Assurance Acquisition & Integration Director (53067)

Citrin Cooperman offers a dynamic work environment, fostering professional growth and collaboration. We’re continuously seeking talented individuals who bring fresh perspectives, a problem-solving mindset, and sharp technical expertise. We know you have choices, so our team of collaborative, innovative professionals are at the ready to support your professional development. At Citrin Cooperman, we offer competitive compensation and benefits and most importantly, the flexibility to manage your personal and professional life to focus on what matters most to you!

We are looking for an Assurance Acquisition & Integration Director to join the Attest Operations team. They’re responsible for overseeing the smooth incorporation of acquired assurance practices into Citrin Cooperman & Company LLP. This role involves coordinating with National Assurance team members and acquired firm team members to execute a standard due diligence and integration plan, tailored to fit the unique requirements of each acquired firm. Responsibilities include evaluating the operational, methodological, and workforce aspects of each firm to effectively bridge any gaps and ensure efficient integration. Collaborating closely with the Managing Partner - National Assurance Operations, Partner in Charge of Quality and the Partner in Charge of Innovation, and regional and local office managing partners and assurance practice leaders, this position plays a crucial role in assessing and integrating new assurance practices.

We are seeking an ideal candidate who is intellectually curious, analytical, and innovative. The successful candidate will have strong emotional intelligence, effective communication skills, and the ability to make decisions and offer innovative ideas. They should be resilient, able to manage multiple projects efficiently, and possess strategic leadership skills. We appreciate someone who is a continuous learner and fosters a strong service-oriented culture within our teams. This role reports directly to the Managing Partner- National Assurance Operations.

Responsibilities are, but not limited to:

• Leading all activities for the Assurance service line to effectively evaluate and integrate an acquired firm assurance practice including:
  • Initial diligence procedures and evaluation against acquisition criteria
  • Assurance practice economics data gathering and evaluation
  • Human capital quality and staffing adequacy assessment
  • Quality review of assurance engagement workpapers, policies and procedures
  • Assessment of assurance methodologies, technologies, and innovations
  • Risk identification and assessment
• Leading the Assurance practice due diligence process, inclusive of conducting engagement level reviews
• Developing necessary integration project plan for acquired firms, including the incorporation of entity-specific matters identified during the due diligence process
• Evaluating and coordinating change management requirements, including but not limited to, incremental infrastructure needs, assurance specific systems and tools, human capital, migration related matters, and other related matters necessary to achieve fully integrated state
• Collaborating with Regional and Local Assurance Practice leaders, Integration Management Office, Operations, Information Technology, Human Resources, and other Service Lines to integrate acquired partners and professional employees, staffing and recruiting, migration and implementation of technology systems, and vendor contracts
• Identifying incremental acquisition costs and communicates to appropriate departments during pre-merger process
• Leading and oversees assurance integration project teams to implement all integration activities
• Leading and coordinating appropriate and necessary training programs for the acquired firms including:
  • Independence and conflict check processes
  • Policy and Procedure training
  • Methodology transfer training
  • Methodology and technology training
• Timely communication of project plan status, key past due and upcoming milestones, critical items and elevates issues identified and resolution plan to Assurance Leadership and Integration Management Office

The ideal candidate must have:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting
• 10+ years of prior experience in assurance practice of a large national or super-regional accounting firm; preferably with experience supporting firm M&A integration activities 
• Comprehensive understanding of assurance practice and firm operations and economics
• Comprehensive understanding of accounting principles and auditing standards
• Experience with commercial entities (manufacturing, distribution, real estate, construction, technology) preferred; employee benefit plan, not-for-profit or financial services is a plus
• Familiarity with audit software and automation tools, including CaseWare, CaseView, Suralink, Datasnipper, Validis, MindBridge, DAS, PPC, and other audit methodologies and workflow tools
• Prior experience developing and leading firm-wide audit training programs