Senior audit associates are required to execute all phases of the audit process, including financial analysis, planning, substantive testing, and issuance of opinion; present audit findings to management and prepare financial statements.

Senior Audit Associates Job Description

Senior audit associates perform various functions in ensuring effective oversight of auditing duties in an organization.

The following job description example shows typical senior audit associate duties, tasks, and responsibilities:

• Plan, develop strategies and supervise fieldwork team in all phases of an audit engagement
• Prepare financial statements and require disclosures in compliance with policy and regulations
• Perform planning, creating, and developing assignments
• Identifying and resolving assurance engagement
• Work closely with staff and partners on practice development and client management
• Perform reviews of clients for compliance with Uniform Guidance/Circular A-133
• Monitor engagement status and budget requirements for profitable and timely completion
• Research technical issues that arise during an engagement
• Develop and interact relationships with accounting staff, CFOs, and Controllers
• Train and manage teams (up to three members) with or without any experience
• Carry out private and public audits of financial statements in accordance with PCAOB and GAAP standards
• Help clients implement and test Sarbanes Oxley controls
• Listen to subordinates needs
• Carry out substantive audit procedures over various income statement and balance sheets
• Frequently perform analytical procedures to identify unusual or unexpected trends in relation to expectation and performance
• Conduct internal control test work and perform walkthroughs to ensure compliance with COSO framework
• Report issues immediately to the engagement team and collaborate to resolve them
• Communicate with audit senior management to create more efficient testing strategies using data.

Senior Audit Associate Requirements – Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge for Career Success

When hiring for the senior audit associate role, employers generally require prospective applicants to meet some specific requirements to show that they are the perfect fit for the job and can effectively perform the obligations, objectives, and purpose of the role.

Shown below are major requirements that prospective applicants seeking the senior audit associate job must meet to be hired:

• Possession of a degree in Accounting or its equivalent
• Must have strong technical accounting skills with proficiency in SSA, SFRS, ISA, and SFRS
• Must be able to lead and supervise projects
• Possess excellent communication and client service skills
• Have strong presentation, written, and verbal skills
• Should be able to manage multiple engagements and compete priorities in a suitable environment
• Willing to collaborate and build rapport effectively with others
• Showcase strong mentoring, recruiting, leadership, and training skills
• Have project management, organizational, and analytical skills
• Have strong computer skills
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and audit preparation software
• Ability to work extra hours when such need arises
• Be willing to travel to different clients sites as needed
• Possess a minimum of 3 to 5 years of progressive audit experience
• Should reside and be able to work in the country where the organization is situated
• Should be productive in an inclusive and collaborative work environment
• Must have sound judgment regarding sensitive and confidential matters
• Have an excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Should be able to pay attention to accuracy and detail
• Possess good work ethic and the ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Have good interpersonal relationship skills
• Possess excellent critical thinking ability to provide the solution to challenges
• Excellent stress and time management skills
• Must possess great mental and emotional stability
• Possess strong ability to work under intense pressure
• Possess excellent psychological skills
• Must be able to demonstrate excellent social skills
• Ability to remain calm and patient when faced with challenging situations.