement lifecycle.

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned audit clients.
• Communicate audit findings, insights, and recommendations clearly and professionally.
• Foster strong, long-term client relationships built on trust and credibility.
• Address client questions and concerns in a timely manner.

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise and mentor audit staff, providing guidance, review, and constructive feedback.
• Support professional development and technical growth of team members.
• Promote accountability, collaboration, and high-performance standards.
• Partner with Audit Managers and firm leadership to strengthen team effectiveness.

Advisory & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve client processes and internal controls.
• Provide value-added recommendations to enhance financial and operational performance.
• Stay informed of regulatory updates, accounting standards, and industry trends.
• Collaborate across service lines to deliver integrated client solutions.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of public accounting experience with a focus on audit engagements.
• Strong understanding of auditing standards (GAAS), accounting principles (GAAP), and regulatory frameworks (PCAOB where applicable).
• Proven ability to manage multiple engagements and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in audit software, financial analysis tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to identify issues, analyze data, and develop practical solutions.
• Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and integrity.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA certification or active progress toward CPA licensure.
• Experience supervising audit staff.
• Experience with QuickBooks Online, UltraTax, and AdvanceFlow.
• Exposure to complex audit engagements or specialized industries.

Work Environment & Schedule

• Full-time, salaried, exempt position.
• Based in Fayetteville, AR or Springfield, MO.
• Some travel required for on-site audit engagements.
• Standard office hours with additional hours required during peak audit seasons.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation for this role is designed to reflect both core responsibilities and individual contribution. This position is paid on a salary basis using a total compensation model, which includes a base salary plus performance-based incentive pay through the firm's Balanced Scorecard (BSC) program. Incentive pay is earned and a portion paid monthly based on individual performance and is included as part of the role's total compensation. Compensation is determined based on experience, qualifications, performance, and role alignment within the firm.

• Flexible scheduling aligned with client deadlines and engagement responsibilities.
• Unlimited PTO planned in coordination with engagement schedules and peak seasons.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has supervisory responsibilities over audit staff and reports to the Audit Manager.

Physical & Position Demands

This position requires regular communication, close vision, and the ability to focus on detailed financial information. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. This job description does not list all the duties of the position. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed. Performance will be evaluated in part based on the successful execution of the responsibilities outlined above.

Abacus!, one of the fastest growing firms in the regional area, is wholly dedicated to helping our clients achieve their financial objectives while also allowing our employees to reach their greatest potential. Our team of Abacus Professionals provide a distinctive level of service in tax, audit, accounting, and business consulting. Our passion for our clients and employees is the driving force behind all our work and the reason we are recognized as an entrepreneurial leader.

Your Abacus Experience: You'll find that things are distinctively different here at Abacus, and we're proud of it. We center on one key component: people. We foster an environment of growth, trust, and confidence and you'll see it in daily interactions, hear it regular conversations, and live it as part of our Abacus Culture.

Our Award-Winning Firm: We're proud to be recognized by local, regional, and national organizations for our distinctive culture, great work environment, and our focus on ethics, quality and economic impact. Abacus' distinctions include:

• Inside Public Accounting's Top 300 Firm in the U.S. #280 – 2024, 2025
• An Inside Public Accounting's Fastest Growing Firm in the U.S. - 2024
• Accounting Today's No. 16 Fastest-Growing Firm in the U.S. – 2024
• An Accounting Today's Top Regional Leader in the Midwest – 2023, 2024
• Inside Public Accounting's Best of the Best Firms – 2023
• A Biz 417's Best Place to Work – 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• An Accounting Today's Top 100 Best Firms to Work For – 2009, 2010, 2020
• 2021 Better Business Bureau Torch Award Recipient – highlighting ethics and quality
• Finalist for Springfield Business Journal's Economic Impact Awards – 2021, 2023

Abacus! is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring decisions are administered without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.