Risk Advisory Senior Associate (State & Local Gov't) - Internal Audit

Ranked among the largest accounting and consulting firms in the country and consistently recognized as a Great Place to Work ( , Cherry Bekaert delivers innovative advisory, assurance and tax services to our clients. At Cherry Bekaert we create shared success through teamwork, energy, and expertise. We approach today’s toughest business challenges with a client-first mindset, working together to create exceptional value. We are all committed to making a difference for our people, our clients, our community, and our professions. To meet this commitment, Cherry Bekaert will provide you with the space to pursue growth and development opportunities that will guide and support you at each stage of your personal and professional journey.

To support the continued growth of our Risk Advisory for State & Local Government ( practice, an opportunity has been created for a Senior Associate to join our nationally distributed team performing risk and accounting consulting engagements. Our clients rely on our expertise to deliver solutions over operational and regulatory compliance risks, supporting them in the areas of internal audit, internal control assessments, risk assessments, as well as performance and compliance audits. A significant portion of the work performed centers in and around internal controls and the application of controls to effectively manage risks. This position will provide hybrid/remote flexibility, though candidates must be capable of performing work consistent with Eastern Time business hours to meet client commitments.

As a Senior Associate, you will:

Be responsible for performing engagement activities under the supervision of a project manager, participate in discussions with clients, and assist with drafting deliverables. As a member of the team, you will help clients protect and enhance the value of their organizations by leveraging their system of internal controls to enable growth, manage risk, and define sustainable operations. Types of projects you can expect:

• Internal audits for a broad range of clients; primarily focused on those within the public sector

• Internal controls testing

• Internal control maturity assessments

• Risk Assessments

• Audit Remediation

• Regulatory compliance assessments

• Risk data analytics and controls automation

• Forensic/investigative/internal review assistance (not to include litigation/expert witness services)

What you bring to this role:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance or other relevant business discipline

• Minimum 5+ years of experience within a Public Accounting Firm and/or Public Sector environment performing internal audits for state and local governments

• Must have completed 80 hours of CPE in the last two years; of these 80 hours, 24 must be specifically related to government auditing or the government environment

• Knowledge of internal accounting controls, professional standards and regulations and related systems

• Experience with audit, compliance, accounting, and/or consulting standards (IIA, AICPA, GAS including Yellow Book/Green Book)

• Prior experience with internal controls including flowcharts, documentation and testing of controls

• Prior experience with workpaper preparation in accordance with yellow book standards

• Strong background in assisting with corrective action resolution (experience with developing and implementing corrective action plans) and ability to train others to overcome problems and make corrections

• Solid organizational skills and capability to meet project deadlines with a focus on details and accuracy

• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time

Preferred skills/experience:

• Willingness to pursue relevant professional certifications such as CPA, CIA, CFA, CCSA, or CRMA

• Ability to utilize Microsoft office including pivot tables, access database and related add-ins

• Working knowledge of data analytics software such as Tableau, PowerBI, Python, Alteryx or similar technologies

• Demonstrated experience with forensic reviews (fraud/waste/abuse)

What you can expect from us:

• Our shared values that foster inclusion and belonging including uncompromising integrity, collaboration, trust, and mutual respect

• The opportunity to innovate and do work that motivates and engages you

• A collaborative environment focused on enabling you to further your career growth and continuous professional development

• Competitive compensation and a total rewards package that focuses on all aspects of your wellbeing

• Flexibility to do impactful work and the time to enjoy your life outside of work

• Opportunities to connect and learn from professionals from different backgrounds and with different cultures

Benefits Information:

Cherry Bekaert cares about our people. We offer competitive compensation packages based on performance that recognize the value our people bring to our clients and our Firm. The salary range for this position is included below. Individual salaries within this range are determined by a variety of factors including but not limited to the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education, knowledge, skills, and geographic location. In addition, we offer a comprehensive, high-quality benefits program ( which includes annual bonus, medical, dental, and vision care; disability and life insurance; generous Paid Time Off; retirement plans; Paid Care Leave; and other programs that are dedicated to enhancing your personal and work life and providing you and your family with a measure of financial protection.

Pay Range:

$92,500 - $120,000

About Cherry Bekaert

Cherry Bekaert, ranked among the largest assurance, tax and advisory firms in the U.S., serves clients across industries in all 50 U.S. states and internationally. For more details, visit

Cherry Bekaert provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. contains further information regarding the firm's compliance with federal, state and local recruitment and hiring laws.

This role is expected to accept applications for at least five calendar days and may continue to be posted until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.  

Candidates must demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States. Cherry Bekaert will not provide work sponsorship for this position.

Cherry Bekaert LLP and Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC are members of Allinial Global, an accountancy and business advisory global association. Visit us at  and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. 

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