CFO Advisory, Senior Associate (GPS-State & Local Gov't)

As a Senior Associate in CFO Advisory Services, you will play a critical role in delivering accounting advisory engagements to state and local governments, higher education institutions and not-for-profits clients. You will support clients in navigating complex financial reporting, operational challenges, and value creation initiatives. This role combines technical accounting expertise, financial analysis, and business acumen to drive performance improvement and support transformational change.

As a Senior Associate, you can expect to support the following types of projects:

• Implementation of new accounting standards (GASB 101 and GASB 103)

• Complex financial statement close processes

• Help drafting and reviewing Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFRs)

• Cash to modified accrual or full accrual conversions

• Process improvement and organizational design

• Client interviews and stakeholder engagement to gather insights and validate assumptions

• Technology and AI strategy and enablement

• Large data set manipulation and problem solving

• Internal control and best practice evaluation

• Validation of information between multiple sources of financial information

What you need for this role:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience within a public accounting firm, or public sector environment performing external audit, consulting, or in the accounting and finance function

• Strong knowledge of governmental accounting standards (GASB)

• Prior experience with audit, accounting, and/or consulting standards (GASB, AICPA, GAS including Yellow Book/Green Book)

• Ability to navigate Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFRs)

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

• Strong organizational skills; enabling one to multi-task, adapt to dynamic environments, and meet project deadlines with a focus on details

• Effective oral and written communication skills

• Ability to utilize Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint

• Ability to travel if needed (less than 25%)

Preferred skills and experience:

• Licensed CPA (or in process of completing)

• State & Local Government or Not-for Profit or experience

• GFOA’s ACFR Special Review Process

• Experience with financial statement close process or proposing / reclassifying journal entries

• Ability to troubleshoot and solve account reconciliation issues

• Thrives working in a deadline-driven environment with a focus on details and accuracy

• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments successfully

• Solid organizational skills, especially the ability to meet project deadlines with a focus on details

• Team player able to move to effectively delegate work assignments as needed

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:

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 https://www.cbh.com/disclosure/ 

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. https://careers.cbh.com/legal-disclosures/ 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  https://careers.cbh.com/ and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  

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