Audit Senior Manager or Director - Employee Benefit Plans in Chicago

Overview

Firm: Meaden & Moore is a leading CPA and business consulting firm, recognized for excellence in both the workplace and with our clients. We are a nine-time winner of The Plain Dealer’s Top Workplaces, a seven-time recipient of Ohio Magazine’s Best Places to Work and consistently ranked among the Top 50 Best of the Best Firms by Inside Public Accounting. These accolades highlight how our firm is managed and reflect our commitment to fostering a supportive and dynamic environment—one that nurtures career growth and provides long-term opportunities for advancement, leadership, and potential ownership.

Since 1919, we have been dedicated to delivering exceptional professional services across accounting, tax, forensic, and consulting disciplines. Our expert team—CPAs, CFEs, CFFs, advisors, and auditors—brings deep expertise, insight, and tailored strategies to help clients navigate complex challenges, enhance business success, and thrive in today’s global economy.

Opportunity

We are seeking a Senior Manager or Director with deep expertise in qualified retirement plans and a strong track record of business development. In addition to overseeing multiple employee benefit plan audits, this individual will play a key role in expanding client relationships, identifying new engagement opportunities, and driving growth within the practice. You will cultivate direct, trusted relationships with client leadership while developing and leading high‑performing audit teams.

This role offers an exciting entrepreneurial path to build and grow our presence in either the Chicago market or the Denver–Boulder region. You will have the opportunity to lead market development efforts with the full support, resources, and reputation of a 100+ year old, award‑winning CPA and business consulting firm behind you.

Why Join Us

• Lucrative Benefits & Equity Path : Comprehensive benefits package and a clear path to equity.
• Turnkey Support : Backed by a Midwest-based headquarters with 100+ years of reputation, culture, and infrastructure – while giving you the freedom to grow locally.
• Leadership Opportunities : If you have a strong commitment to results and a collaborative approach, we want you on our team.
• Dynamic Environment : Thrive in a fast-paced environment with a variety of activities and multiple projects occurring simultaneously. We offer a collaborative culture where entrepreneurial leadership is rewarded.

Responsibilities

• Key player on Client Services team to handle relationships in benefit audit projects.
• Work on multiple projects for clients relating to the benefit audits being performed.
• Oversight and review of external audit activities to ensure accuracy, completeness, relevance, and timeliness.
• Manage and supervise external Employee Benefit Plan audits in accordance with ERISA and other oversight regulations.
• Working with clients and audit teams to identify and promptly resolve audit and plan-related issues and make recommendations for operational or internal control improvements.
• You’ll build relationships with your clients and your engagement team while working collaboratively to improve the client’s overall financial reporting processes and help them better understand their plan processes and areas of risk.
• Maintain a working knowledge of and research findings regarding employee benefit plan trends and technical issues relevant to benefit plans.
• Effective client management on project deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to business development efforts and support firm growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• Possess strong knowledge of ERISA and key plan provisions.
• Have 10 to 12 years’ experience in the benefits field, with a focus on qualified plans.
• Possess CPA; additional Employee Benefit Plan certifications such as QKA are a plus.
• Possess exceptional interpersonal skills, attention to detail and strong organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated previous experience in audits, risk management, and compliance.
• Have a 4-year degree with a concentration in Accounting.
• Possess exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Have working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Outlook and PowerPoint).
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Be self-motivated and willing to work in a team environment.
• Demonstrate an aptitude in the following:

• Quantitative and qualitative research and analysis
• Building relationships and leadership ability
• Project management
• Business development

Our Commitment to and Benefits

Our human capital is the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of the individual life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company’s achievement as well.

We embrace and encourage our employees regardless of family or marital status, or expression, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Benefits/Compensation

Determining actual compensation relies on many factors including individual candidate experience, qualifications, and comparable benchmarks. Base compensation for this role typically ranges between $168,000 - $215,000 for the Denver-Boulder area and $175,000 - $225,000 for the Chicago area. Additionally, we offer discretionary year-end bonuses to supplement your compensation package.

We also offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes your choice of medical programs, generous PTO and holidays, 401k matching, profit sharing, various perks, and several bonus opportunities.