{"id":1168757,"url":"https://alion.io/job/ascend-audit-associate","title":"Audit Associate","company":{"id":6169,"name":"Ascend","domain":"ascendtogether.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/ascend","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":75,"open_postings":34,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":1,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-09-25T05:45:01Z"}},"role":"Finance","role_family":"Finance","seniority":"junior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Chapel Hill, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":48000,"max_usd":95000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":568},"experience_years_min":1,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-08-04T17:03:04Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-22","last_verified_at":"2026-09-26T01:50:59Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":52,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":52},"description":"Who We Are\nAbout Ascend\nBacked by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a Top 25 firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. \nFor more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.\nAbout Blackman & Sloop\nAt Blackman & Sloop, we hire great people and give them a great place to work. We listen to what our employees value, and being a local firm gives us the advantage of flexibility. Our secret to retaining staff is a positive culture, strong community involvement, and a dedication to constantly increasing our competencies. We are a two-office firm, with locations in Chapel Hill and Greensboro, and approximately 45 full-time staff.\nFor 7 years, we’ve been honored as one of Accounting Today’s “Best Accounting Firms to Work For”! We’ve also been recognized by Business North Carolina as one of the “Best Employers in North Carolina” list for multiple years. Most recently, we are proud to have received the Best Companies Group award for Best Accounting Firms for Women in Chapel Hill.\nAs an independent member of the BDO Alliance, we have access to the resources of BDO USA, LLP, the world's 5th largest accounting and consulting firm. Additionally in May 2024, we made the strategic decision to join Ascend to usher us in our next stage of growth.\nThe Role\nWe are seeking an Experienced Audit Associate to work on a variety of audit engagements for commercial and nonprofit clients across the firm’s niche industries - including construction, auto dealerships, nonprofit organizations, and employee benefit plans. This role is suited to an audit associate with one to two years of public accounting experience who is ready to take on greater engagement responsibility while gaining exposure to a diverse client base.\nYou will perform alongside a team of colleagues, display excellent interpersonal skills, and take ownership of assignments from start to finish. The ability to multi-task and complete your work within time constraints and deadlines is key to your success in this role.\nKey Responsibilities\nSupport audit engagements for a diverse range of for-profit and nonprofit clients.\nPerform audit procedures in accordance with GAAS, firm methodology, and applicable accounting standards.\nTake ownership of assigned audit sections, including preparing workpapers, lead schedules, reconciliations, and account analyses.\nTie out trial balances, financial statements, supporting schedules, and disclosures for accuracy and completeness.\nAnalyze financial information, investigate variances, and document conclusions based on sufficient appropriate audit evidence.\nPrepare client write-ups, audit findings, proposed adjustments, and other engagement deliverables.\nAssist with audit planning, internal control documentation, financial statement preparation, and management letter recommendations.\nCommunicate clearly and professionally with clients and engagement team members.\nMulti-task across multiple assignments and complete work within established budgets, deadlines, and quality standards.\nApply U.S. GAAP, GAAS, and internal control principles to audit engagements.\nRequired Qualifications\nBachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.\n1-3 years of external audit experience in public accounting.\nWorking knowledge of U.S. GAAP, GAAS, internal controls, and financial statement presentation.\nExperience preparing audit workpapers, reconciliations, lead schedules, analytical procedures, and financial statement tie-outs.\nAbility to take ownership of assigned audit areas and complete work accurately within established budgets and deadlines.\nStrong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.\nAbility to work on multiple assignments and interact professionally with clients and engagement team members.\nCPA license, CPA eligibility, or active progress toward CPA licensure.\nWillingness to learn and use new technologies, including audit software, data analytics tools, and engagement-management systems.\nStrong work ethic, accountability, teamwork, and a good sense of humor!\nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience with audit data analytics, internal controls, risk assessment, or enterprise risk management.\nExperience with Excel and electronic audit workpaper or engagement-management software.\nAudit experience with construction companies, automotive dealerships, nonprofit organizations, employee benefit plan audits or other privately held businesses.\nExperience preparing financial statements, disclosures, management letters, audit findings, or proposed adjusting journal entries.\nInterest in developing technical expertise and progressing in their career.\nWho We Look For\nA bright, eager professional who comes to work excited to pursue their passion and grow alongside a team. Someone who values relationships as much as technical ability, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is committed to excelling and pursuing growth together.\nLocation & Schedule\nHybrid opportunity based in Chapel Hill, NC.\nWhat We Offer\nWe hire good people and give them a good place to work. Our secret to keeping them around is a positive culture, strong community involvement, and a dedication to constantly increasing our competencies. We truly believe that when you succeed, the firm succeeds, and we make sure you have whatever tools you need to make that success possible.\nJoin our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:\nFlexible PTO\nMedical, dental, vision, and voluntary insurance options\n401(k) matching\nPerformance bonus\n12 paid holidays\nOff-season Flex Fridays\nClosed on Fridays during the month of June\nCommitment to professional development\nHow to Apply\nSubmit your information in the application section directly below! This will include:\nBasic contact information\nResume/CV and optional cover letter upload\nWork eligibility, credentials, and compensation\nVoluntary demographic & self-ID questions\nFor questions or inquiries about the role, please reach out to Olivia Riley, Senior Recruiter, at . \nAt Ascend, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. 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