Senior Associate - Accounting Advisory

Job Description:

We’re KSM, one of the top 50 largest independent advisory, tax, and audit firms in the United States. But more than our size, it’s our people and culture that set us apart. We believe great things happen when people are supported, challenged, and given the freedom to do their very best work. That’s why we’ve built a workplace where your career and personal life can thrive together – where you have the flexibility to manage your time, the resources to grow, and a team that genuinely cares about your success.

We’ve been employee-owned since 2001, giving every team member a stake in our collective success. This ownership mentality fosters a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and excellence  – where new ideas are welcomed, different perspectives are valued, and you’re encouraged to explore what excites you most. Whether you’re expanding your skills, tackling new challenges, or making an impact beyond the office, we provide the resources and support to help you grow in the direction that’s right for you.

At KSM, your contributions matter – not just to the firm, but to your colleagues, clients, and the communities we serve across the U.S. If you’re looking for a place where you can do meaningful work, build lasting relationships, and grow in ways that align with what’s most important to you, we’d love to meet you.

Position Summary: 

KSM has a Senior Associate opportunity to join the Accounting Advisory group, a growing part of the firm’s Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) team. This role provides a dynamic and flexible environment with learning opportunities working with private equity and corporate clients on a range of accounting advisory engagements, with an emphasis on post-closing projects.  

As a Senior Associate, you’ll contribute meaningfully to engagements by owning key workstreams, preparing high-quality deliverables, and collaborating directly with client teams. You’ll have the opportunity to build deep experience in purchase accounting, purchase price adjustments, and post-close support, while also contributing to ad-hoc accounting advisory needs such as CFO/controller support, close process assistance, and technical accounting problem-solving. 

Responsibilities:   

• Assist in obtaining, organizing, and preparing data for purchase accounting (ASC 805) and purchase price adjustments, including review of purchase agreements and related schedules 

• Apply purchase agreement elements to opening balance sheets and price adjustment mechanisms, document assumptions and conclusions 

• Support meetings and discussions with target company management to obtain pertinent information; summarize outcomes and action items 

• Own assigned workstreams and deliverables, moving them toward completion while proactively identifying risks, open items, and next steps 

• Support clients in navigating post-closing matters and disputes by organizing facts, analyzing supporting documentation, and preparing schedules 

• Contribute to a variety of projects including accounting investigations, internal control/process consulting, audit support, and technical accounting memo writing 

• Support interim CFO/controller services by assisting with monthly close, account reconciliations, journal entries, and financial statement preparation  

• Help improve close and reporting processes by developing checklists, timelines, templates, standardized workpapers, and management reporting packages (KPIs, dashboards, variance narratives) 

• Assist with audit, lender, and other stakeholder readiness by organizing support, drafting PBC schedules, and coordinating communications  

• Collaborate effectively with project team leads to execute workstreams and ensure deadlines are met 

• Demonstrate strong client service by communicating clearly, meeting deadlines, and escalating issues early. 

• Handle engagement and admin related tasks in a timely and professional manner 

• Collaborate with team members regarding client issues and potential solutions 

Requirements/Qualifications:   

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; CPA preferred or actively pursuing  

• 2 - 4 + years of relevant experience in professional accounting services (audit, transaction services, or advisory) or similar relevant experience in mergers & acquisitions  

• Additional experience in industry is a plus 

• Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP with application (ASC 805 and ASC 810 exposure a plus) 

• Experience supporting purchase accounting, opening balance sheet work, and purchase price adjustment processes (strong interest and relevant audit exposure acceptable) 

• Strong Excel skills with the ability to build, maintain, and troubleshoot schedules, tie-outs, and support tables  

• Strong presentation and analytical skills, detail-oriented, able to identify issues, apply critical thinking, ask the right questions, and follow items through resolution 

• Strong project execution skills: able to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and communicate status/risks effectively 

• Able to adapt communication style to successfully convey objectives and outcomes to clients and internal team members 

• Comfortable supporting ad-hoc accounting advisory/CFO-controller services, including close support, reconciliations, journal entries, and management reporting 

• Able to quickly learn client processes and produce audit-ready workpapers 

• Ability to work in a fast paced, deadline-driven environment while managing client projects, requests, or challenges professionally 

• Minimal travel as needed to various client sites or Indianapolis (less than 5%)
  

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, veteran status, or any other protected category. 

KSM only accepts resumes directly submitted by a candidate and referrals submitted by current KSM employees. Unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles sent by staffing agencies and fee-based referral services will not be considered outside of a signed KSM vendor contract. KSM will not pay a fee to recruiters or agencies that do not have a signed KSM vendor contract.