Associate, Accounting Advisory

Associate, Accounting Advisory

About Palm Tree
Palm Tree is a modern M&A value creation firm that integrates financial consulting, operational consulting, and investment banking services. Founded in 2010, Palm Tree partners with private equity firms, business operators, and management teams through strategic events including acquisitions, carve-outs, recapitalizations, restructurings, integrations, and performance improvement initiatives.
Palm Tree’s Accounting Advisory practice supports clients across complex accounting and financial reporting matters, helping organizations navigate technical accounting challenges, strengthen financial reporting infrastructure, and improve finance and accounting processes within dynamic business environments. The Associate Position
The Associate is a key execution leader within Palm Tree’s Accounting Advisory practice. Associates are responsible for overseeing daily engagement activities, offering support and direction to junior colleagues, and ensuring consistent communication with clients.
This role requires strong technical accounting expertise combined with the ability to translate financial information into operational insights. Associates play an important role in helping clients improve reporting accuracy, strengthen accounting infrastructure, and optimize financial processes.
The ideal candidate will thrive in a client-service environment and be comfortable managing multiple engagements while delivering high-quality client deliverables. Core Responsibilities
Engagement Management

• Lead day-to-day execution of Accounting Advisory engagements
• Provide guidance, direction, and task management to junior team members
• Communicate regularly with clients regarding engagement progress and deliverables
• Ensure high-quality execution and timely completion of engagement milestones

Financial Reporting & Technical Accounting

• Prepare and review internal and external financial reporting packages
• Draft accounting memoranda, accounting policies, and technical accounting analyses
• Support external audit processes, including preparation of audit requests and supporting schedules
• Assist with purchase price accounting analyses and related journal entries
• Manage variance analysis across income statement, balance sheet, and operational reporting

Accounting Process Improvement

• Review and analyze existing accounting and finance processes to identify improvement opportunities
• Assess root causes of reporting inefficiencies or process bottlenecks
• Provide recommendations for improving month-end close processes, reporting cadence, and automation opportunities
• Support implementation of recommended process improvements within client organizations

Data Analysis & Operational Insight

• Perform detailed analyses on financial data and operational metrics
• Translate financial analysis into actionable insights that support operational decision-making
• Guide junior team members’ analysis of financial results and financial statements

Client Engagement

• Lead client meetings and conference calls related to financial reporting, operational discovery, and change management initiatives
• Communicate financial results and reporting insights to management teams
• Support the integration of Palm Tree reporting processes and deliverables into clients’ ongoing business operations
• Provide regular engagement status updates to senior team members

Team Development & Collaboration

• Train and mentor junior team members
• Support recruiting and onboarding initiatives within the Accounting Advisory team
• Begin participating in business development efforts and client relationship building

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Accounting required
• Active CPA license
• 4–5+ years of relevant professional experience
  • Prior experience within a Big 4 or national firm audit practice is required
  • Experience within advisory accounting, transaction accounting, or corporate accounting/finance environments preferred
• Familiarity with internal and external financial reporting requirements
• Experience managing multiple workstreams and supervising junior team members

strong technical accounting skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple engagements simultaneously. Candidates should also possess strong communication skills and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
Postgraduate degrees such as a Master of Accounting (MAC) or MBA are viewed favorably but are not required. Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary range of $100,000–$150,000 , with performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Competitive 401(k) program with employer matching contributions.
• Hybrid work environment with access to offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.
• Unlimited paid time off (PTO).
• Opportunities for career advancement within a merit-based, entrepreneurial culture.

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What to Expect When Applying

Whether this is your first time applying to Palm Tree or you’ve connected with us before, you are welcome to use this portal to submit an updated résumé, cover letter, or other materials. Our recruiting team will thoughtfully incorporate your most recent information into your existing application profile. And yes—we do read cover letters. In fact, the cover letter is a great place to demonstrate why you're qualified for a position, even if you do not meet all requirements.

Application Confirmation
After submitting your application, you will receive an email confirming that we’ve received your materials.

Initial Review
Once your application has been reviewed and added to our active candidate database, you will receive a second confirmation email. Timing for this step can vary based on current hiring needs and priorities, so we appreciate your patience.

Note: If a role is marked as an “immediate” opening, the posting will typically outline specific timelines for each stage of the process, including a potential start date.

Screening
If and when a suitable opportunity arises, a member of our hiring team will reach out to schedule an introductory conversation. The timing of this step is demand-driven and can vary.

Interviews
Qualified candidates will be invited into a formal interview process. As with earlier stages, timing may vary depending on hiring priorities and role requirements.

While we do carefully review every application, we are unable to provide individual feedback to all candidates due to application volume. We value transparency and sincerely appreciate your understanding.

Important Notice
Palm Tree is not currently engaging outside recruiters or headhunters for this search. Unsolicited résumé submissions from third parties may inadvertently disqualify a candidate. All interested and qualified candidates should apply directly through this portal.