Audit Senior Associate - Financial Services

About Grassi

After more than 40 years of business growth and industry change, Grassi has redefined what it means to be an advisor and accountant to today’s businesses and individuals. Nationally ranked as one of the largest and fastest-growing accounting firms in the nation, Grassi is a leading provider of advisory, tax, and accounting services across key sectors including construction, architecture and engineering, not-for-profit, healthcare, manufacturing and distribution, financial services, real estate, and more. Several publications have ranked us among the top accounting firms to work for, highlighting our strength in work-life balance, culture, and wellness categories.

With over 550 employees and nine offices spanning the New York Metropolitan Area, Long Island, the Northeast, Florida, New England, and an international presence in Italy, we are strategically positioned to serve clients locally and globally. In 2023, Grassi became an employee-owned company by implementing an ESOP, establishing our independence and empowering our people to drive the firm’s future success. The ESOP ensures that equity partners and all Grassi U.S. employees have the exclusive opportunity to own the firm’s stock, making them integral to the company’s future.

Job Summary

We are currently seeking a Financial Services Audit Senior Associate to join our team in our New York, NY office location. This role offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic and growing firm.

Financial Services Audit Seniors serve clients in the investment management industry, including hedge funds, private equity funds, and broker-dealers. The Audit Senior will lead audit engagements from planning through completion while supervising staff, reviewing complex financial data, and ensuring compliance with industry-specific accounting and regulatory standards. This role requires strong technical expertise, a detail-oriented mindset, and a deep understanding of financial products, fund structures, and valuation methods.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Leading financial services audit engagements from planning to issuance, including preparing financial statements in accordance with applicable GAAP and industry-specific frameworks
• Supervising, training, and mentoring associates and interns, reviewing their work for quality and accuracy, and providing timely feedback and development support
• Reviewing audit workpapers, financial statements, and reports to ensure compliance with professional and firm standards
• Evaluating internal controls and identifying areas of risk, inefficiency, or opportunities for improvement
• Preparing complex sections of audit documentation, including working papers, financial statement disclosures, and draft reports
• Researching and resolving complex accounting, auditing, and reporting issues using authoritative guidance and firm resources
• Collaborating with partners and managers to develop audit strategies and improve engagement efficiency and client service
• Examining financial and accounting records, agreements, fund documents, and other supporting materials to verify accuracy and completeness
• Testing internal controls specific to financial services operations, including trade processing, pricing, and calculations
• Investigating discrepancies between trade entry and accounting systems, ensuring correct trade capture and reconciliation
• Performing both qualitative and quantitative evaluations of hedge fund investments, strategies, and valuation methodologies
• Generating monthly trial balances, balance sheets, and income statements for a variety of investment funds
• Determining the extent of test-checking and substantive procedures based on risk assessments and client-specific factors
• Preparing audit working papers and indexing documentation in accordance with firm and regulatory standards
• Drafting client-ready reports, footnote disclosures, and financial statement qualifications for partner and client review
• Managing multiple engagements simultaneously while ensuring timely completion within budgeted hours
• Communicating with client personnel to clarify issues, provide updates, and present audit findings professionally
• Utilizing audit software such as ProSystem fx Engagement or equivalent to manage workflow in a paperless environment

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required
• Minimum of 3-5 years progressive audit experience; previous experience in public accounting required
• Audit experience in private entities in the broker dealers, hedge fund, fund-of-funds and private equity industries required
• Strong audit skills with proficiency in US GAAP, US GAAS and PCAOB standards
• CPA license preferred or actively pursuing CPA certification
• Proven ability to supervise and lead staff while working collaboratively in a team environment
• The willingness and ability to work additional hours, as needed, and travel to various client sites
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, initiative, and leadership skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Accounting software such as QuickBooks, CaseWare, ProSystem fx Engagement, CCH, etc.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment
• Maintains a high level of professionalism and consistently demonstrates respect for others
• Ability to travel as needed
• Work authorization required; we do not sponsor or transfer work visas

Why Grassi?

Our firm is consistently ranked by Vault.com and the Best Places to Work group for our commitment to compensation, paid time off, work-life balance, culture and more. Some of the ways we accomplish this include:

Flexibility: Our work-life balance initiatives include generous paid time off, flexible “Dress for Your Day” dress code, telecommuting options, flex-time policies, and summer hours, enhanced by our Floating Summer Friday’s program, which allows team members three extra Fridays off during the summer months in addition to their PTO.

Company Culture: Here at Grassi we are dedicated to creating an environment for our team members that is positive, productive, and aligns with our company’s high standards of inclusivity, diversity, and equity. We work closely with our DEI Council and Grassi Women’s Council to organize events throughout the year to bring the firm together for open dialogue and awareness of global diversity issues. Through our charitable initiative, Grassi Gives Back, we proudly support organizations such as Ronald McDonald House, Toys for Tots, Autism Speaks, Long Island Cares, and many of our nonprofit clients.

Benefits Package: Competitive base compensation with eligibility for a raise and bonus each June or December based on performance metrics and level. Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, employer contribution to life insurance, 401(k) plan, ESOP, and client and employee referral bonus program.

ESOP Owned: The ESOP ensures that equity partners and all Grassi U.S. employees have the exclusive opportunity to own the firm’s stock, making them integral to the company’s future. Unlike many other ESOPs, Grassi’s is privately funded, with no outside investors or private equity firms involved in the plan.

CPA Incentive: Financial assistance toward the achievement of the CPA certification which includes the cost of the CPA study materials, CPA exam registration and sitting fees for all 4 parts (up to 2 x per part), plus the CPA application and licensing fees.  Paid study time during work hours, additional paid time off to take your scheduled exam and a bonus paid upon passing the CPA exam.

Learning and Development: We offer Continuing Professional Education (CPE) opportunities, including both technical and soft skills training. These opportunities are available through internal courses and external programs led by well-known industry instructors, all at no cost to our employees.

Wellness Resources: Discounted gym memberships and various wellness initiatives and programs such as the CALM app that helps our team members lower stress, decrease anxiety, improve focus, and get more restful sleep.

Compensation for this role is determined based on a combination of factors, including but not limited to your relevant experience, skills, certifications, and geographic location. We strive to offer competitive, equitable pay, that reflects the value each team member brings to the organization. In addition to base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes performance-based incentives, wellness and retirement programs, and opportunities for continuous professional development.

Salary ranges are provided to offer transparency and may vary depending on final candidate qualifications and local market conditions. Please find compensation information below for candidates residing in the following market(s):

New York ranges are from $80,000 - $110,000

Recruitment Fraud Notice: Grassi Advisory Group, Inc. and its affiliated entities (“Grassi”) will never ask candidates to pay fees, purchase equipment, or provide payment information. Legitimate recruiting communications from Grassi are sent only from an @grassiadvisors.com email address and will not be conducted via text message, WhatsApp, or other messaging apps. If you are unsure about a communication, do not respond, please verify it by calling Grassi’s main phone number listed on our official website.